We’ve done the best Facebook games, but how about applications that bring some practicality to life’s needs? Not all of us have time for tomfoolery! (But clearly I do because I write words like tomfoolery.)

Here are some of the more helpful Facebook apps out there:

Birthday Cards —It’s not as e-cheesy as it sounds! This app lets you pre-make custom cards to be sent on a special day, and while Facebook lets you know when birthdays are a day or two away, that’s often not enough to squeak out more than a soulless “Happy birthday!” wall post. And who’s to say you’ll be online every day to keep track of these things? Birthday Cards produces a full-blown calendar of your friends’ birthdays so you truly get some time to prepare something special… or just not forget.

Facebook for iPhone — This one’s pretty self-explanatory, but if you’ve got an iPhone and you’re missing this app, get on it!

Causes — Launched in 2007, Causes has become one of Facebook’s most used apps with more than 24 million monthly active users. With Causes, you can set up donations for time and money to charities and non-profits. Very few rake in the mad cash, but awareness counts for a lot, too.

We’re Related — For some of us, keeping the family readily accessible may be the least practical thing in the world, but this app can help you find relatives on Facebook and who knows who you’ll reconnect with? I smell an inheritance you need to get in on! And, of course, if you love your family, the app is helpful.

Enjoy! 

— Josh Bailie