November is almost over, the shops are full of mince pies and brightly colored decorations, and the temperature has suddenly plummeted. it can only mean one thing; Christmas is just around the corner. We’ve decided to get into the festive spirit a little early, and have rounded up the best seasonal apps for your iPhone; from virtual letters to Santa Claus to a handy gift planner, and even a talking Gingerbread Man, there’s something for the old, the young, and the young-at-heart. Ding dong merrily on high!
Christmas App for Children
1. Letters to Santa Claus ($0.99)
Letters to Santa clause is the twenty-first century version of putting a note up the chimney; your child can write a letter to Santa, and then as if by magic, receive a reply roughly an hour later. With the ability to send cookies, bells, and mittens along with the letter, this is a charming app that will delight kids and add to the festive excitement.
2. Santa Tracker ($0.99)
If your kids aren’t already excited enough about Christmas, turn them even more manic with the Santa Tracker app, which does a lot more than it says on the tin. Combining the ability to see exactly where Santa and his reindeer are on a satellite map with extra features such as Santa’s blog, texts from the man himself, and sleigh ride test runs, this clever app will keep the little ones entertained in the countdown to the big day.
3. Appy Christmas (free)
If you’re looking for a festive app that covers all bases, thenAppy Christmas could be just what you’re looking for. Featuring a countdown timer, festive music, and an advent calendar, this app will make the run-up to Christmas Day a lot more fun, while the talking Santa will amuse children and adults alike.
4. Talking Gingerbread Man (free)
We’ve had talking cats and conversational Santas, and now for the festive season, turn your attention to the Talking Gingerbread Man app. Make him talk, provide him with bells for ringing, and choreograph him a dance to the sound of cheery Christmas tunes; this is certainly the most entertaining cookie you’ll stumble across this season.
5. Snowman Maker (free)
While the chance of a white Christmas might be slim, that doesn’t mean you have to cross making snowmen off of your festive list completely, the Snowman Maker app allows you to choose the body, head, arms, and facial features of your ideal snowman, then add on clothing, sunglasses, accessories, and even pets. Hours of fun for the entire family!
Christmas Apps for Adults
1. Christmas (free)
For any adults that truly adore the festive season, the Christmas app is the ideal addition to your iPhone this December. With great features such as a countdown, cheery Christmas music, jigsaw puzzles, and even wallpaper, this app will help even the Scroogiest members of the family get into the spirit of things.
2. GiftPlanner (free)
You know what they say; an app is for life, not just for Christmas; and this is certainly true of the excellent GiftPlannerapp which helps to keep track of everything you’re buying, whether it’s for the festive season, Easter or even birthdays. A seriously comprehensive app, it features the ability to track wish lists, scan barcodes, and keep a note of required sizes and other important details. You’ll never forget a birthday again.
3. Santa's Christmas Village ($1.99)
A great all round app, Santa's Christmas Village combines seventeen fun puzzles with traditional music, and hand-drawn graphics for hours of entertainment. Pass the Christmas countdown by indulging in festive Sudoko, snowman hangman, and reindeer match, amongst many, many others. Great fun.
4. Good Food Festive Recipes app ($2.99)
If you’re the designated cook, a good food app will definitely come in handy this season, and they don’t come much more useful than the Good Food Festive Recipes app. Featuring over 150 great recipes, handy tips for basic food preparation, and beautifully simple instructions, you’ll find directions for dishes for every event, from a family dinner to festive parties.