FlightAware flight tracker

It's a busy travel season; knowing exactly when you, or incoming guests, are set to land can be handy. FlightAware is one of the best websites for keeping tabs on the important air travelers in your life. Although its apps aren't quite as good as the site, they let you look up flights by route, flight number or tail number. The apps lack some useful features, such as the ability to check in on the weather around the country — although you can see a weather overlay on your map, if you have the patience to let it load. Still, if all you're looking for is a quick, easy way to look up flight information, FlightAware's Flight Tracker is worth a download. Free, for iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry 10 and Symbian devices.

Elf yourself

Sometimes you download apps to get things done or to streamline a complicated process. But we can't be all work, all the time — especially at this time of year. So it's no surprise that this goofy little app by Office Max, which is really the tech equivalent of empty calories, is heating up the charts. Simply put, this app lets users put their faces on the bodies of elves doing silly dances, some of which cost money to access. From the app, you can send your jigs to share with friends and family members, but that's it. In the end, it's really good for a giggle. Then again, isn't that enough sometimes? Free, for iOS devices.

HAYLEY TSUKAYAMA,

Washington Post