No wonder 2 in 5 people feel their stress creeping up around the holidays. It’s the season of picking out gifts, battling tangled lights, and wrapping dozens of presents only to watch the dog chew them up. (Also, the cat just tore down those untangled lights.)
But, as with every other corner of life, AI has presented some new ways to help us save some time. So, in the spirit of reclaiming Christmas cheer, here are some tools and services on our radar.
Let a bot make the list and check it twice
Got a family member who’s incredibly difficult to shop for? Well, Gift Genie and DreamGift will ask you a series of questions about the person — what hobbies do they love, or what never fails to make them laugh? From there, they’ll present you with a list of personalized present recommendations.
Be a Scrooge at the store
Retailers use AI-powered algorithms to adjust prices in real time based on factors such as demand, location, and availability. The smart data systems can even predict future hiccups, such as supply-chain issues or weather disruptions. Shoppers can get in on the fun by using browser extensions from Honey, Rakuten, and Savings.com to automatically find the best discounts and cash-back deals.
Deck the halls with boughs of holl-A.I.
Imagine syncing your holiday lights to “Jingle Bell Rock.” That’s now possible with systems like Twinkly that analyze music rhythms to create real-time light shows.
If you really want to level up your holiday decorating, AI-powered design app Planner 5D can visually locate the best spots for every wreath and garland.
Know what to roast on an open fire
Got an old family photo of Christmas Eve dinner and want to recreate the meal? Did you see a dish in a magazine that you just have to show off at your next holiday party? SideChef’s new RecipeGen AI program can generate a recipe and shopping list from a simple picture.