Tag: Christmas

Clicking pictures has become the norm, thanks to smartphones and tablets in everyone’s hands. People love capturing memories and sharing them with others. This has also brought about a new trend – sending e-cards rather than physical cards as Christmas greetings.

While there are various photo apps that can help beautify your pictures and remove backgrounds, only a handful of apps help add a Christmas feel to your pictures. While some prefer photo editors that can change everything in a picture (apart from the people in it), simple editing apps like adding Christmas frames are also helpful. This article will look at the best photo editor apps that allow you to add Christmas cheer.

YouCam Perfect

YouCam Perfect is an amazing photo editor app that allows you to add some holiday cheer to your pictures. The app has over 100 effects that can help beautify your selfies. You can also add special frames to your pictures to give them a festive look.

The best part of this app is it comes with real-time beautifying effects. This means you don’t have to wait until after you click a picture. You can see the effect even before clicking it. You can remove eye bags, edit facial features, or even reduce fine lines. The possibilities with YouCam Perfect are endless.

Christmas Photo Frames, Effects & Cards Art

The name of this app says it all. It comes with hundreds of Christmas and New Year-themed photo frames that can help you create custom holiday greetings. You can even add art to images or use cartoons to personalize your images.

Images created with this app can be shared on social media, and you can even tag your loved ones on these images. Create custom images and let your loved ones know you care enough to make an effort.

Photo Lab Picture Editor

Photo Lab is an amazing photo editor that has over 800 effects to choose from. You can pick from trendy effects and enhance your look within minutes. You can even add animation to your images or choose from the various filters to beautify your pictures.

The possibilities with Photo Lab are endless. You can create artwork using a collage of pictures or pick from effects such as Vintage books, Christmas frames, and camera lens reflection. Download this app today and showcase your editing talents to your loved ones.

PicsArt Photo Studio

PicsArt is one of the top names in the photo editing world. The app has over 400 million users across the world and is trustworthy. You can have tremendous fun with images and create memes or collages with them. It is one of the best apps to add Christmas frames to your pictures.

You can choose from millions of free stickers and clipart to add to your images. Create custom images like never before with this fantastic app. You can even get the latest themes with the app, so you can pick one of the templates from the theme.

Aviary Photo Editor

Aviary is a powerful photo editor that allows you to customize your images per your choice. This fast editing app allows you to create amazing effects within seconds.

The best part is you can crop and edit photos directly from your gallery. The app has an easy-to-use interface, and you can create stunning photos within minutes. This is a top app if you’re looking for Christmas-themed edits for your pictures.

Bonfire Photo Editor Pro

You should pick Bonfire photo editor if you’re looking for a more professional-looking image this holiday season. You can edit your images the way you want and add Christmas frames or backgrounds per your preference.

The app has over 100 filters and effects that can help you create custom holiday greetings in no time. The app also comes with skin-whitening technology. This allows you to get a flawless complexion and make your photos shine. You can also pick from popular filters such as black and white HDR.

PhotoDirector

PhotoDirector is another powerful photo editor that helps you create amazing Christmas-themed images. You can beautify your images and do a lot more with this app.

Some of the top features include adjusting your skin tone, adjusting the picture brightness and exposure, and adding custom frames. The app also gives your photos a professional look with the click of a button. This is a top app if you’re looking for Christmas frames to add to your photos.

Spread the Christmas Cheer

There you have it – the top photo editor apps that allow you to Christmas-themed frames and effects to your pictures. Now getting professional-looking photos is just like child’s play. Download one of these apps and send out the best Christmas greetings this holiday season. 

Come Christmas, people tend to get nostalgic about their childhood or specific memories that fill their hearts with joy. There’s no denying that Christmas makes you emotional, and watching certain Christmas movies makes you happy.

While back in the day, you needed to rent out DVDs to watch all your Christmas favorites, thanks to streaming apps, you can now enjoy your favorite movies online whenever you want. Movie streaming app subscriptions are common, and almost everyone has them, but if you’re contemplating whether or not to add to the list of streaming services you’re subscribed to this festive season, here are some streaming apps you could give a try.

Disney+

Nothing screams Christmas more than Disney. Whether it’s about Olaf’s frozen adventure or A Christmas carol, Disney+ has it all. The streaming service was founded in 2019 and is a part of the Walt Disney Company.

With a subscription starting at $7.99 a month, Disney+ is an excellent subscription service, especially during the holidays, because they have many holiday movies you can enjoy most of them. This is one of the best streaming services for kid-friendly movies or movies that’ll take you back to your childhood.

HBO Max

Another popular movie streaming service you might consider getting yourself during the holidays is HBO Max. Launched in 2020 by Warner Bros, HBO Max is an excellent service because of the fantastic Christmas collection, and in general too.

