Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

There are many different Christmas dishes, but do we know if they are healthy? Or how many calories do they have? Most of the time, the answer to that question is “no,” but we’re here to change that. Back in the day, finding out how many calories were in a dish meant going through a giant book, finding each ingredient

Fast forward a few years and skip the few books that started logging certain meals so that you didn’t have to calculate each ingredient, and viola! The invention of calorie-counting apps has made it much easier to track what you eat and how it affects your weight loss or maintenance.  To help you along the way, here are the top calorie-counting apps to help you stay in control of your calorie intake this festive season.

Livestrong

One of the most popular apps for supporting weight reduction and increasing general health is the Livestrong calorie counter. The straightforward program assists in recording workout information, monitoring food intake, and calculating calories. 

Livestrong provides calorie calculators to help you lose weight and achieve your fitness objectives. With this program, it’s simple to manage your diet, obtain nutritional information, and eat the foods that will keep you in shape. It includes several meal plans, a weekly shopping list, delectable recipes, and dining alternatives.

Additionally, you can receive suggestions based on your preferred diet, assisting you in achieving your calorie target for weight reduction. The fact that it can monitor calcium, sugar, and cholesterol levels based on what you eat is the finest part. 

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

MyNetDiary

At MyNetDiary, you may get help with nutrition, weight reduction, and a nutritious diet to start living a healthy life. MyNetDiary urges you to accomplish your objectives, swiftly log your meals, and use healthy recipe ideas. 

It is jam-packed with features that let you create goals by selecting your preferred target date, your preferred pace of weight reduction, and the types of calories you want to consume, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. You may obtain guidance on achieving your goals and track your progress. 

You can influence how much weight you lose by seeing your predicted weight reduction. MyNetDiary provides vegetarian, low-carb, keto, and vegan diet alternatives. MyNetDiary provides a method that has been clinically proven to help people lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal continually breaks down inputs. To assist you in achieving your objectives, it also has features like logging activities and calorie tracking. MyFitnessPal has several features, including providing details on the critical nutrients in the food you consume, measuring calories by scanning barcodes, and serving sizes for particular meals. 

The app provides information on BMI, weight loss, and muscle building. MyFitnessPal has the tools you need, such as simple recording, storing meals, scanning barcodes, and tracking your calorie and water intake, to help you start living a healthy lifestyle. 

You may learn about your eating habits and obtain suggestions from the community on improving them by using the convenient meal diary. MyFitnessPal interacts with other programs like FitBit and Samsung Health for healthier living.

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

Cronometer

With the Cronometer app, you may manage calories and keep track of your health information, biometrics, and exercise habits. Beyond counting calories, Cronometer provides a wealth of features that can assist in determining the nutritional content of food consumed. It is also feasible to sync the program with additional hardware and software for deeper insights.

You can take advantage of account security and privacy regulations and utilize the food log to get precise dietary information. The purpose is to assist you in creating healthy habits, tracking your development, and achieving your objectives by hitting dietary targets. 

It includes features like food tracking, biometrics, activity information, and receiving personalized recipes to achieve a health objective. It monitors 82 macro- and micronutrients, offers personalized diet settings to fulfill unique goals, and offers valuable charts and data so you may monitor your results from diet assistance or intermittent fasting programs. 

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

Lose It!

The elements of Lose It! include goal-setting, meal tracking, and healthier outcomes. Other features of Lose It! include water monitoring, behavior reporting, device integration, macro tracking (carbs, protein), a smart camera, and a scanner. 

You may easily reach a healthy weight by establishing objectives, monitoring your calorie intake, and learning more about your diet with the help of Lose It! The app focuses on the tried-and-true method that, by coming up with the finest answers and adjusting to significant changes, will help you lose weight and live a healthy life. 

Lose It! offers quick answers for weight reduction and motivates you to think creatively while urging you to maintain a balanced approach to the process.

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

Nutritionix

You may pursue your goals and stay healthy with Nutritionix’s assistance. The app has a clever search feature that makes it simple to look up your meal history, nearby eateries, groceries, and common foods. 

You may freely talk and type using Natural Language Processing, and you can forecast outcomes based on your data. It includes user-friendly databases of foods and restaurants with grocery store brands. 

