How to survive Christmas: Cell phone tips for the holidays
The holidays are just around the corner. While some people are looking forward to seeing relatives and friends again, others are dreading these days. For others, the stress in the run-up to the event is a real headache: What should I cook, what should I give as a present and how should I entertain my children? The answers to these questions are probably already in your hands 😉 In this article, we give you app recommendations and tips on how to get through the holidays with your cell phone.
Survival tip #1: Help, what should I cook for Christmas?
Before you start shopping, you first have to plan what to put on the table. If you’re sick of fondue after all these years or are tired of the ever-popular but boring biscuits, you’ll find plenty of delicious recipes in the cooking apps. From delicious chocolate Christmas cookies and healthy alternatives such as fish or vegetarian dishes to unusual desserts: it doesn’t always have to be a heavy roast. How about a foreign Christmas dish, for example?
Important: Ask in advance about intolerances or food preferences.
The best apps for Christmas dishes
Kitchen Stories
The free Kitchen Stories is suitable for cooking novices and professionals alike. All recipes have great step-by-step photos and videos so that you don’t go wrong. If you’re cooking for lots of people, you can easily adjust the portion size in the app and add the ingredients to the shopping list. Thanks to product placement, the entire app is free of advertisements. The makers of Kitchen Stories work with chefs and food bloggers to create the recipes.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Kitchen Stories | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Chefkoch
Chefkoch is probably the best-known cooking platform in the German-speaking world. Users have uploaded over 350,000 recipes since the platform was launched in 1998, meaning that anyone can put together their own Christmas menu here. However, its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: the instructions are not always coherent and clear, especially as there is also a lot of advertising.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Chef | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Fooby
Fooby is a free recipe app from supermarket giant Coop and, with around 4000 recipes, has the fewest recipes, but all suggestions are editorially selected. The strength of the app lies in the fact that you can conveniently order all ingredients online from coop. The cooking mode also provides you with convenient step-by-step instructions so that you can concentrate on the most important thing: cooking. With Little Fooby, the app is even suitable for cooking with children.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Fooby | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Survival tips #2: Don’t just think about food!
Once you’ve put together your Christmas menu, it’s time to go shopping. Whether traditionally in the supermarket or online at Coop and co.: each shopping method has its advantages and disadvantages. If you order online, you avoid the crowds and queues at the checkouts, but pay more for groceries than in the supermarket. If you buy locally, you can also do other errands.
Our survival tips for shopping
- Do your shopping a few days in advance instead of at the last minute and freeze meat and the like until then.
- Don’t pay close attention to the number of grams. If you cook exactly according to the recipe instructions, you may be in for a nasty surprise, such as the Christmas goose only consisting of skin and bones. And if there’s anything left over: Put it in a Tupperware container and give it to the relatives!
- If possible, leave the children at home or with relatives. The Christmas season means pure stress for many families; the last thing you need when shopping are whining children.
- Don’t just think about food, but also accessories such as tea lights or napkins.
The best shopping list apps for the holidays
Bring! shopping list
We’ve all been there: you send your partner out, but instead of the desired products, completely different ones end up in the shopping basket. If you don’t have time to go shopping yourself, the Bring! Shopping list is therefore ideal. Add your partner, family or friends to your shopping lists and let them do the shopping for you. You can also easily add and remove products by voice, and finding them is very easy thanks to the icons.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Bring! | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
The shopping list
The shopping list is suitable for those who prefer a simpler approach. Here you can concentrate on the essentials and therefore have a quick overview of all products. Thanks to the intelligent search and sorting function and the 17 colored categories, you can also quickly find your way around the supermarket. You can also conveniently add products here using voice input.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| The shopping list | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Stock, warehouse, shopping lists
The Stock, warehouse, shopping lists app may not be as attractive as the other two on this list, but it is great for keeping an eye on supplies or stock levels and their expiration dates. Unfortunately, the app is only available for Android.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Stock, warehouse, shopping lists | Not available for iOS | Download for Android |
The best organization apps: Less Christmas stress with these to-do apps
Good planning is key. Our to-do apps will help you with your Christmas planning. Whether as a shopping list or task overview: with the following apps, you are guaranteed not to forget anything. You can involve people in almost all of the apps. You can find out more about the individual apps and how best to use them in this article.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Todoist | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Google Tasks | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Microsoft To Do | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Habitica | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Any.do | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| TickTick | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Survival tip #3: Last-minute gift ideas for relatives
Okay, Christmas Eve is just around the corner and you haven’t got all your presents together yet? Or is the family celebration smaller because someone is vacationing? Or do you simply not have that much money to spare? Then perhaps the following tips are for you. They are all much more personal than a WhatsApp message and more lasting than a postcard.
