Fast Mall– I find that the older I get the more difficult malls seem to be to navigate. Is this just me? There are so many wings and levels and sections and it’s rawther overwhelming, not to mention the crowds. This app is for anyone who wants to get in and get out, and avoid being the obvious mall non-native who’s frozen in place, studying one of those printed mall maps. Instead, you can stand frozen in place studying your iPhone screen, which is much, much better.

RetailMeNot– This is the kind of app I would (and did) assume was totally gimmicky and obnoxious, based on the named alone (sorry!). I downloaded it quite a while ago though, (who can remember why) and I must admit that it is actually quite useful. I haven’t used it for in-store shopping, but occasionally I remember to use it when ordering online and whenever I do I think, “This is great!” Type in the name of the store you’re ordering from and the app will give you a whole list of coupon codes to enter at checkout. An easy way to save a few dolla dolla bills y’all.

Slice– Slice seems to be the virtual package tracking wunderkind (who knows how old it is; I just felt like using that word). Connect it to your email account and it will store all of your e-receipts, track your packages, and even provide you with future notifications about your item, like price adjustments. Because everyone enjoys finding out that the item they paid full price for is now 70% off, which is the discount equivalent of retailers practically begging shoppers to take the damn thing off their hands.

Returnguru– There are many apps that allow you to capture and store both digital and paper receipts. The guru, however, goes one step further: it keeps track of your return window and provides you with alerts when you’re nearing the deadline for refunds. Based on the extent to which people seem to struggle with making returns, that is reason enough to press download.

FedEx mobile– I realized I needed this app in my life a couple of nights ago: I was just a bit eager to receive a package I was expecting, see. FedEx.com informed me that the item was “out for delivery” when I checked the page around late afternoon. Consequently, I spent the next good chunk of hours compulsively checking at the front and back doors, and rushing to the window like some desperate dummy every time any noise of any kind resembling a truck, a person holding a box, or a small object being placed on the ground was heard. Cut to 10:00pm, when I logged back onto my computer, plugged in my tracking number, and discovered the damn thing had been sitting in my mailbox since a little past noon. Download. 

Holiday Recipes & Party Planning Guide, by Food52– This app isn’t free, but users claim it’s well worth the $3.99 because of its clear instructions and beautiful design. Created by New York Times food writers and Food52 co-founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, the app will guide you through the supermarket, all the way to the holiday table. It includes video tutorials, step by step slideshows, recipes, and party planning.

Tripit– A organizational app for travel plans, Tripit is the ultimate itinerary manager. It keeps track of all your travel plans, including flights, accommodations, and restaurants, gives you daily weather forecasts and maps and directions for each destination, syncs with your calendar, and allows you to share your plans with others.

Matchbook– I really like the idea behind this app, since I’m always on the hunt for new restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods to check out. Matchbook helps you keep track of all those places as well as the ones you’ve been to and loved, and attach notes and pictures. I imagine this might come in handy if you’re having guests in town; record places to tote visitors around to as they occur to you, and add why you think they might be good choices, “good restaurant to take Annie to since she’s the world’s most obnoxious eater,” “totally Live Simply boutique, Annie would eat that sh$# up.” Etc.

The Salvation Army Family Store App– I can’t think why this should qualify particularly as a “holiday app” except that I wanted to tell you all about it, and here I am writing about apps, so. The Salvation Army app makes it impossibly easy to schedule donation pick-ups–which means there’s really no excuse–find a drop-off center, and keep track of all your donations. Boom.

What apps have been rocking your world this season?