Christmas is very nearly upon us, and as well as all those ingredients, presents, last minute decorations and the like, there’s something else you’ll want to ensure you have: a smartphone that’s loaded up with apps that’ll make the festive period as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Below, we take a look the ones that’ll keep you on budget, fit and healthy, and thoroughly entertained in the run-up to the big day and beyond.
A Budget Maker
There’s no getting around the fact that Christmas is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be quite as expensive as you might think, or at least it won’t if you’re able to keep track of all your outgoings. It’s easy to get a little bit carried away during the holidays, spending more than you’d like when you’re attending those Christmas social gatherings, buying presents, and supplies for your home. Download a budget tracker onto your smartphone, and you’ll be able to keep a close eye on just how much cash you’re spending. With that app by your side, there will be no nasty surprises when it comes to viewing your bank balance in January.
Cooking up a Storm
Christmas is all about good times, relaxation, and, of course, all the delicious food that you get to eat! But what if you spend the rest of the year relying on eating out and those simple meals? You’ll be under prepared to deliver the kind of feasts we all know and love about the season. By installing the popular cooking apps on your phone, you’ll have a cooking sidekick that’ll help you to deliver the best possible meals. They’ll be simple to use and understand, so even the beginner cooks can deliver top-quality meals.
Bringing the Party
You’re going to be seeing plenty of friends and family over Christmas, and that means one thing: it’s going to be one long party. Smartphones are an excellent tool for ensuring everyone can stay entertained during gatherings, with music apps and group games widely available. Download Spotify or Google Play, search for party playlists, and hey presto, you’ll have music that can get everyone into the festive groove. And with your iPhone or Android device, you won’t have to rely on Monopoly or the other traditional board games to stay entertained: you can have games like Heads Up and other group games ready for everyone to enjoy.
Solo Entertainment
While you’re going to enjoy spending time with your loved ones, you’re also going to want to spend some time by yourself. No one can spend a week always being social! And in any case, there’s going to times when you have to travel, and you’ve nothing to keep you entertained other than your device. As such, make sure you have games like Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire downloaded. It’ll help you stay in a relaxed and fun state of mind, even when you’re beginning to get tired of seeing other people.
A Moment of Peace
Of course, not everything about the festive period is enjoyable. It can be stressful, especially as there are so many things to take care of. Luckily, with your phone, you can ensure that you’re always able to grab a slice of calm and peace. Have a look at meditation and yoga apps; Head Space is a particularly good app if you’ve never done like this before. When everything is beginning to a little bit too much, just take yourself away, open the app, and in ten minutes you’ll feel refreshed and ready to rejoin the party.
Counting the Calories
A lot of the rules get thrown out over the festive period, and this is especially relevant when it comes to how much we eat and drink. From seemingly nowhere, all the good work we do during the rest of the year to keep ourselves fit can go out of the window! Install a calorie counter, and you’ll be able to see just how many calories you’re taking in. You won’t be able to get to the gym, either, so have one of those seven-minute apps ready to go. They don’t require any equipment and will keep your fitness regime ticking over until the new year.
Staying Connected
Finally, let’s not forget that Christmas is all about connecting with the people we love! Make sure you’re up to date with all the ways to stay in touch by having Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram installed on your device; they’ll help you to connect with loved ones near and far.
[Images credit: Image 1 / Image 2]