Video message
Once again this year, many people will be away from their loved ones or family. With a recorded video message, you can delight grandparents and distant acquaintances alike.
The best apps for a video message or family photo
Sure, the standard apps on your smartphone will do, but if you like to use filters or stickers, or want to edit the recording before sending it, these apps are suitable for you.
Clips
If you own an iPhone, you should take a look at the free Clips app – after all, it comes from Apple itself. In just a few minutes, you can record a video with the app, which you can also decorate with effects, stickers, music, animated text and much more.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Clips | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Funimate video editing app
Funimate can also be used to create artistic and effective videos. Unlike Clips, however, this app is also available for Android users and focuses on extraordinary effects. If you want, you can also share your creations with the community. The app is free of charge, but if you want more effects, you have to take out a Pro or Premium subscription.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Funimate video editing app | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Magisto Video Editor
Magisto is another video editing app that is used by over 100 million users, according to the company. The app can be used not only to decorate videos, but also photos. Clips can be cut out, trimmed, merged and rearranged. The app is free of charge, but if you want to use the app for longer, you have to take out a Pro or Premium subscription.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Magisto – Video Editor & Music Slideshow Maker | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
GoPro Quik
If you are less interested in effects and simply want to edit your Christmas videos, the GoPro Quik app is the right choice. The app selects your best recordings and adds suitable music to them. The editing functions are very intuitive. The app is free, but if you want to save your videos in the cloud, you have to take out a subscription.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| GoProQuik | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Homemade cookies and jams
Homemade cookies always work! They are quick to bake and you have the ingredients in the house. If you have a little more time, you can also prepare homemade jams, sauces or other foods and give them as gifts. These things are definitely more personal than gift baskets. And with the recipe apps mentioned above, even those who absolutely hate cooking and baking can do it.
Donations
Donations as gifts are becoming increasingly popular. A donation can be much more personal than a gift voucher. For example, if you know that the recipient cares about the rainforest in South America, a donation to the WWF or Greenpeace could be just the right thing. If you are committed to helping children in poverty, a donation to organizations such as Arche, Kinder in Not or Co. will certainly be appreciated. The advantage: donations are tax-deductible.
Survival tip #4: Christmas Eve: How do I entertain my child?
Christmas Eve means stress for everyone. Christmas dinner needs your full attention, the table needs to be beautifully set and the family needs to be entertained. You can’t have nagging children on top of that.
Game apps or board games
Board games are also played at Christmas and are very popular with children. At the same time, many parents also give their children their smartphones to keep them occupied. Both variants have their advantages and disadvantages.
