Holiday Picks Archives | Cool Mom Tech

5 of the best Santa tracker apps to prove he’s real. Because he is. So there.

by Liz Gumbinner | Best Apps, Holiday Picks

This year is definitely the year of the Santa tracker app. After, all, even the biggest Santa fans among us know that while he is vaccinated (so don’t worry kids) we want to keep him safe — and him, us. So we’re avoiding the mall and turning to some...

For last-minute online holiday invitations, Paperless Post Flyers are the best!

by Liz Gumbinner | Best Apps, Holiday Picks

If you’re a fan of Paperless Post like we are, don’t miss out on Paperless Flyers as a genius way to send out all your last-minute holiday invitations, school fundraisers, or to invite out-of-town family to the kids’ end-of-year-recitals over Zoom....

The best new video games for families to let everyone in on the fun. You too, parents! | Holiday Gift Guide

by Caroline Siegrist | Games + Gaming, Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

Who else is in the market for cool new video games for your families? Video games tend to get a bad rap, but I’ve found that picking the right game can actually foster connection and fun. So if you have an avid gamer in your family and are looking for a way to...

20 brilliant tech stocking stuffers 2021: Creative ideas that aren’t “AAA batteries” | Tech Holiday Gifts

by Christina Refford | Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

We’ve had the best time looking for wonderful tech stocking stuffers that go beyond the usual. And by usual, I mean batteries. Whether you’re just kicking off your holiday shopping by going through our gift guides or almost wrapping things up after a...

12 of the hottest high-tech beauty gifts for for everyone on your list…including yourself.

by Caroline Siegrist | Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts

High-tech beauty gifts are all anyone seems to talking about in my Facebook groups these days. At least when it comes to holiday gift ideas. And who can blame us? We’ve come a long way from the days when I bobbie-pinned my hair before bed to have curls the next...

The best Black Friday tips to save you money online: Read this before you buy a thing!

by Liz Gumbinner | Holiday Picks, Tips and Tricks

For over a decade now (whoa) we’ve been sharing the best Black Friday tips to help you find the best deals with the least hassle. Now that Black Friday has turned into “Black Friday through Cyber Monday,” which turned into an entire month of Black...

The new snow globe Pop Sockets are a must-have situation this holiday

by Caroline Siegrist | Gear + Hardware, Holiday Picks, Tech Toys

How magical are these snow globe Pop Sockets that I just discovered for the holidays? Yes, they perform the exact same function as regular Pop Socket grips in preventing dropped phones during selfies, but also, THEY’RE SNOW GLOBES. In case I didn’t make...

5 must-have apps for holiday planning. Dinner is back!

by Caroline Siegrist | Best Apps, Holiday Picks

This holiday season, I’ve been researching apps for holiday planning as one of many ways to make big holiday meals easier. Whether you enjoyed last year’s COVID-mandated reprieve from big get-togethers, or you’re just raring to baste another...

6 + ways kids can celebrate a virtual Valentine’s Day safely using tech

by Christina Refford | Holiday Picks, Kids

Valentine’s Day is the next holiday, after Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, that will be affected by our new socially distant lifestyle. No sprinkle-laden, heart-shaped cookies in class. No gaudily decorated shoeboxes sent to school. No handing...

8 of the best STEM and geeky subscription boxes for all your favorite people

by Christina Refford | Holiday Picks

I’ve got some good news and some bad news about subscription box gifts this holiday: The good news is that there are tons of subscription boxes out there that you can order in time to gift for Christmas for just about anyone left on your list. The bad news is...

Download Apple’s free Make Your Holiday booklet and give your kids 20+ fun, creative projects to keep them busy all month.

by Liz Gumbinner | DIY, Holiday Picks, Kids

I am not exaggerating when I say that I cried after watching a presentation about Apple’s new, totally free, Make Your Holiday at-home family program. Our kids have been through so much, and whenever I think of all the companies that have stepped up to offer...

11 awesome Mandalorian gifts for Star Wars fans, young and old | Holiday Tech Gifts

by Caroline Siegrist | Holiday Picks, Holiday Tech Gifts, Tech Toys

Of course we had to share these incredible Mandlorian gifts now that season 3 has been announced. I know I’m not the only one with kids who are still obsessed! In fact, our devotion may have gone beyond low key a while ago. So I’ve put together some fun...

Hi! We’re Kristen + Liz

Kristen Chase + Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Picks

We started Cool Mom Tech in 2010 to help make our increasingly digital lives easier, more organized, more meaningful, and more fun, however old your kids may be.

We love that it's grown to become the go-to source for millions of parents who want commonsense info about tech delivered with a smile.

We even have the privilege of sharing our tips + tricks with The TODAY Show, CNN, HLN, GMA, Nightline, newspapers and magazines around the country, and our favorite -- regular parents who stop us at PTA meetings and ask us how old kids need to be to get a smartphone, and whether they really need to panic about Snapchat.

(Answer: It's complicated.)

We're so glad you're here! And we hope we can help you too.