Some movies you’ll enjoy watching on this platform during Christmas include A Christmas Story and the sequel, Elf, and The Shop Around the Corner, to name a few. The basic subscription for the service starts at $9.99 per month, but the max subscription is a better HBO Max. The best part is that HBO is part of Amazon Prime again.

Hulu

One of the oldest streaming services available today, Hulu is another great option for adding some Christmas cheer to your screen. Launched for the first time in 2007, Hulu has over 47 million followers as of 2022, making it one of the most used streaming services out there. Owned by Walt Disney and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, Hulu, too, has some great Christmas movies you can stream.

From the classic Home Slone series to Die Hard and A Christmas Story, Hulu has something for everyone. Hulu is also one of the most affordable services, with prices starting at as low as $6.99 for the basic subscription.

Netflix

The term Netflix and chill is synonymous with the idea of relaxing at home while enjoying a movie on a streaming platform. When it comes to Christmas movies, Netflix is undoubtedly the place to go. With several original releases, you’ll find something different and fresh compared to what’s available on the other platforms. Founded in 1997 by Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings, Netflix is what every other streaming platform aims to be.

The streaming service has a whooping 222 million subscribers as of 2022, and the number is rapidly increasing, especially around the holidays. If you’re not a Netflix user, you might want to get your subscription to enjoy classics like White Christmas. You can also binge on some Netflix originals like the Princess Switch or Falling for Christmas, where Lindsay Lohan seems to have made a strong comeback. Netflix has three subscription plans, which start at &9.99 per month.

Apple TV

With the amount of attention Apple gained with their devices, it’s no surprise the company dipped its fingers into the world of streaming apps too. Created for iOS devices in 2016, Apple TV gained a lot of popularity and was released on most other platforms by 2020.

What’s different about the Apple TV subscription plan is that it’s an a la carte subscription plan, unlike the others. Like Netflix, Apple TV, too, has a lot of original content you won’t find anywhere else. One of the most popular movies on Apple is Spirited which stars Ryan Renolds. This movie is a spoof of the classic Dickens’ A Christmas Carol story. The subscription plan starts at $6.99, and you can also get a 7-day free trial to check out the service.

Amazon Prime

There are a few streaming giants in the market, and Amazon Prime or Prime Video is one of them. Launched as Amazon Unbox for the first time in 2006, Prime is the master of streaming services and can give other platforms a run for their money. They have, after all, been in the industry for a long time. Owned by Amazon, this subscription service to is focusing on original content created by Amazon studios and MGM Holdings.

With over 200 million subscribers as of 2022, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t download Amazon Prime right away. You can enjoy some of the best movies on this app this holiday season, including It’s a beautiful Life, The Polar Express, and Gremlins. The subscription starts at $14.99 monthly, and you’ll get a 30-day free trial too.

The Fairytale Ending

The idea of getting cozy on the couch or bed with your loved ones, a hot cup of cocoa with little marshmallows floating in them, and a blanket to keep you warm is an experience everyone cherishes, and it gets better when you have a lovely Christmas movie to complete the tale. After all, Christmas is all about filling your heart with joy, love, compassion, and hope – all the elements that contribute to a Christmas classic.

Giving out Christmas cards is a tradition almost everyone follows, and while it was a norm to shop for paper cards and send them out by post, people prefer e-cards for various reasons these days. While these cards are fun to share, convenient, and customizable, there’s one problem – everyone sends them out, and you could send out similar, if not the same, e-cards. 

If you want your cards to stand out, then you’ve got to ditch the pre-created theme apps and learn how to generate the most original Christmas cards. Wondering how to get started? Here’s a list of apps you can give a try.

Photo Pos Pro

Photo Pos Pro is a free editing software. It comes with various features. You can now create Christmas cards on your computer or laptop within minutes. This online image editor comes with various Christmas templates. You can add your personal images and text to the template designs and send custom greetings this festive season.

You can choose from thousands of templates that are ideal for all types of greetings. You can send custom images to your spouse, parents, children, family members, or friends. This is a free image editing tool that has been downloaded over a million times, proving that it’s worth your time.

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

The Adobe Creative Cloud Express is a mobile app that’s simple, effective, and original. Although the app comes with pre-loaded Christmas templates, they are all highly customizable, so once you’re done creating your card, it’s highly unlikely there will be another one like yours. Adobe never fails to impress when it comes to designing, and this app is no different. 

The simple interface is a treat and gives you complete control of how you would like your Christmas card to look. It also has an in-built feature that allows you to browse through stock photos to purchase, so your card truly is one-of-a-kind. Once ready, you can conveniently share your cards online.

Libre Office

Libre Office is right for you if you’re looking to practice designing holiday greetings. You can now create fabulous-looking greetings for the holidays. You can work on the simple design templates and impress your loved ones with custom Christmas greetings.

