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With Christmas around the corner and companies closing for the holidays, there are a bunch of apps that can be useful and/or entertaining during your well-deserved break. This post will cover 3 must-have Apps for this holiday season.
1. Santa’s Bag
You’ve been working hard, have not been home for a long time on a business trip, maybe taking care of the kids and just haven’t found the time to think about or do Christmas shopping. Time to buy presents is running out fast and the shops are getting crowded. If only there was an App that could help you plan and budget your shopping list. Luckily, Santa’s Bag is there to help you.
Planning
The App lets you create a recipient list where you can plan gifts, preferences and ideas for each. You also have the ability to save images of the gifts. Stores, where the gifts are available for purchase, can be researched online and be added to ease your shopping experience. This way, you know exactly where each gift will be bought. It will save you time running from store to store or help to plan each trip knowing which gifts to purchase at the same shopping centre.
Grouping and Splitting Gifts
Santa’s Bag gives you the option to allocate the same gift for numerous recipients or split the gift between two or more loved ones.
Budgeting
Make sure you only spend what you initially set aside for this year’s gifts. The App helps you track how much you have already spent per recipient and also tracks your budget as a whole.
Reports
To make sure you know exactly what is going on in your Christmas bag, the App has different categories in some tabs where you can i.e. list gifts by recipient in the Gifts tab or list the status of gifts per recipient in the Recipients tab.
Price and Download
Santa’s bag is available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad for free, with one in-app purchase to remove banner ads. The in-app purchase costs R79.99** or $4.99**.
2. Message from Santa!
To make Christmas extra special for your little ones, have a look at this app. Two main features stand out in Message from Santa! Calling Santa Claus and him calling your child.
Calling Santa Claus
Your child can “call” Santa’s voicemail and leave him a message with their wish list. Let Santa know whether your child has been a good or naughty kid this year and ask him to write it down on the list. Find out what the weather looks like in the North Pole and ask him the names of his reindeer. Last but not least, keep your children excited by asking Santa how many days are left until Christmas day.
Receive a Phone Call from Santa
Have Santa call your child. You can tell him the name, interests and age of your child (for which you unfortunately need an in-app purchase) and he will call back* with words of wisdom. It’s also a great way to discipline and motivate your child to be a good kid throughout the year.
* – The app is used for entertainment purposes only. All calls and messages are simulated.
Video and Text Messages
You can choose from three brief video messages with your child’s details such as name and a photo (for which you need that in-app purchase) to receive a video call from him. He will also text you back immediately* when you send him a message. More personalised videos are available as in-app purchases.
* – The app is used for entertainment purposes only. All calls and messages are simulated.
Suggestion
I suggest you play with the app on your own first. This way you will know exactly how each call works and what you should do to play along and make it seem real.
Price and Download
Message from Santa! is free to download and the main features are usable without an in-app purchase. To remove ads and unlock all features it will cost you R29.99** or $1.99**. Premium calls and videos will also cost you R29.99** or $1.99**. Personalised videos from Santa range between R109.99 and R299.99** or between $5.99** and $19.99**. Available on iPhone and iPad.
3. Christmas Cards – Photo Editor
Have a lot of people to send wish merry Christmas to? Download Christmas Cards – Photo Editor to ease your load.
General Features
The App spoils you with over 500 filters, effects and frames to choose from to make sure you have the best-looking Christmas card this year. The first step is to choose a template, then take a picture or import one from your gallery, add text to make it special to you, and share. That’s how easy the developers made it for you.
Special Features
You have the ability to transform into Santa by putting on his fluffy red hat or you can become one of his Elfs by putting on an Elf hat. Make everyone jealous by showing them the snow falling in your picture and be sure to start planning next year with a custom 2020 calendar template available for print.
Price and Download
Christmas Cards – Photo Editor is available for free on iPhone and iPad with a Pro subscription of R79.99 p/m** or $4.99 p/m**. In-app purchases are also available and range from R59.99** to R79.99** or $3.99 to $4.99**.
Conclusion
Whether you need to plan your shopping, entertain your kids or send your Christmas wishes to loved ones, these Apps will help you through the festive season.
** – Prices as of 8 December 2019
