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Post date: Dec 19, 2018 10:53:20 PM
With the Hallmark channel featuring movies about romances set against a backdrop of snowflakes and snowmen, the holiday season isn’t far behind. Most of us are looking ahead to family gatherings, road trips, and gift exchanges, and wondering how we will get it all done. Maybe it’s time to check out a few new apps for our smart phones and tablets.
1. Get organized! Create and share a calendar to manage all of those family events, such as dinners with the grandparents or in-laws, gift exchanges, kids’ school programs, church events, and community events. My family prefers Google calendar, since it works for both Apple and Android devices. Download the app, open it up, and you can create a new calendar for the holidays. Here’s how. Look at the left-hand side of the calendar, and you will see your list of calendars. You can click on the x to create a new one, which you can name. Then, you can share it with family and friends by going into settings and sharing.
2. Share “wish lists” with the notes App, Amazon wish lists, or Google Keep.
2. Share “wish lists” with the notes App, Amazon wish lists, or Google Keep.
If you want Grandma to get the right size of pajamas for the little ones, share a wish list that includes sizes (and favorite colors) for each child or family member. You can do this several ways: the first one is to create a simple list with your phone’s note app that is then emailed to recipients.
If you want Grandma to get the right size of pajamas for the little ones, share a wish list that includes sizes (and favorite colors) for each child or family member. You can do this several ways: the first one is to create a simple list with your phone’s note app that is then emailed to recipients.
You can also use Google Keep, a web-based note app that you can view on your PC, that is also available as an app for your phone or tablet. It’s very versatile: add text, photos, or links and then share the note. First, download the app and create the wish list: then select list actions and share to send it someone.
You can also use Google Keep, a web-based note app that you can view on your PC, that is also available as an app for your phone or tablet. It’s very versatile: add text, photos, or links and then share the note. First, download the app and create the wish list: then select list actions and share to send it someone.
A wish list can be a good idea if you want to avoid getting three of the same toys for a child but you might want to keep it to 3 to 5 items to avoid encouraging five-year-old children from getting greedy and listing 25 pricey toys.
A wish list can be a good idea if you want to avoid getting three of the same toys for a child but you might want to keep it to 3 to 5 items to avoid encouraging five-year-old children from getting greedy and listing 25 pricey toys.
Finally, you can also use the Wish List feature built into Amazon, and here is how:
Finally, you can also use the Wish List feature built into Amazon, and here is how:
Start by asking your family members to install the Amazon app (for Android and iOS). On your own phone, open Amazon and navigate to your wish list. Then tap List Actions followed by Share to send it to someone else. This works particularly well because, when a family member or friend clicks through and buys a gift, that item disappears from the list so no one else can purchase it.
3. Plan road trips with Apple Maps or Google Maps
3. Plan road trips with Apple Maps or Google Maps
Road trips can get stressful enough: make sure you know the best route so that you can let family or friends know when to expect you. Apple maps and Google maps give you options to avoid traffic and let you know how long it should take to arrive at your destination. It also helps you anticipate possible places to stop, especially for longer trips.
4. Entertain guests with music from apps like Spotify
4. Entertain guests with music from apps like Spotify
Many families have a holiday DJ of sorts, who digs out his or her stash of holiday CDs and a CD player. However, what if you don’t want to listen to the whole album? Of course, you can use smartphone apps like Spotify to put together a playlist of everyone’s holiday classics. You can even share your playlist.
Or, there are other options!
5. Check out an app called Christmas Radio, where you can choose from a variety of channels, including Countdown2 Christmas Radio, Santa Radio, Radio X-Mas, and others. You can play classic favorites, country Christmas, jazzy Christmas, and more. Touch the little radio icon at the bottom of the app and it brings up more options: Oldies, 70s, 80s, 90s, etc. The icon for this app is a white Santa beard on Red. This app might come in handy on those road trips, when you can pair your phone with your car, and play the music through your car’s speakers.
6. Explore the options with another app called Christmas all-in-one. Created by Rocket Splash Games, this app is easy to navigate. The tools at the bottom include 1) Countdown (how many days until Christmas?), 2) Wallpapers (to decorate your phone), 3) Music and 4) More, such as the song lyrics to the familiar old Christmas carols. The app also includes ten Christmas stories, including popular classics by Charles Dickens, O Henry, Hans Anderson, and Clement Moore.
6. Explore the options with another app called Christmas all-in-one. Created by Rocket Splash Games, this app is easy to navigate. The tools at the bottom include 1) Countdown (how many days until Christmas?), 2) Wallpapers (to decorate your phone), 3) Music and 4) More, such as the song lyrics to the familiar old Christmas carols. The app also includes ten Christmas stories, including popular classics by Charles Dickens, O Henry, Hans Anderson, and Clement Moore.
7. Have fun with your family and friends using The Grinch edition of Dr. Seuss Camera. This app lets you take selfies--or pictures of other people—with your device, after selecting a photo frame. Then you can edit the photo and share it. You can also save it to your device’s photo library.
7. Have fun with your family and friends using The Grinch edition of Dr. Seuss Camera. This app lets you take selfies--or pictures of other people—with your device, after selecting a photo frame. Then you can edit the photo and share it. You can also save it to your device’s photo library.
8. Track Santa with the app appropriately named Santa Tracker. This comes with a built-in countdown at the top of the screen (only 38 days at this writing!) with a tiny Santa and sleigh and two reindeer racing across the snow below. The app then has two parts: Track Santa (showing a map) and Santa in Action (a series of animated videos about what Santa is doing to get ready for Christmas, and you can personalize it by adding your child’s name, age, and state. Developed by Surreal Knight, this is a fun app.
8. Track Santa with the app appropriately named Santa Tracker. This comes with a built-in countdown at the top of the screen (only 38 days at this writing!) with a tiny Santa and sleigh and two reindeer racing across the snow below. The app then has two parts: Track Santa (showing a map) and Santa in Action (a series of animated videos about what Santa is doing to get ready for Christmas, and you can personalize it by adding your child’s name, age, and state. Developed by Surreal Knight, this is a fun app.
9. Finally, relax and unwind with the app Xmas Coloring for Adults. Some people love to color on their iPad or iPhone. You get seven free pictures and can unlock others with a purchase.
9. Finally, relax and unwind with the app Xmas Coloring for Adults. Some people love to color on their iPad or iPhone. You get seven free pictures and can unlock others with a purchase.
There are numerous apps for holiday recipes, games, calendars, and puzzles. There are apps for all religions and religious holidays. You could spend your entire holiday season just downloading and trying out holiday apps. Instead, pick a couple of these and have yourself a merry little holiday.
There are numerous apps for holiday recipes, games, calendars, and puzzles. There are apps for all religions and religious holidays. You could spend your entire holiday season just downloading and trying out holiday apps. Instead, pick a couple of these and have yourself a merry little holiday.
Last updated on November 18, 2018
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