It’s time to put the phone in Elf Mode and get ready for the holiday shopping season. Mobile Moms are here to stay, and according to Baby Center’s latest report, apps with tools for savings and convenience top the wish list. Here are five tech savvy resources for managing the holidays from the palm of your hand.
Save money with app coupons
Have you ever meant to use a coupon, but forgot the paper at home? Apps solve this problem by making coupons available straight from your phone. These days, I look up major retailers to see if they have an app. Michael’s Crafts has a coupon section in their app which is linked to a local store. The most recent savings are always with me just by opening the app in the checkout line. Ching!
Use Google for price comparisons and sale scheduling
During a recent SheKnows Twitter party about Black Friday, several attendees suggested Google Shopping for price comparisons on popular products. Done in advance, this research can help identify the best deals for holiday gifts. If deals are time-limited, Google Calendar can be used to schedule reminders. I’ve color coded sale events on Google Calendar, marking them in holiday red.
Personalize the holidays with Shutterfly’s photo gifts
Many of the year’s best photos are stored in my iPhone’s camera roll. Using Shutterfly’s mobile app, I can select images directly from my phone to design a print or photo gift. Time I save shopping and uploading albums is redirected to thoughtful and personalized holiday gifting with a simple swipe and tap.
Find the perfect gift card with Amazon
Gift cards are ideal for teachers, coaches, colleagues, or anyone we’d like to recognize across the miles. Amazon’s holiday gift cards can be tailored to meet every need. Would you like the gift card emailed, printed at home, in a greeting card, in a gift box, in the form of a bookmark, or animated? Your choice. And yes, I said a “bookmark” — how cool is that?
Make shipping fun and easy with USPS
‘Tis the Season at USPS. United States Postal Service just launched a site especially for the holidays at http://ourseason.com. Navigate to the site from your phone’s web browser and share to your home screen for an easily accessible mobile version. Once there, you can order free holiday shipping boxes (so festive!), browse holiday stamps, schedule a pickup, track a package, and even download an augmented reality app for festive postal animations. No kidding!
How have you been using apps to help get organized for the holidays? I’m sure the Elves would love to know. Ho Ho Ho!!!
@LorraineAkemann | Cofounder and Editor | Moms With Apps