Additionally, you may develop your own recipes and keep a running journal of them. The ability to share your recipes with others to aid them in achieving their goals is by far the finest feature.

Know the Calories Behind Christmas Dishes

Let the Christmas calorie counting gegin

There are several calorie-counting applications for iOS and Android smartphones in the app stores. You can now track your calorie intake and easily record your food items. Some applications also provide activity trackers, recipes, and the ability to communicate your progress with friends and family.

To assist you in achieving your nutritional objectives, several apps concentrate on specific diets, such as keto, vegan, paleo, and low carb. Some can combine data automatically to make understanding, establishing, and achieving your goals easier. 

It’s essential to consider your tastes and unique needs before selecting an app. Use a free service or an app with extra subscription services.

Generate Gift Ideas without Effort these Holidays

One of the toughest challenges we have whenever there’s a celebration is what gifts to buy. As we grow older, the choices become tougher, especially with so many new items on the market. Fortunately, there are several apps that can help you select the perfect present for the holidays or a special occasion.

So, instead of pretending to be Santa in games or tracking him over the holidays, spend your valuable time looking for the ideal gift for friends and family. Here are the top apps that generate gift ideas without effort.

1-800-Flowers

While we don’t live in the age of chivalry anymore, flowers are still beautiful gifts to send. Instead of looking at what’s available at the closest market, you can check from home with 1-800-Flowers. Not only can you browse a stunning collection from any local store, but you can also have the flowers delivered.

Despite the name, the app doesn’t only deliver flowers. There are also gift baskets and gourmet packages. You’ll need to register your details and payment methods, but there are presents for every occasion, including Christmas. Remember to attach a card with a special message.

Generate Gifts Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Amazon Shopping

I’m sure you already know this app pretty well. With Amazon Shopping, you can add items to your wishlist all year long for when the right occasion arrives. Did you know that it also suggests gifts for the holidays? You just have to wait for the right time to see them.

Usually, the recommendations page updates to align with specific events. Towards the end of the year, you’ll see suggestions for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. If your budget is a bit tight, I suggest you wait for items to go on sale and buy them when they fit your finances.

Generate Gifts Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Giftagram

Giftagram takes gifts a step further than most apps. Not only does it provide ideas for your family or colleagues, but it integrates with your contact list. That means you’ll receive notifications for their birthdays, making sure you look like a thoughtful person. It’s ok; we won’t tell anyone you forgot.

When it comes to the end-of-the-year festivities, you’ll want to make sure you send your colleagues gifts before you go on leave. Giftagram is ideal for seeing where there are discounts and what the ideal presents will be for them.

Generate Gifts Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Giftster

Here’s an app that lets you search for gifts from participating stores and fetch them to save on your phone. You can then order the present at any time. That’s not the best part, though. If you make groups with friends and family, you can recommend gift ideas to each other secretly for one of the members.

If they’re also on Giftster, you can see any wish list items they’ve saved. It gives you the ability to see what they want and surprise them. Also, it will tell you if someone else has already reserved that gift or if it’s been duplicated. You’ll also have a record of all the presents you’ve sent thus far.

Generate Gifts Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Elfster: The Secret Santa App

Have you ever been part of a Secret Santa event at work or home, ending up without any ideas for presents? Elfster: The Secret Santa App is the ideal solution, helping you add real or fake names for gift ideas. You can use it for any occasion, but Christmas is the one it’s mostly aimed at.

It works better if your colleagues or family members are also on the app. They can add items to their wishlist that you can access and view for ideas. You don’t necessarily have to buy that exact item, as you can get something similar. Elfster also has a handy event planner so everyone knows when the Secret Santa date and time is.

Generate Gift Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Goody – Easy Gifting

Have you ever considered letting your recipient see the gift first before sending it to them? Goody – Easy Gifting has a curated list of presents that many users have loved, letting you virtually wrap them. All you need to do is indicate which contact on your list you want to send it to.

From there, the recipient will receive a message with the virtual gift. After unwrapping it, they can decide if they would like it sent to their location as a physical present. You’ll have to pay if they choose to do so, so make sure you keep the funds in your account until then. You can also opt just to send a virtual gift with no delivery.

