There’s no need to hem and haw about the difficulties of the holidays; we’ve all had to face the stresses of shopping, the pressure of hosting in-laws, and the overwhelming number of obligations that are associated with this event-laden season. It’s not that there aren’t wonderful things to look forward to, like seeing loved ones, enjoying holiday goodies, and partaking of the many special traditions that only come around once a year. But it seems like there are an equal number of drawbacks that leave many people contemplating turning off the phone and crawling under the covers for an extended hibernation. Too bad we can’t all disappear and come back to find all the holiday preparations miraculously completed in our absence. Fortunately, your favorite Apple devices can now help you get everything done with less stress and time to spare. Here are a few good holiday apps (and they’re all free!).

1. Errands To-Do List. This app gets rave reviews from users who love the ease of use, “repeat” functionality, and many organizational options. For those making shopping lists (for gifts and groceries) and coordinating holiday events, it’s a great way to get everything in order, set audible reminders to keep you on track, and of course, make those lists and check them twice.
2. ShopSavvy. Are you tired of returning from a shopping trip, glowing with the success of saving on your purchases, only to look online and find the items you just bought for less somewhere else? Savvy shoppers know that the only way to get the best price when you’re on the go is with a barcode-scanning app. This one delivers a list of the best prices at both local stores and online e-Commerce sites. And it even offers coupons, shipping rebates, and notices of upcoming sales so that you can get even better deals! As comparison shopping goes, it really doesn’t get any easier.
3. Christmas Countdown Recipes Lite. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas at this time of year, this app can provide you with over 200 recipes that are great for cold weather and wintertime fun. Whether you’re looking to try a few new fondue recipes or you’d rather make traditional favorites like gingerbread houses and minty hot chocolate, this app will help you get into the spirit of the season with some tasty treats and entrees from the kitchen (plus shopping lists for every recipe).
4. Photogram. If you simply don’t have time to attend to your holiday card list this year, check out this handy app that lets you create personalized greeting cards and send them out with a flick of your finger. You can choose from a library of theme cards, add up to four photos and a personal message, and then send out e-cards to friends and family individually or by group via email, Facebook, and Twitter. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure all of your favorite people get a holiday card this year. The only thing better than getting a free cell phone is filling it with fabulous free apps like this one.
5. Christmas Carol Music and Lyrics. If you’ve always dreamed of touring your neighborhood singing carols but you were too worried about forgetting the lyrics and singing off-key, here’s your chance to do it right with music and lyrics that you can take on your local tour. With the lyrics for 22 popular holiday tunes at your fingertips and an organ to accompany you, there’s no reason to stay home (unless it’s for the fireplace and the hot cocoa).

Editor’s Note

Thanks to Evan Fischer for this quest post. He is a freelance writer and part-time student at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.