5 Thanksgiving Day apps that go great with turkey

5 Thanksgiving Day apps that go great with turkey

BY NICOLETTE EMMINO

Thanksgiving has arrived, and for many that means food and family gatherings which can sometimes be stressful. Good thing technology brings us new ways to combat some of the holiday’s hassles. Here are five apps to help improve your Thanksgiving holiday.

1. Thanksgiving Menu Maker app

If you aren’t too savvy with dinner preparations, this app can help. The Thanksgiving Menu Maker app lets you customize holiday menus with over 75 Thanksgiving recipes, a shopping list, and a scheduling function. Even if you’ve never hosted a holiday dinner before, technology can keep you in check. (iTunes, Free)

2. KitchenPad Timer app

There’s no need to overcook the turkey this year. Here’s a visual kitchen timer that can be used to manage all of your cook times for both your stovetop and oven. The app tells you what’s cooking on the stove or oven and can set up to nine timers at once. The app even includes a gas mark as an oven temperature setting option for those with a gas mark oven. (iTunes, $0.99)

3. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade app

The parade that started 86 years ago now has an app. The app offers a parade lineup, route map, participant tracker, digital copy of the Line of March, and a real-time Santa Tracker. Since it’s connected to New York City traffic cameras, you can watch live footage as well. This year’s version of the app even allows fans to turn themselves into a parade elf balloon. So even if you’re travelling during this year’s festivities or just want some more information about the 53-million-viewer event, you can download the app. (iTunes or Google Play, Free)

4. Thanksgiving Coloring Book app

Kids (and even adults) get restless during Thanksgiving travel and can even grow impatient during dinner preparations. Apple introduced the Thanksgiving Coloring Book app to help quell some of that tension. Your kids can color and finger paint, and without the mess. They can choose from over 60 colors, zoom in and out to reach smaller spaces, save or email their masterpieces, and only have to shake the device to clear and start fresh. (iTunes, Free for limited time)

5. T.G.I. Black Friday app

So, Thanksgiving may be over, but the holiday shopping has just begun. Now, there’s an app for your Android, iPhone, or iPad that allows you to search thousands of Black Friday deals for every major retail store. You can receive ads, search for deals, compare prices, shop online, and even create your personal shopping list to help manage the holiday shopping season. (iTunes or Google Play, Free)

So, go embrace the technology that can help alleviate the holiday tensions and enjoy. ■