By Britta O’Boyle | Pocket-lint –
Some enjoy the hustle and bustle of the high street as Christmas approaches, others find it stressful, irritating and soul destroying.
If you fall into the latter camp and would rather sit in the comfort of your home watching the X-Factor, getting organised and finding the perfect present from your sofa, here are some apps that can make that dream come true.
But a word of warning – keep an eye on those delivery deadlines. The smug sensation of dodging the crowds will fast evaporate if your mum’s present is still at a Royal Mail sorting office come the 25th…
uShop: UK – Free – Android
There are hundreds of shops out there, all with thousands of potential purchases, visiting each one whether on the web or in person would be a mighty task.
uShop:UK pulls together some of the UK’s biggest high street chains, providing access to their latest products and online checkouts through their websites so everything is in one convenient place.
Marks & Spencer, ASOS, Debenhams, John Lewis, Amazon, Currys, Argos, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are all included, along with Harrods, eBay, My Wardrobe and more.
HotUKDeals – Free – Android & iOS
The official HotUKDeals.com app will bring you access to deals, voucher codes, freebies and savings so you “never pay retail again”.
You can filter by retailer if you have a specific shop in mind or search the database to find shared voucher codes that members have uploaded from stores including Asda, Argos, Zavvi and Tesco.
If you join the HUKD community, you will also be able to submit deals or tips from anywhere just like others have done, sharing discounts and tips that are not always advertised, so keep your eyes peeled for those bargains others have posted.
Groupon – Free – Android & iOS
Groupon is another deal finder helping you save those pennies and it is one well worth having enabling you to check for deals regularly.
It delivers some great savings on the latest fashions, restaurants and travel so whether your looking for some Swarovski elements earrings or a weekend in Liverpool to put under the tree, you’re likely to find something that tickles your fancy.
Each deal is available to use straight away and you can share the deals with your friends and family in case you want to give someone a subtle hint.
Gift It – Free – iOS
Gift It is a Christmas shopping list and countdown app so it will not only help you stay organised, but you will also be fully aware of how long you have left until the big day.
Featuring a childlike design that is easy to use for all the family, the Gift It app allows you to create lists, set a budget and share lists via email or SMS. You can enter an amount next to each gift and the total will appear at the bottom so you know how much you’ve spent.
It will also give you a “Budget Status” and “Ready for Santa” status, the latter of which currently says “Keep Shopping” for us. Sigh.
Amazon Mobile – Free – Android & iOS
The Amazon app may be an obvious choice to help make shopping from your sofa easier, but it was one we didn’t feel could be missed off the list.
It allows you to do numerous things including search and purchase by department, compare prices, find deals and read reviews. You can also scan a barcode for instant details on pricing and availability if you have strayed from your armchair.
In addition, if you are an Amazon customer, you will also find full access to your basket, wish lists, order history, plus payment and delivery options in case you have been shopping on another device.
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