| Advantages of game apps | Disadvantages of game apps |
| + Child is busy with itself and does not interfere with the preparations+ Parents can concentrate fully on cooking+ Some game apps are educationally valuable and promote reading and math comprehension, for example | – Children can make expensive in-app purchases if unsupervised- There is a risk that children will open other apps that are not suitable for them- Children withdraw and do not participate in society |
| Advantages of board games | Disadvantages of board games |
| + Relatives are involved and kept busy+ Child learns patience, consideration and strategic skills+ Board games are popular gifts | – Require a lot of space- Cannot be finished quickly- Not everyone knows the rules of the game |
The best gaming apps for children
If you look around school playgrounds these days, games like PUBG or Fortnite will catch your eye. Many games that can be found in the app stores are either not suitable for children or have expensive in-app purchases that can be accidentally made by children. Here are our app recommendations for children.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is a dream for the eyes and ears and is based on MC Escher’s labyrinths. In the game, you have to guide a small character through a maze. You have to change the paths and stairs so skillfully that it can reach the exit. The app costs CHF 4.-, if you have an Apple Arcade subscription, you can play the first game and its successor for free.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Monument Valley | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Monument Valley+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
| Monument Valley 2 | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
| Monument Valley 2+ (Apple Arcade) | Download for iOS | Not available for Android |
Suzy Cube
Suzy Cube is a playful platform game that is very similar to Super Mario. Players have to defeat opponents, collect coins and stars in the 40 levels. The game costs CHF 4.-
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Suzy Cube | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Toca Life: School
Toca Life: School is not the only game from the developer studio. Toca Boba has already released a whole host of games of this type. Whether pets, plants or cities: children can create a character in these games and explore a virtual environment with it.
| App name | iOS | Android |
| Toca Life: School | Download for iOS | Download for Android |
Audio books
Audiobooks give your children the opportunity to withdraw. Especially when the evening gets longer, it is advisable to give your child a place to retreat to. Audio books are particularly suitable for this. Don’t forget the headphones!
Walks with children
Did you know that many attractions are also open on Christmas Eve? Use this to your advantage and send your partner or grandparents on a long walk with your children while you prepare Christmas dinner or wrap presents.
Our tip: Organize a photo tour through your city. Take photos with your child or let them find photo motifs of places of interest! This will train your child’s sense of direction and allow them to burn off energy before the presents are given.
Bake biscuits or make something homemade
Our last-minute idea is also an ideal opportunity to keep your child busy, but it requires your attention. Bake biscuits with your child or let them help you make something homemade. Then wrap everything up nicely and add Christmas stickers, and you have (another) last-minute gift!
More tips for the holidays
Feast of charity
Many people have lost loved ones, and many have also lost their jobs. It is therefore always worth pausing for a moment and remembering those who are not doing so well. So how about using the time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve to sort out and donate old toys with your children?
Cell phones for children? This is important to note
Is your child now the proud owner of their own smartphone? Then now is the time to set rules and take precautions. We’ve written an article for you to find out more: Which provider is the best? Is prepaid or subscription better? And what settings should I make before putting a smartphone in children’s hands? You can find out all about cell phones and subscriptions for children in this article.
Adhere to cell phone rules: Hands off the smartphone!
These rules apply to young and old: anyone who spends all their time playing around on their cell phone on Christmas Eve is being rude. And if everyone is glued to their cell phones, the sense of community is lost. As the host, set up cell phone rules that everyone has to follow – and anyone who doesn’t stick to them has to do the dishes! 😉 You can find out more about cell phone usage rules in this article.
New Year’s resolutions: More fitness, less stress
The Christmas holidays are over and Christmas dinner has found a new place – on your waistline. It is therefore more than understandable that many people use the turn of the year to work on themselves. In this article, you’ll find all the information you need. We’ll give you tips to make your resolutions a success and show you apps that will help you achieve your goals.
Apple Fitness
Fitness apps can help you shed the pounds and are usually cheaper than gyms. Apple users should take a look at the Apple Fitness workout service. You can read our detailed test report here.
Digital detox
Just like smoking or alcohol, social media is addictive. Realizing this is the first step towards recovery. But is a digital detox really worth it? We look into the trend and clear up some myths and provide valuable tips to ensure that your detox really is sustainable and not a short-term phenomenon.
Conclusion: Christmas shouldn’t be stressful, it should bring joy
As much as you look forward to Christmas, the food and the family, you’ll be just as happy when all the hustle and bustle is over, the relatives are out of the house and the pounds have dropped again. But cheer up: after Christmas, you have 359 days to recover! And with the tips and apps in this article, you’ll be well prepared for the holidays.
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