Another holiday season, another batch of timesaving, sanity-saving, family-fun apps.
These apps are the best in cooking, shopping and good, old-fashioned holiday fun—well, maybe not so old-fashioned. Either way, you’ll want to keep your tablets and smartphones close this year!
Cooking
Gojee: Thanksgiving Recipe Collections (free): Get creative with your holiday feast this year with Gojee. They’ve done all the hard work for you, finding the best of the best Thanksgiving recipes from the finest food blogs. Search by type of dish or ingredient, and mark your favorites for easy access later.
Substitutions ($0.99): Accommodate all of your holiday guests, from the vegetarians to the gluten-free and lactose-intolerant diners, with this handy app. Search by ingredient or dining preference (including swaps for low-fat and low-sodium dishes) and Substitutions offers up practical suggestions for replacements.
Martha Stewart Cookies ($1.99): This app keeps making our list of best holiday apps with good reason. Want unlimited access to Martha’s recipe library? You’ve got it! Save your favorites in your own library, browse recipes by category, and use the built-in timer during baking. (For even more cookie recipes, don’t miss Holiday Cookies Yule Love.)
Must-Have Recipes from Better Homes and Gardens (free): Go digital with your classic Better Homes and Gardens Red Plaid cookbook, and gain access to more than 570 free recipes. Browse by type of dish, and cook up everything from Lemony Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Parmesan Cheese for Thanksgiving dinner to Sausage and Fontina Frittata on Christmas morning.
Shopping
BlackFriday.fm (free): If you’re waking up before the sun comes up to snag Black Friday deals, you better know what you’re hunting for. Find all major Black Friday deals, ads and news in one easy-to-browse database.
RedLaser (free): Don’t leave for the malls without RedLaser on your phone. Scan a product barcode to compare prices, see reviews and find the best deals near you. You can also search for products by name in advance to score savings before you hit the road. Black Friday shopping has never been easier.
Shopular (free): Keep coupons conveniently organized right on your mobile device. Shopular gives you access to coupons from major retailers, such as Macy’s, Gap, Best Buy and even art stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics. Get real-time alerts when stores add new deals so you never miss a discount.
The Christmas List ($1.99): Take the stress out of gift giving with this all-star organizing app. Create personalized shopping lists, track budgets and gift status (shipping, received and wrapped), share lists via email, and even password protect your gift ideas to ensure everything stays under wraps.
Holiday Fun
Cardmento – Holiday Photo Cards (free): Create magical holiday cards in a snap. Choose a holiday-themed template, take (or upload) your picture, and order your cards—all from the convenience of your smartphone. Then pick up the finished cards and matching envelopes at your local Walgreens. (Bonus: This app was created by Highland Park native Jason Muslin!)
ValslistRadio ($2.99): From our very own Val Haller, ValslistRadio is your perfect party companion. This music-streaming app is designed to help busy adults keep up with new music, and her ready-made playlists are ideal for holiday entertaining. Just plug in your device and let ValslistRadio create the soundtrack to your party.
Dr. Seuss Camera – The Grinch Edition ($1.99): Snap silly photos and create Grinch-themed holiday cards to send to family and friends. Trust us, this one is equally fun for kids and adults.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ($5.99): Break out the iPad and share this holiday classic with your little ones. This digital book uses the original dialogue, sound effects and music from the 1973 animated classic. Touchable animations, interactive games and all-new art brings this tale to life.
Travel
If you’re headed out of the country for the holidays, make sure you have these 10 travel apps ready to go!