With this app, you can design entire pages or cut your cards depending on your preferred dimensions. The app is compatible with Microsoft Office. You can use the features that come with this app for free. Choose from the thousands of holiday greeting templates and spread cheer this festive season.

Publuu

If there’s one thing that made paper cards stand out, it was the ability to flip a page and read what was inside the card. Although e-cards gained popularity, the sheer pleasure of flipping a card open to reveal what’s inside is something many missed. If you want to re-create that experience without sending paper cards, then it’s time to try Publuu. 

This app helps you create truly unique cards that deliver the realistic flip effect, which makes cards complete. You can also hotlink your cards and customize them with images, texts, and more. The app takes e-cards to the next level, and if you’re looking to create an original Christmas card that stands out, Publuu is your best bet.

Scribus

Scribus is an open-source DTP (desktop publishing) software. You can use it to design and create your personal holiday photo greetings. Although the app does take some getting used to, it comes with various publishing and layout options.

Scribus comes with a host of professional features that take some while to get accustomed to. Some of the features you get are CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key) color management, EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) import/export, PDF creator, graphics toolkit, and a whole lot more. Since it’s open source, it is free to use. If your programming knowledge is good, you can make modifications to this software as well.

Canva

One of the most popular designing apps online, Canva is a great tool to use when you want to create customized Christmas cards that aren’t like anything you’ve seen before. The app comes with a user-friendly interface that makes customizing a breeze. The functions are self-explanatory, and it’s a no-fuss template that makes card creation convenient and fun. If you’re creating e-cards for the first time, this app is surely one to use mainly because it’s so easy that you won’t have to struggle at all. The end results are nothing short of breathtaking, so you’ll always end up with an original card that’s out to impress.

Corel Draw

Corel Draw is one of the top graphic software. Although not free, this software allows you to create fantastic holiday greetings. This software is compatible with various formats, so you can prepare your holiday greetings in no time.

The best part of Corel Draw is you can collaborate with others and create one-of-a-kind Christmas greetings that will stun your loved ones. When collaborating, you can see the changes made in real-time. You can choose to keep or modify these changes so your design stands out from the rest. You can now work with typography, vector illustrations, and layout to create some amazing designs.

Greetings Island

This effective tool is one you don’t want to miss. The Greetings Island app is so simple; it makes your holiday card creation fun and stress-free. Not everyone is a pro or a tech wizard, and Greetings Island kept that in mind when creating this app that’s so convenient to use even a kid will enjoy using it. 

It comes with pre-loaded templates, but you can also upload your own images. You can later save the card in a PDF format and send copies to your loved ones. If you’re in the mood to send out an original paper greeting, you can always print these cards to carry out the tradition.

Place the E-Stamp; Your Virtual Cards Are en Route

E-card creation is a fun activity, and it’s something you can make a day out of with your family. It can become a tradition to craft Christmas greetings that are personalized, original, and worth every minute you spend creating them. Give people a reason to talk about your cards this year with the help of these apps.

Christmas is the time for cheer and celebration. People have different ways of celebrating this festival. Some like to spread a lavish dinner for their family and friends, while others prefer a holiday in a beautiful part of the world. However, some also prefer playing games that bring on some Christmas cheer.

Over the years, there have been many Christmas-themed games that have inspired an all-night gaming session or friendly banter between family members. Here is our list of the top games you should get your hands on this Christmas.

Borderlands 2 – How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day

The makers of Borderlands have always created downloadable games across different genres. Their holiday-themed game “How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day” is no different. The Borderlands is known for humor in games, and this game is no different. Although it draws from various pre-existing tales, it’s loaded with entertainment.

Gamers love the various missions and memorable bosses that make this game worth playing. You can compete with others and see who gets the maximum loot, or you could just replay the game to see who defeats the bosses. The crowd’s favorite is the Tinder Snowflake.

Banjo-Kazooie – Freezeezy Peak

The Banjo-Kazooie series has a lot of memorable moments that gamers love, and Freezeezy Peak stands out as one of the best. The game consists of amazing tracks. The whimsical music of the game pairs well with the fantastic winter atmosphere it is set in.

The purpose of Freezeezy Peak is to complete challenging tasks. These tasks are tough compared to the ones you usually see with Banjo-Kazooie. Some of the levels are a must-play if you’re an avid Banjo-Kazooie fan; however, watch out for the giant flying snowman.

Batman: Arkham Origins – All Of Gotham

If it is a cold winter atmosphere you’re looking for, then Batman: Arkham Origins won’t disappoint. The Arkham series is known for superior graphics and different enemies to deal with. Although not entirely Christmas-themed, this is a feel-good game where you help Batman defeat Gotham’s enemy and walk away into the shadows (or snowfall).

The game has multiple villains waiting in the winds. Your mission is to use Batman’s arsenal to your advantage and flush out the bad guys. Ardent Batman fans dislike this Arkham game, while others believe it can reach cult status.