Generate Gift Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Christmas Gift List

This app takes present ideas to the next level. As you see items someone might like throughout the year, you can add them to Christmas Gift List with the price value. It saves all the details for each of your contacts so you have a detailed registry for when the end of the year arrives.

It also helps with your budget. If you indicate how much you’re willing to spend on gifts, you can quickly see which will be the best options for your friends and family. It’s one of the best ways to make sure you don’t overspend these holidays.

Generate Gift Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Christmas Gift List Tracker

Here’s another app that lets you list all the wonderful ideas you have for presents. Christmas Gift List Tracker also marks any purchases you make off the list while keeping it in the archives. In this way, you’ll quickly notice if you’re already given someone that same present a few years ago.

Generate Gift Ideas without Effort these Holidays

Find those perfect gifts

Now you have no excuse not to get that special someone a gift for Christmas or the holidays. With technology making our lives easier in some regards, your phone can help you determine the best present. It helps if you have access to a wishlist to buy something they’ll really appreciate. The time for guessing is over.

Become Santa Claus to Bring Gifts to Children this Festive Season

What’s a better way to spend the holidays than becoming Santa, exploring different environments as you try to save Christmas? You’ve worked hard to prepare your home and meals, and now it’s time for you to relax for a game or two. Let’s leave the tracking of Santa to others.

In this list, we’ll show you different games where you become Santa in different forms. Some are cute and friendly, while others are more aggressive. It all depends on the type of game you enjoy playing. 

Elf Bowling 2

You may recall the first game where you play as Santa and knocked a bunch of pins down consisting of your little helpers. In Elf Bowling 2, Santa is on holiday, which means you play in different exotic locations. It’s time for you to unwind before you head out to deliver gifts to the children.

The main difference in Elf Bowling 2 is that you’ll see how far you can bowl the little elves. If you roll too far, they’ll fall off the end of the ship or out of bounds. It will test your ability to master distance and power to get them in the right spots for a high score.

Become Santa Claus

Santa Claus in Trouble

It’s time to deliver the presents to the children, but there’s one small problem. You’ve lost them all over the village, and you need to find them before it’s too late. In Santa Claus in Trouble, you run around a 3D environment trying to locate the gifts.

You’ll spend ten levels running and jumping along rooftops and over chimneys. There are plenty of obstacles in your way, but you can see where the gifts have landed. Can Santa find all of them before the sun rises?

Become Santa Claus

Santa Claus Save the Christmas

If you love retro arcade games that remind you of Super Mario Bros. or Ice Climber, you’ll enjoy Santa Claus Save the Christmas. Once again, you need to find all the presents without anyone getting in your way. This time, it plays out on a 2D platform where you jump to obtain the floating gifts.

There are 81 levels to enjoy. You’ll have snowballs as your weapon, but you’ll have limited lives. That means not letting any of the baddies hit you while you’re on your quest as Santa. You’ll love the carols that accompany you into battle. 

Become Santa Claus

Santa Run

Here’s a browser game you can play online without downloading any files. Santa Run presents basic gameplay where you need to run as far as you can while avoiding obstacles. It’s a lonely journey, and none of your elves or reindeer are anywhere to be seen.

You can turn left and right while having the option to jump onto the platforms. The 2D environments have pleasant visuals, and even your children can have a go at this one. Let’s see which of you can go the furthest without crashing.

Become Santa Claus

Talking Santa

I’m sure many of you know Talking Tom or Angela. Now, you can make the jolly fellow talk and do things in Talking Santa. It will look and sound as if you’re Santa, walking around on the screen and shouting at the elves.

You can treat your family and friends to postcards from you as Santa. All you need to do is line up the cast of the game franchise, making them pose in silly positions. It’s sure to bring a chuckle to anyone on the receiving end. Be sure to let your friends know if they’ve been naughty or nice.

Become Santa Claus

Santa Christmas Escape Mission

What’s harder than trying to prepare gifts for Christmas than having to fight off Grinch men trying to destroy your factory? In Santa Christmas Escape Mission, you need to run around a 3D environment to hit them on the head with a massive candy cane. You should also put out the fires they started.

It gets worse. The Grinch has kidnapped the children to make sure they don’t get gifts. It’s up to you as Santa to find them, freeing them so they can have a jolly Christmas. There are different chapters to enjoy, each becoming more challenging until you finally save the holidays.

