Christmas apps to get you through the season

SMALL PRINT:'TIS THE SEASON to be avoiding Christmas preparations by playing with your phone, but don't let that distraction bother your festive spirit. In no particular order, here are our 10 Great Christmas Apps for 2011.

XMAS ORGANISER (Android)

This app catalogues the people you’re buying gifts for, as well as their cost and has a ‘countdown to Christmas day’ to help spur you into action. The Android Christmas Gift Planner is also a decent one to try.

CHRISTMAS FM (iPhone)

The Irish seasonal radio station blasts out Christmas tunes all season long. If you’re not near a radio, grab the app for your phone.

SANTA TRACKER CHRISTMAS (Android)

There is a bunch of Santa-tracking apps, but this one also comes with sightings of Santa, Santa’s blog, and a letter-sending facility.

CHRISTMAS!! (iPhone)

This app is a catch-all Christmasfest with a countdown, advent calendar, Christmas-themed phone wallpapers, songs and Christmas jokes.

MICHAEL BUBLÉ CHRISTMAS APP (iPhone)

Yes that’s right. This is for all the Bublé fans out there and comes with an interactive snowglobe, song previews from his Christmas album and a festive personal message from the man himself – Bublé not Santa that is.

RING SANTA (iPhone)

This handy app allows your kids to call Santa, and let them leave a message for him regarding what they want for Christmas, which you can then listen back to, and store.

FLYING PENGUIN (iPhone/Android)

Not strictly Christmas-related, but it’s one of the most addictive wintry games around.

3D ULTIMATE SNOWGLOBE! (iPhone)

A pretty basic snowglobe app (and there are many) but this one plays Let It Snowin the background as you shake the "snow" over a winter cabin, so it wins.

CHRISTMAS CAROL MUSIC AND LYRICS (iPhone)

Never get caught out forgetting Christmas-carol lyrics again.

EPICURIOUS (Android/iPhone)

Probably the best cooking app around, with plenty of Christmas treats from cookies to mulled wine and more.