Bully – Love Makes The World Go Around

Bully is an amazing game, and introducing a holiday special makes fans excited. Although the levels in this series are more challenging, the holiday makes playing the game cheerful.

The game comes in a scholarship and an anniversary edition. These editions extend the regular missions. This adds a fun element to the game and extends the snowy section. If you’re looking for a fun way to kill time during the holidays, this is a great game to get home.

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures

The latest Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures is a fun game with many challenging levels. However, the Blizzard of Balls level is extremely challenging. The background and the enemies on this level are different from the rest.

The game is set in a snowy kingdom, and there are numerous villain snowmen and trees to defeat. This is a top game that can prove challenging even for the most accomplished gamer.

Hitman: Blood Money

The Hitman series is another popular game franchise among simulation gamers. The game follows the antics of Agent 47, and there are various levels that have proven to be challenging over the years.

The game has various missions, and the seventh mission will get you in the holiday spirit. Although there are no holiday-themed villains, you have the option of dressing up for this level. You can dress as Santa or one of his helpers while you go about this mission.

Kingdom Hearts 2

The second part of Kingdom Hearts is sure to win hearts all around, thanks to the inclusion of Christmas Town in the game. It is an amazing holiday-themed area to explore and contains various challenges.

Gamers have to face interesting boss fights while a holiday-themed tune runs in the background. The makers have also introduced new tracks for Christmas Town, so the Christmas experience will continue.

Twisted Christmas

Twisted Christmas is a truly twisted game. It is part of the Killing Floor series. Gamers can choose from various maps while trying to slay Zed in the bargain. This is a holiday-themed game where the enemy looks like a character out of a Christmas Disney movie (only scarier).

Gamers can obtain items and gear while playing the game; however, the fun lies in killing the horrific zombies. This is a fun game that can keep you engaged for hours. In addition to these characters, there are plenty of cosmetic modifications in the game to bring about a Christmas feeling.

Saints Row 4

Saints Row 4 is an action-packed, fun game that keeps gamers on the edge of their seats with unbelievable missions. The storytelling and visuals are stunning, and gamers can play this game for hours.

The game even has a special appearance from Santa that adds to the Christmas cheer. This is a fun Christmas game with strange characters and plot twists adding to the excitement.

Get, Set, Cheer

There you have it. Some of the top Christmas-themed games and levels that are sure to add to the holiday cheer. Gamers love playing special edition games that are rare to find. These games are up there with the best, and their visual and graphic quality is second to none. Get one of these special games home today and begin your overnight gaming expedition.

The only constant thing is change, and it’s important for one to keep up with the changes that occur so one can live in the present. While sending out paper cards was a Christmas tradition for decades, these days, there’s a more non-conventional way of doing this, and it’s a lot more cost-effective and quick. 

If you’re contemplating how to send out unique Christmas wishes to your loved ones this festive season, then it’s time to check out some interesting apps to help you create personalized and stylish greetings. 

Christmas Cards Maker – Personalize Your Xmas Card

One of the key elements that make an app desirable is the ease of use. The Christmas Cards Maker app is just what you need if you consider yourself technically challenged. It offers customizable card creations that not only allow you to create unique cards but also ones that reflect your style.

You can use your photographs and add different stickers, effects, and more to create a card you’ll love sending out. Once you’ve created the cards, it’s easy to share them with multiple people using social media, emails, or messengers. If you’re a novice when it comes to e-card creation, this is one app you need to try.

Christmas Photo Frame Maker – New Year Greetings

This free-to-download app comes with a plethora of features that make it hard to pass on. If you’re looking to spread some Christmas cheer, then sending out these e-cards is a great way to do so. It has a wide selection of themes and designs to choose from, and you can even add your pictures to the card. 

The Christmas Photo Frame Maker app even gives you suggestions on which templates are classics and which ones are newly introduced. Also, it has an easy-to-use interface, so it’s convenient for you to send out one card to everyone or create separate ones for friends, family, and co-workers. It’s so easy to use; you can get your kids involved in helping you create the cards, so it feels even more special sending them out. You can share the greetings via your messaging apps or social media channels.

Christmas Frames & Stickers

If you want to channel your creative mind and customize cards from scratch with a little assistance from an app, Christmas Frames & Stickers is what you need. This app allows you to take the lead when it comes to card creation and acts as an assistant when necessary. The best part about the app is that it doesn’t come with a complete template but rather bits and pieces that you can put together to customize a truly unique card. 

Considering how popular e-card creator apps are, it’s best to use something that you know will reflect your true personality and won’t have duplicates going around. It comes with festive photo frames you can add around your picture, and it also has stickers that you can use to pretty up the card. You can choose where to place the stickers and how large or small you want them to be. Also, you can share these e-greetings within minutes using social media or messaging apps.

