The holidays are always the most stressful time for me. If I could measure my holiday stress with buckets for my tears, there'd be enough water for a full-functioning well. I learned that the best way to curb my anxiety about getting everything done is to get organized and use tools that help increase efficiency. And fortunately, with the world we live in today where smartphones are our saviors, there are a heaping of apps in the iTunes App Store that can aid in getting it together. In this week's Free App Friday, I try to solve your holiday stress issues -- and, well, mine -- with a list of helpful apps.
The app is an absolute necessity if you're spending some time in the kitchen this holiday season. In addition to giving you access to thousands of online recipes, it lets you prepare a shopping list for those specific recipes that you've bookmarked.
Got a lot to do and not a lot of time? Errands is a task manager with various features that lets you easily organize your tasks to suit your needs. For instance, you can make lists for the holidays corresponding to each side of the family, or make a list of what gifts to get for certain coworkers. The app also lets you add in Mail tasks and uses what's called a "Focus Folder," which lets you star certain tasks that are of the highest priority. For a free app, it's totally worth it for you to keep your sanity this holiday.
Going crazy about your Christmas shopping? This app will change your life and will change your shopping experience. If you're looking for the best deal and are unsure if a department store or specialty shop can afford you one, scan the item on Amazon and see what it's worth there. And if you decide to purchase the item, why not consider having Amazon wrap the gift up and ship it over to the recipient? Because the internet is amazing.
Mark your Christmas card list as one less thing to worry about. I mentioned this app last week, but I'm going to include it again because of the variety of designs Sincerely Ink offers. Choose from over 30 photos cards and illustrated designs to add some holiday cheer to your Christmas cards. You can choose from religious, non-religious, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years themes, and then personalize it with your own message. And if the photo you chose just isn't up to par, spruce it up with a photo filter. The app charges $1.69 for each 5x7-inch card and can be sent to a whole address book of people in just a few minutes! So easy! I love easy. I know you do, too.
