Thanksgiving is usually a time dedicated to eating too much, playing a little too hard at the family tag football game and assuring your aunts that you are, in fact, this big. Here are five LA-based tech companies helping you make Thanksgiving run a little smoother, whether it's avoiding the political conversation or making sure the party doesn't run out of alcohol.
Perfect for: When your grandfather shows you a photo of his epic Navy beard and you feel the need to shave. Now.
If you're participating in No Shave November or Movember, you're likely questioning how good your facial hair looks right now and whether you should get rid of it before seeing family members whose most recent memories of you are junior high school graduation. Should you decide to take the plunge and go with the "sophomore in high school" look this Thanksgiving, Dollar Shave Club has you covered. The Venice-based startup offers shaving supplies for a far more reasonable price than anything you would find at your local department store.
Perfect for: Mentally preparing yourself for the looming chaos.
It's been a trying few months, and expecting any respite from the insanity of it all this Thanksgiving is pretty much a modern day definition of "unreasonable." Headspace can help you get in the right state of mind for the big day, or help your soul recover from all the food, beverages and disagreements from the day before. The meditation app can help you take a step back to think about the important things in life, like when rent is due and where the next best LA tech happy hour is.
Perfect for: Distracting yourself while your cousin discusses her third pregnancy with everyone.
As guests begin to arrive, avoid the small talk with Monarc Gaming Labs' suite of casino games, right on your smart device. Learn how to play Baccarat, or perhaps attempt to hone your skills at Texas Hold 'Em, until your uncle wants to know why you won't put down your "iPad" and go ask your cousins how high school is going.
Perfect for: When your lodging has provided a cot and a rolled up towel for a pillow.
Perhaps the sheer chaos of the Thanksgiving discussion has you in need of a venue change, or maybe you took it easy and hit the road early and need a place to crash. If you're in need of last minute accommodations, Overnight has you covered. The app allows users to find a cheap, local place to stay with hardly any notice, meaning you can escape any potential vacation slideshows your grandparents need to show you.
Perfect for: When everyone is congratulating cousin Jeremy on his new Tesla and you realize how much debt you have.
Thanksgiving is nothing if it's not the perfect opportunity to gloat about any myriad of things (which is what makes it awesome and intolerable at the same time). For some of us, simply being involved in the LA tech community is awesome enough, but it's totally normal to feel a little underaccomplished once a particularly annoying cousin starts bragging about his new ride. Payoff is a company that develops a number of services aimed at helping users achieve financial wellness
Perfect for: Your post-Thanksgiving shame.
Maybe you want to get yourself in the right state of mind before the festivities begin, or maybe you're too emotionally hungover and/or emotionally damaged to drive back to the city, but you are an adult and you can order a massage when please. Headquartered in Hollywood, Soothe is an on-demand massage service, connecting those in need of a relaxing rub with expert masseurs and masseuses.
Perfect for: Distracting yourself from it all.
Dinner is done, but Aunt Susan polished off the last of the white zinfandel about a half hour ago, and Smirnoff Ice will not cut it. Enter Saucey, a game-changing application for drinkers in a pinch. Find a safe place to hide from your grandmother's tipsy friends and wait for freedom (in the form of bottom shelf gin) to come save you from potentially the most awkward conversations of the year.
Perfect for: Planning a getaway (to another country).
It's been a long few months, and if you're in need of a vacation as much as I am, you should probably know about Wherefor. The problem with vacations is that they're expensive, but for the sake of mental health, getting away sometimes is the right move to make. Wherefor lets users indicate how much they're comfortable spending on a trip, and helps them plan vacations based on a budget.
Images via Facebook and Shutterstock
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