Smartphone Apps of the Month- December

December is the homestretch to the holiday season, which means there’s a lot to remember—especially if you’re traveling out of town for the festivities. With all of those travel accessories and itineraries to remember, December’s apps help take the stress out of packing and flight tracking so you can focus on what really matters this time of year: spending time with loved ones.

PackPoint: Available on Android and iPhone

I love to travel, but packing can be stressful. Remembering which items, and how many of each, to bring along can be overwhelming. Plus, you have to consider the weather of your destination and any outdoor activities you plan on doing while you’re there. And no matter what, it seems like you always forget something (hopefully not someone’s gift!) That’s why I use PackPoint to prepare for all my trips.

PackPoint is a packing list app that takes the guesswork out of what to pack for a trip. The app helps users determine which items you need to put in your suitcase based on the length of travel, the weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip. Using this information, PackPoint creates a customized list of clothing, toiletries, gadgets, and other items to ensure you have the right clothes for the weather and never forget any important travel accessories again.

The app’s clean, simple design makes it easy to scroll through your list quickly and check off items while you pack. A quick swipe removes items that don’t apply or you can easily add new ones to further personalize your list. Once you have the perfect packing list, you can save it for use on a future trip or share it with others via email, text message, Facebook, or Twitter.

If you’re looking for a way to save time and stress while packing for your holiday trip, I recommend downloading PackPoint.

FlightAware: Available on Android and iPhone

Traveling during the holidays can be hectic. With all of the crowds and flight delays, keeping track of your flight status—let alone your boarding pass, carry-on baggage, and family—can be challenging. Wouldn’t it be great if you could track your flight in real time and receive important alerts on your smartphone? Thanks to the FlightAware app, you can.

FlightAware is an easy-to-use app that lets users track the status of any commercial flight worldwide. It also tracks and notifies you if your flight has been delayed, cancelled, or moved to another gate. Arriving in an unfamiliar airport? No problem! With FlightAware, you can look up airport terminals, gates, and baggage claim carousels, and even view weather conditions. It’s like having air traffic control in the palm of your hand!

I even use FlightAware when picking somebody up at the airport. The app helps me track the status of the flight and view its estimated arrival time, so I know exactly when I need to leave my house to meet the traveler outside baggage claim. No more sitting in my car wondering if the flight is delayed or waiting to receive a call or text message to confirm the flight has landed. How great is that!?

Download FlightAware and conveniently stay up to date with everyone’s holiday flight details. Bon Voyage and Happy Holidays!