I can’t believe how fast this year has gone and that we are days away from celebrating Thanksgiving. As we continue to work and be busy parents, spouses, and friends, you may have gotten behind on your holiday planning. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year because it’s all about family and spending time with your loved ones. So it’s the perfect time to try out some of my favorite apps that can make planning easier so you don’t waste quality time shopping or in the kitchen.
Top Apps to Help You This Thanksgiving
Here are the top apps you should try out right now:
Paperless Post: Invitations and eCards
Have you forgotten to send invitations to everyone you want to see on Thursday? Send them a beautiful invitation via this free app available via the Apple App Store. Cards vary by price and they have many different ways you can customize it.
If you’ve already invited your guests, use this to formally pass on your address and to track if anyone plans to bring any guests.
If you’re not already on Pinterest, be aware that you might become addicted. This social media app helps you create boards based on any topic that you like. So if you’re planning an intimate Thanksgiving dinner for two or a vegetarian meal for 12, you can plan your entire menu, find decoration inspiration, and you can even find how-to videos for how to style your hair and do your makeup.
Pinterest is available free of charge from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Saucey: The Alcohol Delivery App
Did you run out of time to get the alcohol you need for your party? Did people show up unexpected or did guests show up with a surprise plus one? Fret not, with Saucey you can order beer, wine, or liquer and have it delivered to your house in under an hour.
Currently this service is only available in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago. You can download the app via the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Food Network in the Kitchen
If you’re serious about cooking and you know most of the chefs from The Food Network by name, this is the app for you. Whether you’re looking for a recipe you saw on your favorite show and just randomly need a recipe, you have more than 50,000 to choose from. If you need something more visual, you have a wide variety of videos available to help you.
The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Pandora
I’ve been using Pandora for many years and I have created so many playlists I can use for various situations. You can create your playlists based on an artist or band that you like or by genre. Pandora will add music by artists that are similar or part of that genre and you vote up or down so that the service can learn your taste. You can also just let it play or switch to a different list.
There’s a free version that includes advertisements and limited song skips or you can spring for the paid version Pandora Plus for $4.99 per month or $54.89 yearly.
The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Amazon
If you need food, supplies, gifts, decorations…nearly anything you need is available via the Amazon app. They offer a huge selection of items via two day shipping if you’re an Amazon Prime member and a slightly smaller list of things you can get same day.
The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
If you want to be your own home bartender, you need the Lush Cocktails available through the Apple App Store for $1.99. It’s simple UI will help make you feel like you’re Tom Cruise in Cocktail, just try his bar tricks at your own risk.
Did you just find out that one of your guests has an allergy? Did you forget to pick up an ingredient and it’s the very last minute? With the Substitutions app you can quickly find how to replace most ingredients.
You can purchase the app for iPhone and iPad for $1.99.
If you’re not sure what wine goes with your dinner or dessert, download the Wine Spectator app immediately. There are a variety of articles and videos to help you learn a lot about how to buy, taste and store wine as well as how to select the perfect companion to your meal.
The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Snapchat
Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media apps thanks to their silly filters and fun add-ons that will become a favorite from toddlers to seniors. Do you want to make a video of you and your grandma looking like adorable puppies? You can! Who knows what time of fun additions they’ll have for Thanksgiving.
You can also download the fun videos or photos and share them on Instagram.
The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
