The Christmas countdown is now on. And the to-do list seems to get longer every day. From buying the right gifts and planning the big food shop, to scheduling who’s visiting when. Throw in school plays, office parties and last-minute decorations, and it’s no wonder we’re all feeling frazzled. We can see why Santa has a huge army of elves to get the job done….
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t sweat it. Your smartphone can be your secret weapon! Download a few of the best free planning and organisation apps, and you’ll have everything sorted in record time. By the end of this guide, you’ll be managing your budget, tracking your prezzies and generally making this your most organised Christmas yet. Let’s dive in…
Manage your gift lists (and check them twice).
Buying gifts is arguably the biggest Christmas challenge out there. With the apps below, you won’t accidentally buy the same thing twice. Or miss someone out entirely. Basically, there’s no chance you’ll end up on the naughty list. And that frantic Christmas Eve dash to the shops from last year? That’s a thing of the past…
- Elfster – It’s especially good for your office’s next secret santa. Create a group, draw names and share your wish lists, all in one place. There’ll be no more awkward ‘who’s buying for who?’ moments. And Ian from IT won’t be forgotten and left with nothing. Phew.
- Christmas Gift List – This does exactly what it says on the tin. And it’s a genuine lifesaver. Set budgets per person, tick off when you’ve bought and wrapped a prezzie, and keep everything neat and stress-free. You can even add notes like ‘hide this in the loft’ or ‘don’t forget the batteries’. Because we’ve all been there.
- Microsoft To Do – Prefer simple? This app’s for you. Share lists with your partner so you don’t double up on gifts. Plus, it syncs across all your devices, meaning you’re always in control – and in the know!
Top tip: There’s no time like the present. Start early and update your list as you go. You’ll feel like Santa with a spreadsheet. And trust us, ticking things off is ridiculously satisfying.
Master your Christmas budget.
Christmas can get expensive quick. Especially once you start ticking off all those prezzies for the extended family. Use these apps to stay on track…
- Snoop – Link your bank accounts securely and see exactly where your cash is going. Create a special ‘Christmas’ category and track any spending on gifts, food and decorations – all in real-time. With this in your back pocket, there shouldn’t be any claus for concern…
- Emma – Another great budgeting app that categorises your spending automatically. Sit back and let it keep an eye on the finances for you. You’ll get instant alerts if you’re overspending too, letting you rein it in before things get out of hand.
Why bother though? Well, in our experience, nothing kills festive cheer faster than a big January credit card bill. Start with these and there shouldn’t be any nasty surprises. You’ll thank yourself when you can still afford a cheeky takeaway or two in the New Year.
Plan the perfect Christmas dinner (with a little help from AI).
It wouldn’t be a proper Christmas without a colossal amount of festive food. Timing everything well can be tricky though. And how can you top last year’s spread? Here’s how to get it right…
- BBC Good Food – This one’s packed with mouth-watering recipes and step-by-step guides. Whether you’re baking mince pies (yum) or boiling some sprouts (yuck), this app has you covered.
- Kitchen Stories – For those who need to see exactly how to nail the perfect pigs in blankets. This app dishes up some handy video tutorials and super clear instructions. It’s ideal for avoiding a last-minute kitchen nightmare. And, if your culinary skills stop at beans on toast, you’ll still manage to impress the rest of the family.
- AI assistants (like ChatGPT or Google Gemini) – Haven’t got a clue when to pop the Turkey in? Try a prompt like ‘create a simple cooking timeline for a Christmas dinner for 6 people, serving at 3pm.’ You’ll get a personalised schedule in seconds that breaks everything down for you. So, now you shouldn’t burn the spuds. Even if Uncle Dave does show up late again!
Why these apps make Xmas easier.
With a few smart, free apps, your phone can easily take the chaos out of Christmas. You’ll save time, money and your sanity – leaving loads more room for the fun stuff. No more hastily scribbled lists or forgotten gifts. Just smooth planning and happy faces all round. And the best part? You’ll actually have time to sit back, relax and enjoy that cheesy Christmas movie marathon.
What are your go-to apps for planning a crackin’ Christmas? Share them with us in the comments down below.
And from all of us here at iD Mobile, have a very happy (and highly organised) Christmas!
