We all know that Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year, despite it being portrayed on every advert, every instagram picture and Facebook as the most wonderful, magical happiest family time. Nowadays though, we can definitely get some help from technology and I’ve collated a list of some of the most useful apps to make life easier for you this festive period with the help of some fellow bloggers. Just search the apps on your phone and give them a go! (I was invited to attend a zoom event for Moonpig to see their app in action and received a goody bag.)
Apps for Sending Cards and Gifts
It can feel like we’re very far away from loved ones at the moment and as we are now going to have a much more limited time to go out and buy gifts and cards, these apps are great for ordering from home.
First up, the Moonpig app. It’s an absolutely fantastic way to send cards to loved ones, particularly at a time when we are trying to avoid going out to too many places. They have an enormous selection of cards to suit all tastes and it is ridiculously easy to send cards. You can store all your addresses on it (and put in peoples’ birthdays and get reminders about it!) then select your card, the person that you want to send it to and customise the card. The loveliest feature is that you can put your own writing on it, you write on a piece of plain paper your message, or get your kids to draw a special picture and then simply scan it in and watch it appear in your card like magic. You can also add on gifts from their huge array of flowers, plants, chocolate, gin and so so much more, we had a lovely evening with them making cocktails and creating a glorious flower display. The other option is to create your own photo Christmas card and then with a few clicks, you can send the same card to lots of different people, simply editing the text or message inside and choosing your recipient. A very modern version of a round robin! App Available here – Free Suggested by: Jo, A Rose Tinted World and Danni, Monkey and Pal.
I’ve built wish-lists on the Amazon app so that family can buy and send presents directly this year so they don’t have to worry about going to the post office! App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Danni, Monkey and Pal
I will be using the Etsy app to buy British and buy things that you can’t get from the high street? I think considering everything going on that we need to support small businesses, be they local or online. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Jo, A Rose Tinted World
Advice from a well seasoned expat in the Middle East here! For me… and it’s pretty specific…. it’s the Selfridges app. It delivers to Qatar to my door and is cheaper than here 
I guess all online shopping apps help with lockdown! App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Laura, Life After Baby Kicks
Money Saving Christmas Apps
I use Christmas Gift List every Christmas to keep track of everything. The app enables you to add different names and give each person a different icon and budget. You can also add presents that you plan to buy, and then you can mark them off as you have purchased them and even wrapped them! Also it’s free! App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Jada, Unique Young Mum.
Another way to utilise the Amazon app: I store lists in Amazon so I can at later date then search Google to find cheapest prices of all the items, some end up as Amazon and some don’t! App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Claire, Single Parent Pessimist
I use Topcashback when making online purchases. Makes Christmas easier as you save money which you can then reclaim as cash or vouchers. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Emma, Emma’s Savvy Savings
Organisational Apps for Christmas
One of the biggest causes of my stress at Christmas is not feeling on top of things, did I buy for so and so, did we order enough food, who is in charge of what! These apps help to keep you organised year round but are great for Christmas planning between families.
Simple one but so useful – Pinterest! So easy to find and save Christmas recipes ideas. My husband and I have a collaborative board and we pin recipe ideas on the lead up to the big day. Having all the recipes is one place makes it easier when it comes to creating a shopping list. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Nicola, Mummy To Dex
I used Trello last Christmas as I use it most days anyway. You can make a board listing all the people you want to buy for and create checklists as and when you buy them. You can also share them so your partner can access them. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Lisa, Baby Not Included
We use Notes which is as simple as it sounds. We add our whole Christmas list to it in one section and the Christmas food. We can share it with each other and as one updates the list it updates in real time. It really saves us both time as it means we can pick up presents as we see then cheap and know exactly what we’ve both brought. It’s a life saver! App Available from Apple Play Store – Free Laura, Savings for Savvy Mums
Apps for Staying in Touch
This year more than ever we are going to be feeling like we are far from people we love and so anything that can help bring us together is a winner in my book!
WhatsApp is everything to my family right now sharing our Christmas dinners, decorations and gift ideas will be so easy with WhatsApp and make us feel more connected. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Becky, Eat Simply
I don’t think we can get away without mentioning Zoom in here! Great for get togethers with lots of friends or family. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free
Festive Apps for Children
We all know Christmas is about the kids and there are some great apps out there for adding even more magic to the whole experience.
I use NORAD Tracks Santa so the children can see the progress of the big man and it helps to encourage them to go to bed so they don’t miss out on a visit! App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Nikki, Nikki Knight Copywriting
Portable North Pole. You basically get the big FC to tell your kids to behave so you don’t have to! Read the review here. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Fran, Whinge Whinge Wine
Apps for Health this Christmas
Keeping fit, active and not letting the stress affect your mental health is vital at this time of year and these apps should help you to achieve that!
The pedometer app is currently our most loved app in the family. We use it to compare how far we’ve walked each day. Great to boost motivation and focus on our health and wellbeing during this pandemic. App Versions Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Yvette, Uplifting and Inspiring Media
Christmas is amazing but also quite stressful. There is so much to remember and do in preparation for the big day and sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. I’ve recently got the Calm app which I use in the evenings to help me sleep and I definitely think I’ll be using it lots during the stressful (but magical!) build-up to Christmas. App Available from Google Play Store and Apple Play Store – Free Ella, Typical Mummy
Another way to make Christmas easier is to check out my gift guides for this year, I have a variety, Rainbow Lovers, Dinosaur, Outdoor Loving Kids, Small Business/Eco Conscious and Buzz Toys.
Recent Comments