Best Apps for the Holiday Season

What are the best apps for getting thru the Christmas season? While it's hard to narrow it down to just a few, these are the ones that I have used in the past (and still use) or have recently discovered and love. Some will help if you have little kids and others just help you organize your shopping, lists, and events!

Amazon - Let's face it - you need this app 365 days of the year... not just for Christmas.  Some of its best features include having access to your wish lists (or theirs!), the ability to scan a barcode and compare prices (I love doing this in the store.) and 1-click ordering.

Etsy - I'll admit, I'm a little Etsy-nutsy this year, but that's because I have so many folks to buy for who aren't easy, and I'm trying to support small businesses as much as possible. The one thing with Etsy, though, is that there is a LOT of stuff in there, so it's nice to have an app that I can flip thru when I have time waiting in line, etc.

WaNeLo - Wanelo or WAnt, NEed, LOve is one of the newer social shopping apps that takes what you save and builds on it to suggest other things you may like or makes recommendations based on others who like the same thing. You can buy within the app which makes it an awesome app - and maybe just a little dangerous!

Santa's Big Helper - I got this app 2 years ago, and it's one of my all time favorites. It has the "front end" for the kids that includes trivia, games, Elf updates (where the elves tell the kids what's going on at the North Pole), and even an area where they can check to see which list they're on. The adults have a spot that is locked and that's where the magic is. My favorite part of this is that you have the "elf cam."  You take a picture of your fireplace (or your room if you don't have one), and it drops an animation of Santa bringing the goods in. My younger kids were AWE STRUCK when they watched it Christmas morning.

Christmas Advent Calendar - If you like finding new apps, this is the app for you. Every day you get to play a teaser game and then get a new app! What's not to love!?

Gifts HD 2 - I saved the best for last. I. Love. This. App. Another one that I discovered a couple of years ago, and due to the fact that I emailed the support team with questions, have had the honor to be on the inside track for updates, beta, etc. This app is incredible and is the only way that I can keep on track and on BUDGET during the holidays. You can have multiple events (Christmas, birthdays, etc.), and you can review what you've done in years past. The only thing that I wish this app did is to let you know if you're over budget when you set up your people and their individual budgets, but I'm sure it's coming.

So those are my top apps for Christmas... I'd love to hear what your favorites are!!