Become Santa Claus

Fight of Gods

Let’s move to games for a more mature audience. Fight of Gods is a platform fighting game where deities battle for supremacy in the galaxy. While he might have been a late addition to the roster, you can now select Santa to fight the other divine beings to show who’s superior.

There are different combos and moves to use, making sure you’re the one left standing in the battle. Also, the stages and environments have stunning visuals.If you have a sensitive religious nature, it’s best to stay away from this one since there are many deities you may recognize. 

Become Santa Claus

Winter Clash 3D

Our last game is a first-person shooter with graphics that resemble Fortnite. Evil elves abound to ruin Christmas and stop you from delivering gifts to children around the world. Stocked with firearms and explosives, it’s your job as Santa to put an end to their ritualistic plans.

You’ll have power-ups and items to help you along the way. Special boots let you pick up speed in the multiplayer game so you can quickly eliminate enemies. Also, you can upgrade Santa to become more powerful, letting know one stand in your way of accomplishing your mission.

Become Santa Claus

Shake your belly like a bowl full of jelly

It’s time for you to stop reading and don that Santa hat to save Christmas. Children are waiting for their gifts, and it’s your chance to make sure that happens. Of course, you can choose one of the top exciting ways to do so.

How to entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Are you ready for that time of the year when you’re entertaining guests, preparing events, and extremely busy for the holidays? The issue is that your children have way more time on their hands, annoying you with their boredom. It doesn’t have to be that way. You can use technology to keep them busy in a healthy way that doesn’t involve video games.

Here are some apps that are sure to entertain your kids these holidays so you can focus on your tasks at home and in the shops. They’re so much fun, you might end up joining them when you have a free moment. It will keep them occupied while they wait for Santa to arrive.

Pepi Wonder World

While parents are running around trying to prepare for the holidays, children are usually bored. Sure, they have television and video games, but these aren’t always available and are not healthy options either. Pepi Wonder World provides a way to stimulate your child’s mind while being entertaining.

The app features stories that your child can create in any way they see fit. There are different themes, environments, and characters, all of which can be moved on the app. It’s a life simulator that will keep them busy for hours.

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Elf on the Shelf

While this merchandise is popular in stores in other forms, Elf on the Shelf is also an educational and fun app for kids these holidays. There are memory-matching games to see how well they remember what they see. As they progress, the levels become increasingly more challenging to complete. 

The app also has stories for children to read so that they don’t forget vocabulary over the holidays. It’s presented in a fun way so that they feel like they’re learning while having fun. In this way, they’’ll be eager to learn more words when they return to school.

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

AR Sports Basketball

The weather isn’t always pleasant when it comes to the holidays, especially in areas with heavy snow or rain at that time of the year. Being indoors can put a strain on everyone, especially the kids who want to be active. With AR Sports Basketball, they can still be sporty without destroying the house.

It places a basketball hoop on any wall you aim it at. You then flick the ball up and try to score without it bouncing outside. Fortunately, more than one player can enjoy it by taking turns, so all the siblings, and adults, can have fun trying to gain as many points as possible in the allocated time.

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Waypoint Edu

How about an old-fashioned treasure hunt around your house? Waypoint Edu was made for teachers and students, but it works for parents too. All you have to do is set up the treasure hunt with easy-to-follow instructions. 

It’s more than just a simple scavenger hunt game. You can set it up that there are lessons along the way, teaching children about ancient history or other educational topics. You’ll just need to make sure the quizzes and subjects are appropriate for your child’s age.

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Agents of Discovery

It’s time for your child to become a secret agent for the holidays! Agents of Discovery presents unique missions where they need to explore the backyard, flowers, or the environment. Topics such as nature, history, culture, science, and more are covered in the questions.

Images also play significant roles in the app. They’ll need to identify colors or match images to the ones presented on the screen. In a way, it’s also a hunting game, but more with a scientific or educational approach. 

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Quiver 3D Coloring App

If your child has been struggling with illustrations, you may want to try Quiver 3D Coloring App. There are plenty of tools and instruments, letting them choose how they would like to complete assignments. When they’re done, the image or animals come to life, bringing a smile to your child’s face.