Christmas Greeting Cards

You no longer have to head to your nearest Hallmark store to look for the prettiest greetings. This Christmas Greeting Cards app has over 100 greeting cards to choose from. You can view the entire collection in HD on your Android device and download the ones you like.

You can browse through various categories and download the ones you want. There’s also a chance to pick cards for your spouse, parents, children, office colleagues, school friends, and more. You can even customize each greeting with your and the recipient’s name. These downloaded e-cards can be shared using Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, MMS, or even mail.

Christmas Cards & Quotes

Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a time for inspiration and the joy of giving. What better way to do that than inspire others with amazing quotes and cards?

This app is completely customizable, and you can edit the e-cards per your preference. You can download hundreds of Bible verses and inspirational quotes or edit each message to suit the recipient. You can send these greetings using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. There are also Christmas-themed mini-puzzle game to keep you engaged while browsing the app.

Christmas Greetings

Who doesn’t like receiving personalized greetings during Christmas? This Christmas Greeting Cards app is just what you need. Apart from personalizing the message, you can even change the image and add stickers to your greeting. You can upload images from your gallery or click a selfie while sending your Christmas greeting.

Apart from greeting cards, you can even customize Christmas frames, motivational quotes, or just images to cheer your loved ones this Christmas. These e-cards can be shared via social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Christmas Cards Free

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. What better way to celebrate than with free Christmas greetings? With the Christmas Cards Free app, you can choose from their cards and image gallery. You can pick from thousands of different designs and styles that will brighten your loved ones’ Christmas.

The best part is this app is free. You can choose any of the greeting cards and share them via message or social media. The best part is that you can customize your cards with your picture and personalized message.

Save paper this Christmas

Apart from being so convenient and fun to use, these apps also help you save paper, so you’re contributing to a more significant cause. Whether you’re a seasoned e-card creator or someone who’s just hopped onto the bandwagon, there’s an app for everyone, so start creating your cards; Christmas is just around the corner. 

Festivals and food go hand-in-hand, and no matter how busy a lifestyle you lead, nothing can bring you more joy than having a Christmas meal with your loved ones. Whether it’s a small family gathering or involving all your friends, holiday meal planning is fun, especially when it’s done right.

Pulling out those Christmas recipes and juggling between the spatula, the pages, and the sauce can often lead to just one recipe – a recipe for disaster where you’ve got sauce spread over half the recipe, and you don’t know how to proceed.

These days dinners are more technological, and if you’re wondering how to put up the most technological dinner for Christmas, then lo and behold, the modern version of recipe books – apps that can make your life so much easier.

Kitchen Stories

Who needs a recipe book when you’ve got an app that offers much more? Kitchen Stories is not just a cooking app; it’s a community of people who share a common passion for cooking. Remember when you started at a recipe and had a ton of questions in your mind? You can now ask all of those questions thanks to this app. It comes with detailed recipes and some tips and tricks that can help you improve the recipe to give it a personal touch.

The best part about the app is that it also comes with a measurement converter, so you know what quantities are needed without struggling to find a measuring unit. While the basic app version is free, it’s best to unlock all the features to get the best out of it.

Oh She Glows

If healthy recipes are what you crave, Oh She Glows is for you. This app has over 160 plant-based recipes. The app also has pro tips from New York Times bestseller Angela Liddon.

With this app, you can check trending recipes. You can even make a list of special recipes you want to create for special occasions or the holiday season. You can also filter recipes based on season, allergies, diet, or dish type. You can even add personal notes to the recipes in the app for future reference. You can now embrace healthy food quickly with the help of Oh She Glows.

Food Network Kitchen

Not everyone is a pro at cooking, and If you’re keen on learning new recipes for the holidays, then the Food Network Kitchen app is an app you need to get your hands on. The app comes with more than 50 live classes that are conducted by some of the best names in the culinary world, including chefs, authors, and celebrity guests. You can alter these classes to watch them at your speed and learn the basic cooking steps before you advance to a classic holiday dish.

The app has a huge library of recipes that enables you to find something you and your loved ones will enjoy. It’s connected to Amazon fresh, so you can just add the ingredients to the list and shop for them in the comfort of your home.

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner

Now you no longer have to worry about finding delicious recipes with Allrecipes Dinner Spinner at your fingertips. This is basically a social app for food. The app allows home cooks to share their tips and stories regarding cooking. This is one of the best apps for homemade food, and the best part is it is free to download.

You even get a personalized feed where you can find the dishes you like to eat. You also get access to a library of recipe videos to watch and learn how to create sumptuous dishes. The app also provides ingredient suggestions that are easily available in your area. This helps make shopping a breeze.

