Gift giving may look at a little different this year, but these amazing apps are social distancing APProved and sure to bring a bring a smile to everyone on your list! Whether you’re buying for the plugged-in activist, major foodie, or person who just wants to chill this winter, we’ve got you covered!
Few things in life are more exciting than getting to meet THE Santa Claus at your local shopping center but imagine having a direct line to the man himself?! This year give the gift of magic with Speak to Santa, the app where you can text, call, video chat with Santa, and so much more! Users can even track Santa in the sky and video chat with him from the sleigh on Christmas Eve! Give this gift a liiiiiiiittle early this year to the tech-savvy tots in your life for maximum enjoyment.
Price: $6.99, with in-app purchases
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet
Know anyone who needs a little (simulated) drama in their life? High School Story is a game that places users in a high school environment to build their dream school experience, complete with dates, parties, extracurricular activities, and endless adventures. Users can even add their IRL (in real life) friends for group play. We recommend giving this gift with a starter pack, available through in-app purchases!
Price: Free, with in-app purchase
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet
The Sims has been around for decades, but they’re now on mobile and the characters are more diverse and inclusive than ever! This app makes the foolproof gift for the nostalgic millennial who’s over their apartment and wants to pretend to be somewhere else, even if its only virtual.
Price: Free, with in-app purchase
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet
Featured by Apple in “Our Favorite Apple Watch Apps” collection, Coloring Watch is a self-care app designed to soothe and entertain even the most spun-up Scrooges on your list. Users can choose from tons of images and can even set their creations as watch backgrounds when they’re done creating. Coloring Watch also features the Apple Health integration so users can track their heart rate before and after each coloring session.
Price: $2.99
Compatibility: Apple Watch
Winner of Apple’s 2018 App of the Year, Procreate Pocket has been deemed “powerful enough for creative professionals,” yet “simple enough for everyone,” and is the perfect app for the creative person in your life. The app allows users to paint, draw, and sketch by using 3D Touch, giving users the ability to switch between canvas layers, tools, and effects.
Price: $4.99
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, iTouch
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the sentiment rings especially true when it comes to the Chef’s Kiss sticker pack. This widget gives users an excellent way to express extreme approval, or disapproval with the “chef’s diss” option, via iMessage. It’s the perfect virtual stocking stuffer for anyone on your list!
Price: $0.99
Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, iTouch
Whether you’re gifting to a cooking amateur or Barefoot Contessa herself, Yummly is the ideal kitchen sidekick! From grocery list management and a meal prep management tool to recipe recommendations, this app is guaranteed to make anyone feel like a pro in the kitchen. We recommend giving with a monthly or annual subscription.
Price: $0.99, with in-app purchases
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet
SWEAT isn’t your standard fitness app, it includes a built-in community of women who help motivate and activate each other, as well as participate in global fitness events (virtually, of course). This gift, which is great for any lady on your list, would be best accompanied alongside a monthly or annual subscription through in-app purchases.
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet, and Apple TV
I Am Black Business is the perfect thoughtful app to give to the conscious spender on your list. Users get access to the world’s most comprehensive library of Black-owned businesses to support. The app even gives users a location-based service to help connect customers to Black businesses nearby. We recommend giving this gift with a gift certificate to your giftee’s favorite Black-owned business!
Price: Free
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet
The Kiva app is the ideal way to give and give back for the movers and shakers on your list. Kiva works by crowdfunding loans and unlocking capital for the underserved, improving the quality and cost of financial services, and addressing the underlying barriers to financial access around the world. We recommend giving this gift with a Kiva gift card!
Price: Free, with in-app purchases
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet, desktop website
Featured as Best of 2018 by the App Store and 2019 Webby Award Winner for Best Lifestyle App, Shine is an inclusive self-care app with meditations, positive affirmations, a gratitude journal feature, and a diverse community. We recommend giving the gift of self-care to the mindful person in your life accompanied by a monthly or annual subscription through in-app purchases.
Price: Free, in-app purchases available
Compatibility: Smartphone, tablet