Parents and teachers can also engage with the dashboard, which holds several lessons for over the holidays. You can also save and print the images if you’d like your child to physically color them in with crayons, pencils, or other instruments.

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

ARrrrgh!

Arrrgh, swab the decks, me matey! With this app, your children become pirates on the hunt for treasure and gold. The rooms change around them, while a map guides them to where they should look. It will have them busy searching various locations with a parrot guiding them.

When they find the right spot, they can virtually dig into the floor to see what they find. Of course, you need to make sure they don’t really, physically dig into your floor, as that can cause problems. 

entertain the kids while you prepare everything for the holidays

Now everyone is busy for the holidays

There you have it! Now that your kids are busy, you can continue preparing for the holidays. They’ll have so much fun while also learning about important topics in life. Be sure to visit our site daily until Christmas and beyond, as we’ll be sharing more tips and apps.

Santa is coming: time to follow him for your children to see

We’re closer to that time of year when we meet with family and celebrate Christmas. A fun activity for children is to track the location of Santa, so they know when he’s arriving to drop off gifts. If you’re really into the spirit, it will give a heads-up of when to prepare those milk and cookies.

Here are some of the top apps and sites you can use to track Santa’s location this festive season.

Google Santa Tracker

Welcome to the North Pole where you can play in the snow and have fun with the elves on Google Santa Tracker. You can help make some of Santa’s helpers or take selfies with the infamous gift-giver. There’s even a Code Lab, giving you a taste of making toys for the holidays.

If you want to chill to a film, there’s a theatre where you can watch YouTube movies and relax between all the fun games. At the top of the screen, a timer is ticking down to let you know when Santa and Christmas are arriving. It will also give you Santa’s location on the special day.

Santa track location

Santa Tracker: Where is Santa?

With the Santa Tracker: Where is Santa app, your inner stalker can go wild about learning more than just his location. It tells you how many cookies and milk he’s had on his trip and how many gifts are left to deliver. There’s a map showing his specific location at a given time, but you can also check other stats.

When you’re not watching where Santa is, you can play holiday games on the app. There’s a countdown timer, and you can email Santa to ask him for a special present. You can even keep track of him on your social media feed!

Santa track location

Santa Tracker – Track Santa

Are you wondering why Santa’s taking so long to get to you, children? Santa Tracker – Track Santa lets you see what he’s up to while you wait. He could be feeding the reindeer, shopping for some food, or wrapping new presents. This intuitive app will keep you updated all the time.

You can also see how long it will take before he arrives at your home. There are small location icons, letting you switch between Santa, the North Pole, and your home. Also, you can watch him travel along the map to keep eyes on him at all times. 

Santa track location

Santa Video Call & Tracker – North Pole

What’s a better way to track Santa than to call him and ask where he is? Santa Video Call & Tracker – North Pole, or PNP-Portable North Pole, lets you simulate a video call where you can see him on your screen. Also, you’ll be able to record your reaction to his message, which can be saved and shared.

There are also activities for children on the app in preparation for the holiday season. To prove your child has been good, you can upgrade your app to receive a Nice List certificate. It’s an excellent way to be active while waiting for Santa to arrive.

Santa track location

Call from Santa Tracker

Here’s another app that lets you track and call Santa. Call from Santa Tracker includes video calls to the jolly old man, where he can tell you what he’s been up to. There’s also a countdown timer indicating how long it will be before he arrived at your location.

You can also make Christmas stories with your images in the app. If you want to test your Santa knowledge, you and your children can take the built-in quiz. 

Santa track location

TVFB Santa Tracker

The Titirangi Volunteer Fire Brigade holds an annual Lolly Run with Santa riding on the back of the fire truck and handing out gifts. The fire station is located in Auckland, New Zealand. It takes a specific route in the city, which means you won’t want to miss out if you live there.

With the help of TVFB Santa Tracker, you can watch where Santa is traveling to make sure you meet him at a location near you. There will be a few stops along the way, but that’s the time to grab your phone and take a few selfies.

Santa track location

Santa tracker Where is Santa Сlaus prank game

Here’s a fun twist on tracking Santa. Santa tracker Where is Santa Сlaus prank game is a way to prank your family and friends, telling them that he’s in a location near them. It’s more of a game than a real tracker, but it features similar elements as many of the other apps on this list.