Yummly

The app needs to introduction; everyone is familiar with the viral social media recipes Yummly is popularly known for. The app is just as interesting but more in-depth. If you enjoyed watching those drool and Instagram-worthy dishes, Yummly could help you achieve it for the holidays. The app comes with detailed step-by-step explanations on how to prepare dishes and also helps to simplify a complicated process, so you get it right. The app boasts over 2 million recipes.

Yummly is known for its built-in timer that enables you to keep a close eye on your recipes without the risk of over or under-cooking them. It offers many tips and tricks and helps you connect with widgets, including the Apple Health App, if you want to keep track of your calories during the festive season.

BBC Good Food

BBC Good Food stands out because of the volume of recipes available. You can search the recipe library using ingredients, keywords, dishes, or occasions. You can even create a special collection of your favorite dishes to reference them later easily.

The app even allows you to rate recipes based on ease of prep and taste. This will help the app give you suggestions based on your preference. Since it comes with a three-month trial, there’s no reason you shouldn’t download this app today and prepare for the festive season ahead.

Tasty

The app, like Yummly, needs no introduction. Tasty is another viral video brand known to share mouthwatering recipes that seem like a breeze to prepare. Downloading this app will do you a lot of good during the festive season. It’s one of the only apps on the list that allows you to sort out recipes based on occasion and helps you pick the most popular or the simplest ones to prepare, depending on how much time you have in hand. 

You can customize the Tasty app based on your dietary preferences. If you’re a vegetarian, you can set the app to only show vegetarian recipes. The app can be connected with your shopping apps to add and purchase ingredients too.

Lay out the table in style this festive season

Cooking delicious and healthy meals will not be a challenge anymore with these amazing apps. The best part is most of these apps are available on all devices, so you won’t have any excuses not to put out amazing food. Try out any of these apps today and have a fabulous holiday season.

Kids are smart these days and have many questions about everything. Unlike the early days, when kids were satisfied with having a one-sided conversation with Santa, these days, they want to know more. 

Don’t fret – Santa is officially calling your children, so they can rest assured their presents are en route. If you’re wondering how this is possible, it’s time to take a look at some of the best mobile apps you can download to get Santa to call or text your kid, so they’re off your back. 

Video Call Santa

What’s better than a phone call to Santa? Video call! Yes, the Video Call Santa app allows your children to have a video call with Santa. These calls are all pre-recorded stimulations, so you’ll have to play around with them a little to make your kid believe the message is for them.

This app is gaining a lot of hits these days because it’s not just an excellent way for your kid to see Santa; it’s also a great way to keep them on the nice side, which might seem like a task sometimes. This app is personalized and highly believable, with a screen that resembles an actual video call.

Text & Call Santa Claus

Christmas is all about spreading cheer, and there’s no better way to put a smile on your kids’ faces than to let them know Santa is texting. The Text & Call Santa Claus app is a one-of-a-kind app that allows you to text Santa Claus and calls him so he can send your kid special messages. The text feature is interesting, and you’ll get responses for every message sent. It keeps your kids entertained with funny texts to get them to chuckle.

Call From Santa 2022

Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane! The Call From Santa 2022 is a modern, graphic-rich, highly interactive app that you’ll love. The app comes with some fantastic features that make it one of the best apps on this list. Kids these days can never get enough of Santa, and this app is one way to keep them engaged till they find their presents under the Christmas tree.

The app is offline, so you don’t need the internet to help your kids connect with Santa. This is one of the only apps on the list with such rich graphic content available totally offline. Apart from being able to play Santa games on the app, it also has a Speak to Santa feature that plays Santa voices when you call.

The app is user-friendly and free to use. It’s great for older kids who start to doubt the existence of Santa. There’s no harm in letting them believe in the magic for a little longer, and if this app can help, then nothing like it.

Personalized Call from Santa

There’s no underestimating how smart your kids are, and that’s one of the reasons you need an app that is as close to Santa actually calling them as possible. With the Personalized Call from Santa app, you can now create customized messages for your kids with intricate details only you and your kid know. This makes it easy for your kid to believe Santa is watching whether their naughty or nice, and it also helps you get them to behave.

The app has various categories, including adding them to the naughty or nice list, using their picture, age, address, and more. You can also include accomplishments, birthdays, and personalized messages.

Talking Santa – Video Santa Claus calls you

The Talking Santa app is one of the best apps you can download for your kids to speak to Santa. Rated as the number 1 app in the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia, this app has it all. If Santa could get tech-savvy, he’d surely be using this app too. The app comes with a video call feature that allows kids to have an interactive conversation ‘face-to-face’ with Santa.

If your kids aren’t behaving, this app might help them get in line with a firm but a loving message from Santa. The app is customizable, so you can insert your child’s name, so they feel the message is for them exclusively. This is a great app because the interactions are amazing. It asks your child their name if they’ve been good, and much more.

