Why not just order something from local before you get there for drop off. You can use doordash for that with agreed date and time. 
Since they’re being AH to you I go the high road and act better and do more to show how AH they really are 

Example: we were at a casual pub movie night with a 6 month old who was making happy noises in a replay of a movie. Think movie in a park except in a pub.
This older guy was all upset about these noises that were not crying. So we walked up with cash in hand and said hey let us buy your ticket and the first round. Suddenly he’s red in the face and other people are like good job for calling him out because your baby isn’t doing anything wrong.

Bring food make it nice and say loudly phew that airport was a mess glad you like the cake I had delivered 

Since you’re flying in. NTA. But offer to pay the host to buy something extra that would be your “contribution”. Personally when I have a family dinner, I’ll tell people what I am serving and if they want anything extra, then it’s on them to provide it. But I also know there’s people out there that have guests help provide the meal in potluck fashion with things being very specific to holidays. So I understand that’s their way of doing things too.

These are incredibly rude people. Ask if they’d like you to pick something up at the airport or pack it in your carryon for TSA to confiscate.

If they’re fine with airport food, by all means get a bunch of pastries or whatever you can find.

Never mind the cost and hassle of coming across the country, expecting an out of town guest to bring food for the event is bizarre.

Bank the ticket if it’s not refundable and volunteer at a shelter.

It’s really ridiculous of them but you can order a dessert from any of the airport restaurants, like a whole cheesecake or some such shit and pick it up on your way out. However, it’s really a lot to ask, frankly, since you’re flying in. As others have suggested, you could order something and have it sent over the day before. Still, your family/friends are being pretty thoughtless.

My aunt who lived an hour away always showed up with a large bag of M&Ms and a bowl from the dollar store. “I don’t cook and I’m proud of it.” That was her contribution for decades.

There may have been some eye rolling but damn those M&Ms always got eaten haha!

You could look into having something delivered. You could pack some special candy or something that would travel well in your luggage. You could ask your sister to buy something and make sure you pay for it. Or skip the Christmas Eve party.

NTA but you really should bring a bag of McDonald’s apple pies from the airport & drop it on the table like a petty jerk in front of everyone. Make sure it rattles the dishes when it thunks down. “I bright the pie you demanded!”

Order from a place that delivers, it isnt hard. I didnt go to holidays in Florida but sent deserts all the time from anyplace, even Omaha Steaks, You could have gotten New York cheesecakes delivered.

NTA, but you could Uber Eats or Door Dash something for delivery the day before. If they complain, tell them you did the best you could under the circumstances and take your dessert home.

You know what? Bring some nougat. “That’s all that would fit in my suitcase”. If they’re disappointed, well they shouldn’t have asked the person who is flying should they?

NTA.

Don’t sweat it, it’s just the one person texting you that said wow okay. Whoever it was that texted you is the AH. That does not mean that message was from the entire family.

NTA You won’t have time to make anything and it is hard to bring something. Is there a local bakery you can order from that would also deliver to your family member’s home?

Depends if your driving or flying.

Driving….no excuse you can make something or pick up something the day before.

Flying I’ll give you a little bit more leeway.

Who the hell expects camo,y that is traveling ingrown town to provide a dish? You have no car. No kitchen. You’re tired, and have a suitcase you’re lugging around.

Are you driving or flying?

If the latter, NTA. If you’re driving, what are they expecting? If something store-bought then surely you could make a stop-off?

NTA

I suppose you could pick up a Toblerone from an airport gift shop but you’re not going to have any other options than that.

Order a fruit cake from Walmart and have it delivered. Otherwise, they need to deal with reality.

NTA

NTA Call someplace and have something delivered to their house. Or stop at grocery store and grab a cake.

Your already paying to get there, they should not have asked you to bring anything … it’s ridiculous

NTA. Sounds like after you land you need to stop at a gas station and get some Hostess treats.

NTA. Is it too late to cancel your plans? You’ve just been given a preview of your holiday.

I would just ask another attendee to grab a desert ( Costco pies?) And reimburse them…

Tell them you’ll bring trifle then tell them it was confiscated at the airport 🤷

NTA but I dare you to buy something unexpectedly candy bars at the airport 😂

Absurd of them to expect a guest flying in that evening to bring anything.

Where exactly will /can you shop for dessert after 6pm Christmas Eve?

They are disrespectful assholes. Most places will be closed by then.

NTA
I wonder if you can bring a package of Oreos on a plane? LMAO

Uber Eats delivery of those cinnamon breadsticks from Pizza Hut?

If you’re driving, a store-bought option should do just fine.

NTA what are they expecting from a person who is flying in?!

Ask your sister to pick up a pie for you and pay her for it.

I would never ask a guest who is flying in to do this.

NTA. That is a completely unreasonable expectation.

NTA, you’re already doing a lot to get there.

Don’t even go. They aren’t worth the effort.

They need a severe dose of harsh reality

Buy crappy cookies from the airport.

Buy a box of candy at the airport