Santa track location

Get ready for tracking this festive season

It’s time to unleash your inner Santa stalker and see where he is during Christmas! It’s all fun and games so that your children can have a lovely time these holidays, even if it’s make-believe. You can spice it up with your imagination to make it more entertaining for them.

Just bear in mind that some of these apps may change at the last moment, or tours may be canceled if something unforeseeable happens. Still, it’s a great way to track Santa, even if it’s in a virtual space.

Watch: Family’s White Elephant Christmas competitions are next-level amazing

This Christmas was more fun than your Christmas.

family christmas games

Christmas is a time for family. Unfortunately, that often means a momentary catch-up, followed by awkward silences and everyone turning to their phones for comfort. But Twitter user Adrienne Young comes from a family that knows how to take Christmas to the next level.

While you may have experienced a White Elephant gift exchange before, you’ve probably never experienced one that forced you to defeat a family member to claim the prized present. Young’s family makes it an annual tradition – sure, you can steal a gift, but you have to earn it. Young posted videos of the challenges on Twitter.

Fun, right? Oh, we’re just getting started…

Yes, there’s more…

No, we’re not done…

Can we come to your house next Christmas, Adrienne?

The Christmas sting operation to save your gifts

The police are using fake Amazon packages to try and catch thieves

amazon packages

Over the holiday season, packages from Amazon and others have been whizzing all over the country. Some of these will end up waiting on our doorsteps until we arrive home from work. Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable to thieves. Yep, people have been stealing packages off people’s doorsteps even if they contain Christmas presents. Shocking, I know, but there is good news to help ease your holiday worries.

The police are using fake Amazon packages to try and catch thieves

The Associated Press reported that police in Jersey City ran sting operations in the run-up to Christmas, in order to tackle a growing problem up and down the country. They’ve been using fake Amazon packages with GPS transmitters inside them to catch the thieves red-handed. They’ve also been using doorbell cameras on the homes where they’ve been leaving their special packages to try and catch an image of the thieves doing the dirty deed.

These sting operations have been taking place in areas where the police have been receiving more reports of package theft. There are limits to the operation, but it has seen success. Obviously, the police can’t deliver as many packages as Amazon, but one of the sting packages was stolen a mere three minutes after if it was put out on somebody’s porch. The suspect was caught. Hopefully, word of these types of sting operation will spread and act as a deterrent that will make thieves think twice before they make off with that Amazon box.

Actions like these Jersey City sting operations are important as package theft has developed into a very real problem. Internet shopping is now a huge business and the amount of stuff we buy online grows every year. According to Adobe Analytics, we’ll have spent a massive $124.1 billion dollars online in November and December alone. This is up nearly 15% over last year. The more packages we buy, the more chances that somebody will take one of them before we get home. Between 8-30% of Americans have had a package stolen at some point.

In the meantime, there are a few tips you can follow to try and stop thieves from stealing your packages.

How to keep your packages from getting stolen

  • Install a doorbell camera, that will allow you to keep an eye on your porch even if you’re not home.
  • Have packages delivered to your workplace.
  • Require a signature for delivery so that the courier can’t just leave the package on your porch.

5 best online shopping sites for your pets

Here are 5 great sites to treat your pet this holiday season!

With the holiday season fast approaching, the scramble to buy presents is already upon us. We’ve got presents for the kids (if you haven’t heard of Fortnite … look up Fortnite), presents for your parents, gifts for your friends and co-workers … and you better not forget gifts for your pets!

But how to pick the best gift for your furry friend? Many a feline owner has piles of cat toys littering the corners of their living room or den – deemed sub-par by their recipients. Get a chew toy for your dog and they’ll likely enjoy it for a few hours before utterly demolishing it to a pile of rags and fluff all over your carpet.

Fear not, because there’s a toy out there for every pet, and we’re going to help you find the best! Better yet, everything on our list can be delivered right to your door! So no need to worry about Christmas shopping or the mad rush of Black Friday. Take a look at our top 5 suggestions.