Santa Claus Fake Calling

If you don’t want your kids to talk to Santa but want them to believe you’re calling him, this is the app you need. It’s a hassle-free app that can help get your kids on the nice list with a slight nudge. Calling Santa can be a great way to get them into the Christmas spirit and teach them the importance of being nice.

This app isn’t interactive, so you can’t have a conversation with Santa; you can only fake call or pretend you’re talking to him, so whatever you do, don’t hand over the phone to your kid, or you might get busted.

PNP – Portable North Pole

Experience what it’s like to live in the north pole with Santa thanks to the PNP app. The app comes with many features you’ll find on some of the apps mentioned above, but the one feature that makes it unique is the advertisement-free trial version. No one likes those nasty pop-ups and videos you need to watch before being able to access an app. Here, you can access free video calls, personalized messages, and even a reaction recorder during the trial without any interruptions whatsoever.

Make Those Calls Matter

If Elf on the shelf isn’t working anymore, you need to step it up. Get in touch with the big man himself and let your kids enjoy these moments. It’s time for Santa to call your children.

Christmas and New Year’s are times of family, fun, and frolic, and it’s unlikely to be complete with food. Come the festive season; everyone aims to put out their best dishes to gather around the table and enjoy. Food and memories have a deep bond, so each time someone reminisces about their childhood or a special moment around the holidays, it’s usually got a lot to do with food.

If you’re missing Grandma’s Christmas cake or the roast chicken your dad made when you were younger, fret not; these amazing apps will help you identify how to create new dishes for Christmas and the new year by helping identify what ingredients go into preparing them.

Whole Foods Market Recipes

Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you have to let go of your diet plans. Thanks to Whole Foods Market Recipes, you can now look for amazing meals to prep for Christmas without compromising on your chosen ingredients.

This app is user-friendly and comes with search options that allow you to look for recipes based on dietary preference so you can keep the meals healthy. The app has a bonus feature that helps you look for the nearest Whole Foods Market to pick up your ingredients under one roof.

Epicurious

If you’re looking to impress your guests with a fancy spread, then Epicurious is the app you need. It includes a detailed compilation of over 30,000 Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazine recipes.

The videos are in-depth and give you all in information and a list of ingredients you need to prepare a full-course meal for the holidays. The app also comes with recipe reviews, so you don’t waste time on a recipe that isn’t popular.

Cook’s Illustrated

Chris Kimball, the host from America’s Test Kitchen fame, created this app to help amateur cooks master the skill with detailed recipes, step-by-step instructions, and ingredients they need for specific dishes.

Since everyone knows how important brands are, the app also helps you pick out ingredients based on brands so you can replicate a gourmet dish as closely as possible. However, if you want to read reviews about the ingredients listed, you might have to pay for the subscription, which can cost about $34.95 yearly.

Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide by Food52

What’s better than having a New York Times food writer create an app to share recipes curated for the holidays with you? Having two of them! Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide by Food52 is an app created by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, who strive to share their food knowledge with home chefs. The app focuses on holiday food and helps you look for recipes you grew up enjoying. The book comes with a total of 127 recipes, all of which are popular holiday foods.

How to Cook Everything

Nothing warms the heart more than a wholesome home-cooked meal, especially when it’s prepared well. On the How to Cook Everything app, you’ll find everything from recipes to ingredients to tips on how to bake, grill, fry, and more.

It also helps you get recipes based on the time required so you can pick and choose a menu based on how much time you have. Although this is a paid app, it’s worth the investment considering you can even use the built-in timer and voiceover function that helps you hear the recipe as you go instead of going back and forth to your device to check it out.

Food Network In the Kitchen

What better way to prepare your holiday meal than to bring chefs into your kitchen? The Food Network In the Kitchen app is a hassle-free app that helps you pick out dishes prepared by chefs, and it also gives you details about the ingredients and creates a personalized shopping list. You’ll also get complete access to a library that consists of how-to recipes. This feature is only available on iOS for now.

Martha Stewart Makes Cookies

You can’t go through the holiday without a sweet treat from Martha Stewart, and what better way to enjoy them than to prepare them at home? The Martha Stewart Makes Cookies app gives you all the details, from recipes to ingredients to tiny instructions, that can make your dish outstanding. You can also use these recipes to craft treats to hand out as presents to your loved ones during the festive season.

iCookbook

This app is any home cooks bible, and it’s safe to say getting the app on your phone will make your holidays merry and bright. Whether looking for the most impressive recipes to cook or picking out old classics, it has everything you need. The app is simple and efficient and gets you covered for any meals you may want to prepare during the holidays. It also has a huge compilation of healthy alternatives for people with diabetes or those who want to watch their waistline during the festivities.

