(Credit: Elenabs/iStock/Getty Images)
If you're anything like us, the status of your holiday gift list is…complicated. It exists on Post-its and paper scraps, as entries in your phone's Notes app, and in bookmarks in your browser. That can make holiday shopping a confusing task and inevitably lead to forgotten items.
Before that happens, put yourself first on your list and download an app that can help. Once you make your list of presents, you won't have to check it twice, because a good list app handles most of the hard work, syncing across platforms, figuring out which stores have the items you're looking for, and tracking details little details like the clothing sizes of your gift recipients.
A gift list app is probably one of the least expensive purchases you'll make this season, as most are free or cost less than a dollar. They'll certainly save you from holiday blues and could help keep your holiday budget from going into the red.
A few of these apps are specifically Christmas-themed in name and look, but they function well for any holiday at any time of the year. Also, many of them are named "Christmas List," so be like Santa and check twice before downloading. No matter which app you choose, check out PCMag's full holiday gift guide to find presents to add to your list.
Christmas Gift List
Buying and budgeting are made easy with Christmas Gift List (Android) this year—and next—since it archives your list to remind you of the coveted items of your favorite people. The app is also password-protected to keep what's wrapped up under wraps. Not only does it let you budget, but it also handles multiple currencies and languages. If you're sharing lists, Christmas Gift List lets you do so via email and through many other apps, and you can back up to Google Drive.
The Christmas Gift List
If you thrive on budgeting and analytics, you'll want to take a look at The Christmas Gift List (iOS). You can get a look at your budget and break it down by person; keep track of the status of your gifts (ideas, need to make, need to buy, made, bought, shipping, received, wrapped, sent, and presented); and sort lists multiple ways. The Christmas Gift List also lets you protect your lists with a password, archive, sync across iOS devices, and export a list as a PDF.
Christmas Gift List Tracker
There's a countdown to Christmas at the top of Christmas Gift List Tracker (iOS)—not that you necessarily need one if your gift-giving is so organized that you use an app. What you can probably use, though, is the bar chart with your budget that's right underneath. It tallies up all your purchases from your various gift lists and lets you know how much you have left. The app also lets you view lists from previous years to avoid gifting mistakes, collaborate on lists, and set a password so no one can snoop.
The Christmas List
Divvy up the dough you have to spend by whom you're spending it on with The Christmas List (iOS). You can also arrange your list by store, so you don't wind up making multiple trips in person or filling online shopping carts (and paying shipping fees) more than once. If you're sharing gift-giving duty, you can send your lists. The countdown feature lets you know how many shopping days you have left this season.
Christmas Planner Pro
Christmas Planner Pro (iOS) has your gift lists on lock with password protection and Dropbox backup. You can set and track your budget, sort gift lists in several ways, and keep track of the status of all your presents.
Elfster: The Secret Santa App
Giftful
Giftful (iOS) is great for Secret (and not-so-secret) Santas, as it lets you write up your wishlists and share them. It's great for assigned gift exchanges or for tracking the difficult-to-buy-for folks on your list.
GiftList
If you're overwhelmed by the number of your holiday lists and how many people are involved, try GiftList (Android, iOS). You can share gift lists and wishlists with friends and even chat inside the app to coordinate. GiftList lets you scan from shelves or save items from browsers directly to your lists.
Giftster
Giftster (iOS, Android) is most useful when you're organizing lists for groups of people—say, families, friends, or coworkers. You can write your own lists for those you're buying for, or you can get them to join Giftster so you can see what they want and buy it with one click. There's also a Secret Santa feature that makes gift exchanges easy.
For more ideas, check out PCMag's One Stop Gift Shop, and other carefully curated gift guides to zero in on the perfect present for everyone on your list.