Best online shopping sites for pet supplies

1. Beds, crates, and gates

If you’ve got a finicky feaster or a demolition doggy who likes to trash his toys, this might be the best place to start. Petflow.com has a huge variety of gifts for all kinds of animals, and in our experience giving your pet a pillow, bed, blanket, or cage that they can call their own is a sure-fire way of saying ‘you’re part of the family and you have a home here.’

Your cat will feel so happy and at home with a new warm cat bed.

We also find these gifts are especially good for families with multiple pets; this way everybody’s got a spot to lay claim to where they’ll feel cozy and welcome during the holidays.

2. Barkshop is a dog’s paradise

Be it chew toys, plush pals, tasty treats, or even health helpers, Barkshop.com is canine capital. “We’re here for you and your dog. We’ve never met your dog, but we know we love them,” they say, and looking at the awesome selection, we’ve got to agree! Our favorite thing about Barkshop is that they don’t just have a section for toys or a section for food. They’ve got subcategories for practically everything, so they can cater their products to exactly what you need.

Make this year an awesome Christmas for your pupper!

Take Wellness, for example: Aside from just general health, you can specifically look for supplements, anxiety, or CBD (which they suggest using if your dog suffers from stress, pain relief, or chronic illness).

3. Your bird deserves presents too!

There are websites all over the place that readily offer gifts for your dog or cat, but when it comes to less common animals like birds or horses it gets a little trickier. Luckily Budgetpetcare has you covered. They’ve got loads of health items for your bird to keep them happy and in good spirits for this holiday season, such as crop conker treatments, mediworm powder, anti-oxidant powders, and more.

For horses they’ve got all manner of bots, skin care products, and protection against tapeworms, redworms, and roundworms.

Not a reindeer, but the next closest thing!

4. All the cat supplies you could ever want

EntirelyPets offers items for far more than just cats, but when it comes to our feline friends, they’ve got a selection that’s hard to top. Their toy selection alone boasts a lot of versatility, offering toys in rubber or plush, but they’ve also got more reliable standards like scratching posts and of course the infamous laser pointers.

We like EntirelyPets because toys aren’t all they do, either. They’ve also got dry food, wet food, and a slew of health products, skin and coat care vitamins, behavior and training options, and food supplements to keep your cat in tip-top shape!

5. Don’t forget the little guys!

Amazon.com is probably the first place that comes to mind when you consider online shopping, and we’ve got to admit – they do an incredible job when it comes to offering products for small animals like gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, or chinchillas. Check out their selection of Timothy Hay, pellets, cages, toys, and brushes!

Christmas bunnies!

You probably won’t find necessities with quality ratings this high or prices this low on any of the other sites we mentioned, so if you’re on a budget, but love your pet and are looking for a good time to stock up, Amazon’s selection is right up your alley!

Let us know if we helped you find what you were looking for, and Happy holidays to you and your pet!

Top 8 gag gifts to give this Christmas

Laughter is the best gift. Here’s how to deliver.

gift ideas

We know what it’s like to be a terrible gift giver, and if you’re like us, Christmas is a stressful time of the year. The thought of giving someone you care about a present and the fear of them being disappointed can be too much to bear. The good news is that you can mask your crippling fear of rejection with humor! Check out the list below of gag gifts that your loved ones will enjoy.

Top 8 gag gifts to give for the holidays

1. Selfie Toaster

selfie toaster

Ideal gift for: the cousin who has a picture of herself as her phone background.

The selfie toaster is perfect for your most conceited loved one. When you order, you’ll be prompted to submit a photo for the toaster’s insert. Make sure that the photo has a bright background behind the subject, and bam – an edible face. Purchase one for $49.99, and pay a little more if you want more than one insert.

2. Crafting with Cat Hair Book

crafting with cat hair

Ideal gift for: the coworker who has no idea what a lint roller is.

Coin purses for your change, and warm winter mittens – there’s nothing you can’t create with cat hair, apparently. For an affordable price, the receiver of this book will have enough craft inspiration to last them a lifetime, and they’ll be doing a favor for everyone that they come in contact with that is allergic to cats as well.

3. Star-Filled Envelope

star filled envelope

Ideal gift for: that friend who won’t shut up about Mercury being in retrograde.

