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Christmas shopping made easy with Nokia Lumia

In just two short weeks, many people around the world will be celebrating one of the most exciting times of the year – Christmas. For those of you that haven’t even started your Christmas shopping yet (that includes me) and don’t know where to start (again, me), we’ve gathered up a small handful of apps that might make this time easier for you.

As we all know, Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s making a list – which he’s checking twice. At times like this, that’s without doubt the best place to start.

Let’s start by creating a checklist.

Fortunately, there’s an app built right into your Nokia Lumia that’s perfect for the job and it’s called Office OneNote. You’ll find it within the Office Hub.

OneNote wirting list

OneNote checking list

Think about who you need to buy for and write their names down in OneNote. Then, beneath each name, write the gifts you plan to purchase for them. Once you’ve done that, highlight the item and press the to do icon at the bottom – the one that looks like a box with a tick inside of it. Repeat this with all the items and you’ll have a fully workable checklist.

Press the pin icon at the bottom to have this sent to your Start Screen for easy access as you’ll probably refer to this a lot over the next couple of weeks.

Next up, a shopping app.

Amazon Mobile gives you access to one of the largest online retailers in the world. With this app installed you can browse products just like you would on a PC, but with a great extra feature.

Amazon product welcome screen

Amazon product overview

When you’re out and about in the shops looking for a bargain, you’ll want to make sure you’re receiving the best deal possible. Loading the barcode scanner from within the app (which can be pinned directly to your Start screen for quicker access) lets you compare prices of the product you’ve seen in store with those online at Amazon. You can also read reviews of that product to see if you’re making a wise purchase, and check availability at Amazon, too.

Fear not, Amazon Mobile purchases are routed through secure servers, just as they are on the Web.

It’s probably time to head back to that OneNote checklist you made earlier, and tick off that jumper you’ve just purchased for uncle Tony. It only takes a few seconds to do that.

eBay is another great online site for picking up a bargain. While this isn’t a conventional online retailer – it’s an auction site – it does offer a never-ending list of items, sold by people just like you.

eBay watching

eBay item overview

Because eBay users often sell old items they’ve once owned, it means that the cost of those items is considerably cheaper than those you’ll find in the shops. It also means that if you’re looking for something that’s not produced anymore, there’s a chance you’ll find somebody on eBay selling it.

It’s often a great place for people to re-sell gifts they’ve received, too. Like those dodgy slippers you’ll receive this year from granny. Sssh, don’t tell her, though. Always accept your gifts with a smile.

You can do all this without having to get up off the couch, and instead right on your Nokia Lumia.

One thing’s for sure, if you order something online, it’ll need to be delivered – that’s one of the benefits of Internet shopping. However, hoping it turns up on time can be a tedious task.

Whenever you order something online, you’ll receive a tracking number so that you can, well, track your order. Package Tracker supports over 60 carriers and enables you to follow the progress of your delivery, without having to visit the numerous websites you’ve purchased from.

Package tracker details

Package tracker map

Whenever your package reaches a new milestone, such as arrived at terminal, or delivered, you’ll automatically receive a notification telling you about it.

Bing Maps is used to show you the location of the package, so you’ll always know where it is in the world.

One way to cut the costs of gift, or food purchasing this season is to use vouchers. Many places accept vouchers, offering 2 for 1 deals or money off purchases. Vouchercloud delivers vouchers to your phone – in the UK – in a number of ways.

Vouchercloud offers

Vouchercloud discount

If you’re looking for something specific, you can use the search function to find a good deal. Alternatively, and this is probably the most useful when you’re in the shops looking for a deal, is the Near Me function.

Using the GPS in your phone, Vouchercloud will show the best deals around you.

Most deals will probably be 2 for 1 deals at local pizza joints. However, look a little closer and you’ll see money off vouchers for hardware stores, clothing stores and others.

But don’t waste those pizza vouchers – treat yourself after a busy day shopping.

There we have it, some ways to make shopping at Christmas a little easier by using your Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia Lumia 710, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 900, Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820.

Do you have any tips for Christmas shopping that we didn’t think of? Let us know, in the comments below.

Image credit: FutUndBeidl