Absolutely. I'm packing for my Christmas trip home today. The laptop, digi-cam, and money stay with me. So do the Christmas presents even though they're all pretty cheap, I don't want them getting smashed.
My clothes go in the checked bag... I'll be mad if I lose my Christmas dress, but otherwise, it's all easily replacable.
Of course I do my best not to have to check things at all, but this time that's not possible.
If you hand carry Christmas gifts, don't wrap them. A nicely wrapped box with a ribbon is an invitation to a TSA agent to require that you open it to be searched!
You are wise. As for the Christmas gifts you are taking on...planning ahead there too is good cause you can purchase things that are soft and unbreakable. You can always wrap them once you are at your destination. Hope you dont' lose your Christmas dress too. But, if you did...you can always wear a nice pair of casual slacks and nice top. :) Dont' know where you are going but hope wherever your destination is you have a safe trip and a very, Merry Christmas!!!!!!