It’s okay. Bad things happen and crappy decisions are made, but you can’t blame it on the planets. The inside of this envelope is black and speckled with little glowing stars, so hopefully ,your annoying friend is so busy trying to see her future that she won’t have time bore you to death with her daily horoscope. Where there’s one, there are many, so buy a pack of five and have her pass them out to her other friends.

4. Chewbacca Hoodie

chewbacca hoodie

Ideal gift for: the person who is always cold.

Winter is coming and if you’re in a part of the world that experiences it, get this gift for the person you know who is always wearing three pairs of socks and a hat inside. They’ll be warm and stylish and your heating bill won’t suffer. It’ll keep you warmer than the inside of a tauntaun. Buy yours from Amazon.

5. Unforgettable Senior Moments Book

senior moments book

Ideal gift for: anyone 30 years old or above.

Technically, we die a little every day. Tease anyone older than you with this book of the funniest moments of forgetfulness. Let’s hope they’ll remember to read it. Buy it on Amazon.

6. World’s Largest Cup of Coffee

largest cup of coffee

Ideal gift for: the person who spends half of their paycheck at Starbucks.

If the person who gets this gift actually tries to drink from this cup, you should probably worry. Hey, at least they’ll be able to tell concerned family and friends that they only had one cup of coffee today. Grab yours from Amazon today.

7. Customized Fortune Cookies

customized fortune cookies

Ideal gift for: anyone and everyone.

This gift is great because you can personalize it for anyone you can think of and have it say anything. Message for your Mom? How about “I don’t want to have children”? For your boss? “I don’t get paid enough to deal with you.”  Nothing is off-limits, so have at it. These cookies come in a variety of different flavors starting at 25 cents per cookie, so check out your options here.

8. Wine Bottle Puzzle

wine bottle puzzle

Ideal gift for: the aunt that you only see at Christmas who drinks all the wine, then leaves.

If your moods tend to get a little elevated at your family gatherings when alcohol is involved,  gift this to the person most responsible. Greet them at the door with it, then hide the rest of the alcohol. Everyone else will thank you, and you’ll have about 50% fewer arguments happening around the dinner table. Pick from a variety of different puzzles from Amazon.

There’s something for everyone on this list, so give these gifts and have a hilarious holiday season.

 

How to call Santa using Google Assistant

You can now call Santa Claus using Google Assistant

google assistant can talk to santa

Every year, Google helps kids around the world track Santa as he brings them their presents on Christmas Eve. This year will be no different and Google’s Santa tracker should come online again on December 24. This year, however, Google is going one better and if you’ve got a Google Assistant powered device, like the Google Home, you and your kids are in for a treat.

Google Assistant Download now ►
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You can now call Santa Claus using Google Assistant

We know this one isn’t just for the kids. We all go through that brief period between the ages of around 11 to 21 when we stop believing in Santa. The jolly guy then comes back into our lives as we grow a little older and become a little more mature. We all realize Santa is real and then spend our adult lives regretting those few teenage years we spent doubting the big guy. Well now, thanks to the Google Assistant, we can call him up and speak to him ourselves and so can our kids. All we have to do is call out, “Hey Google, call Santa,” to open up a direct line to the North Pole.

Of course, in the run up to Christmas, Santa will be very busy so there is no telling what he’ll be up to when you call him. If you’re planning on telling Santa what you want for Christmas this year, you might not get the chance. This means it’ll probably be a good idea to still send him that letter, like you do every year. That way you can just enjoy your call to Santa rather than worrying about letting him know everything you hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

This new skill for Google Assistant is part of seven new holiday-themed features from Google. These new skills include creating gift lists, adding a little extra magic to Christmas story time, and even responding positively when you ask for things nicely, saying ‘please’ or ‘thank you.’ As well as bringing a little magic when you read a story to your children, Google Assistant is now able to read stories aloud if you don’t have any books with you. Assistant can now read over 50 stories. You can ask for specific stories or you can ask for stories based on a theme by saying something like, “Hey Google, tell me a story about Christmas.”

You’ll be able to use any of these new Christmas-themed skills and, most importantly, call Santa from any Google Assistant enabled device. These include the Google Home and Google Home mini, but also many Android smartphones now come packed with Google Assistant baked in. If you have a Google Assistant-enabled device that has a screen, then you’ll also be able to view fun holiday-themed visuals to go with all of the audio related to the new skills.