Substitutions

You’re wondering why this app made it to this festive special list and why you need it anyway? Imagine having chosen a recipe you’ve waited a long time to prepare. You’re all excited, and you got your ingredient list ready. You’ve headed over to the supermarket, and you’re frantically looking through the aisles. You head over to all the other shops you can think of, but you’ve got nothing.

That’s when Substitutions will feel like a savior. It’ll help you identify the closest possible substitution for the ingredient and enable you to carry out your special holiday menu without any hiccups. It’s also a great app to help look for alternatives when you’ve got allergens to worry about or ingredients you’ll don’t eat/like.

It’s time to lay the Christmas table

Now that you’ve got everything you need to start your Christmas or New Year party, it’s time to pull out your holiday china and set the table. These apps are all amazing and have features that’ll make cooking fancy holiday meals a breeze.

Christmas and the holidays should be about spending time with your loved ones and friends. It’s hard to do that when you’re constantly connected to the internet, scrolling social media or reading emails. You need to learn to focus on what’s important around you so you don’t miss out on life.

To that end, I’ve compiled a list of apps that will help you disconnect during Christmas so you have more time for other things. Say goodbye to annoying emails and message notifications, and kiss your loved one until he or she knows how much they mean to you.

Freedom | Block Distractions

So, you want to work on your Christmas present ideas, but the work keeps emailing you, or is social media calling your name? The Freedom app is designed to block any applications on your device, giving you downtime to unwind. It also lets you disconnect during a set period, such as Christmas.

There’s a handy scheduling tool where you can set daily times when you don’t want the internet or social apps to distract you. If you plan on blocking your emails, just make sure you set an automatic response so everyone knows you’re away from keyboard/screen.

Stay Focused: Site & App Block

While you can use Stay Focused to improve your productivity at work, it also helps with peace of mind. It lets you set the days and times you want different apps blocked, which means no pesky notifications. You can now spend time with your children during Christmas without distractions.

Another excellent feature is showing you how much time you’ve spent during the day staring at the screen. You’ll notice which apps have the most of your attention and can proceed to block them. All you need is the self-discipline to do so, and hopefully, your family is enough motivation.

Digital Detox: Focus & Live

Here’s an app that has your state of mind at heart. Digital Detox understands how toxic being connected all the time can be. When you don’t have a signal on your phone or your data has run out, you panic that you’ve missed something. If this sounds familiar, then it’s time to disconnect completely.

You can schedule times when you want your device to disconnect from the internet and apps. You’ll have more time to focus on Christmas and your family and not stress about notifications. Digital Detox even makes it fun, granting you achievements when you accomplish goals.

Minimalist phone: Productivity

If you can’t disconnect completely due to the nature of your work or life, then Minimalist phone: Productivity may be able to help. It lets you select specific apps or modes you want to block while retaining other notifications. In this way, you can ease your way off your device and still focus on Christmas.

You can customize several settings, such as the color and themes. Also, it’s helpful if there are apps you spend way too much time on that you want to wean yourself off. When you’re ready, you can use it to go to the extreme and cut yourself from the internet completely.

Offscreen

What better way to motivate yourself to disconnect during Christmas than to study your current behavior. Offscreen analyses every action you take on your device. Some stats include how often you tap on your screen, how long you spend on social media, and how regularly you check your phone. 

From these details, you’ll be able to set goals for the acts you find yourself doing the most. For example, you can try to spend more time away from your phone. You can also make it a habit to unlock your device later in the day than you usually do.

Phoneless

Perhaps you only want to limit how much you use your phone during Christmas time. You know you need more sleep so you have the energy to spend time with the family the next day. Phoneless may be the ideal app for you, sharing your habits so you can make key decisions.

If you find yourself spending way too much time watching videos or browsing social media late into the morning, just use the app to disconnect at a specific time. You can also monitor which apps you use the most. The goal is to be phoneless for as long as possible every day.

Opal

Many publications have awarded Opal as the number one screen-time focus app. While monitoring how much time you spend on your phone, you can decide how much you want to cut it. It will force you away from your device so you can join your family for Christmas. 

With less time looking at your phone and waiting for notifications, you’ll be less stressed. It will help you reconnect with nature and family while forgetting that your device exists. The best method is to study the reports the app provides to see where you can improve.

Forest: Focus for Productivity

Here’s an app for disconnecting from the internet and social media that I personally like. Forest: Focus for Productivity has adorable visuals that will motivate you to stay away from your phone. There are lush trees and plants that will grow in your virtual forest the more you block apps and notifications.

The more you improve your habit with Forest, the more real trees are planted in real life. The app has partners that will make sure nature grows the more you improve your life at home. It’s a Christmas present to yourself and the Earth.

It’s time to reconnect with your family

Now you have no excuse not to spend time with your friends and family over Christmas. You can disconnect from work and distractions while focusing on those around you. If you’re still struggling, ask someone to smack your phone out your hand when you’re being anti-social.