Here Are 5 Parent-Approved Tech Items for Holiday Survival

It’s that time of year again when the air turns crisp, cozy sweaters emerge from closets, and calendars quickly fill with school events, holiday parties, and family gatherings. While the holiday season brings plenty of joy and excitement, it can also be overwhelming, especially for parents juggling never-ending to-do lists. Between wrapping gifts, managing traditions, and keeping up with everyday responsibilities, stress can easily overshadow the magic of the season. To discover how parents stay grounded amid the chaos, we spoke with several moms and dads who shared their go-to items and strategies for maintaining sanity while creating magical moments for their children.

TANYA: INSTANT POT COOKER

“I’ll never cook a holiday dinner without my Instant Pot again,” dishes Tanya, a mother of two who hosts a big Thanksgiving feast each year. This multipurpose cooker saves her time when roasting large cuts of meat, while also handling sautéing, air frying, and slow cooking. “I’m also done cooking the entire meal by myself,” Tanya reveals. “I’ll do the big stuff: turkey breast, dressing, macaroni, yams…but everything else? My family has to step up and contribute. That includes dessert!” She admits that years of cooking elaborate, multi-course meals for large crowds left her feeling burned out. “Now, I’m no longer running myself ragged for a week leading up to Thanksgiving. I’m able to do my shopping, prep and cooking in just a couple of days, and I can actually enjoy myself when it’s time to have dinner.”

DENNIS: WIRELESS CHARGING PORT

Dennis, a father of one who typically travels with his family during holidays, says one of his biggest challenges was keeping up with chargers for his many devices. “I have to stay connected for work at all times. If my phone’s not on me, my Apple Watch has to be,” he says. Since he purchased this wireless charging port, he’s been able to keep all his devices charged and organized at bedtime. “I wish I had gotten one for my wife sooner,” Dennis admits. “She’s always trying to use mine! I’m definitely getting her one before we travel this year.” Though he needs to stay online for work, he’s committed to being present with his family. “I’m not going to spend our entire trip reading and responding to emails. I will do the vital work and that’s it.”

SHANIKA: ROBOT VACUUM

Keeping the house clean with kids is challenging enough, and that can become an even bigger headache when the family comes to celebrate. “I used to spend hours and hours getting my house ready for the holidays,” says Shanika, a mother of two teens. “It still takes me a while, but my robot mop and vacuum has saved me a tremendous amount of time. Plus, I don’t have to stop what I’m doing to clean up when one of our visitors—or kids—makes a mess.” She says her 13- and 15-year-olds will also do their part to prepare their home for guests. “Mom can’t do it all alone,” laughs Shanika, “I need my team!”

AMBER: BABY MONITOR

Parents of new babies must juggle their little ones’ needs while keeping spirits bright for older children and holiday guests. Amber, mom to a 6-month-old and a three-year-old, says this baby monitor has given her the confidence to move around the house while her infant sleeps. “With my oldest, I was always so scared of something happening while she was out of my sight,” she says, “But now, I always have eyes on my baby and I can get things done while knowing that she’s resting safely.” Amber also plans to let loved ones help with her children during the holidays: “It’s so tempting to try and be Super Mom and watch them every second, but my family wants to experience them too, and my husband and I could use the break!”

AYANNA: IMMERSION BLENDER

“I grew up watching my mom beat everything by hand: every pie, every cake, everything!” says Ayanna, mom of one. “I’m not willing to work that hard!” She says this immersion blender allows her to make silky smooth batters, sauces and soups without tremendous effort. “It’s easy enough to use that my 8-year-old can help me without making a big mess,” she adds. Ayanna’s sweet potato pies are in high demand during the holidays, and she’s found that making her filling in advance prevents overwhelm when requests come in. “I start making filling in October. I do enough for about eight pies. When it’s time to bake, I take the filling out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.”