We thought we’d try something different today. As people start to go on holidays, we thought we would compile a list of recommendations from TDA’s team to keep you company over the break.

We asked the team: If you could recommend absolutely anything, what would it be?

I’m obsessed with the responses that came back – there’s a whole range of things! We hope you enjoy.

From Harry Sekulich, Journalist:

I am recommending a book called ‘The Happy Couple’ by Naoise Dolan. It’s an absolute page turner (seriously, there are many one-word pages and short listicles, you’ll feel so smart for blitzing through it).

The story centres on the engagement of a couple in Ireland that comedically falls to pieces. It’s a delicious cocktail of relationship-drama-turned-queer-masterpiece, and will force you to re-think the very meaning of fidelity.

And for all those, like me, who have no Irish background, enjoy trying to mentally imagine how names like Graínne are pronounced!

From Nandini Dhir, Journalist:

I am recommending my favourite Indonesian dish, Gado Gado, which is steamed vegetables (like carrots, broccoli, watercress, bean sprouts), boiled egg, tofu and rice, topped with peanut sauce.

But don’t make the mistake of buying peanut sauce pre-made in a jar. You can get it in a dried block and you just need to cut it into thin slices and dissolve it in a bit of boiled water until it gets to a thick batter consistency.

It’s such a comfort meal for me.

From Nishaan Vigneswaran, Lead Developer:

Love board games? Even better, love board games during festive nights? Then you'll love Catan, a thrilling board game ideal for holiday gatherings.

The game blends skill with a touch of luck, encouraging social interaction and friendly competition, making it perfect for a warm festive evening.

From Tara O’Reilly, Head of Partnerships:

My recommendation is a little botanical secret that my housemate shared with me to revive my wilting hydrangeas. If you submerge the hydrangea flower in cold water for a few hours (depending on how wilted they are) they will usually come back to life! Extra fun fact: hydrangea actually means ‘water vessel’ so it makes sense.

From James Elliott, Videographer:

I am recommending an EP by Feng Suave called ‘Live from Studio Helmbreker’.

It is likely to be the easiest 20 minutes of music you'll hear all year. Fun, smooth alternative soul from the Netherlands. Try not to smile while listening to this.

From Lucy Tassell, Fact-checker:

I’m recommending ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.

I inhaled this book. It follows American prisoners entered into a gladiatorial death match to try and kill their way to freedom.

There are a lot of big ideas in this novel, but Adjei-Brenyah never gets bogged down by the weight of the story he’s telling — it’s a gripping, gritty, gut-punch. Grown up Hunger Games teens, this one’s for you.

From Emma Gillespie, Deputy Editor:

Plenty of you already know how good ‘c’ is, but for anyone who’s been sleeping on this show – this is your sign: Watch it immediately. (Once you’ve finished reading our recos, of course.)

It’s hilarious, suspenseful and a perfect balance of clever and silly. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez are the three besties you never knew you needed, supported by a raft of iconic cameos. Go inhale seasons 1-3. Pro tip: You can get 14 days of free Disney+ with a Disney/OnePass trial.

From Sam Koslowski, Co-founder:

My recommendation is Fred Again's Tiny Desk Concert performance.

It's the track I have put on again and again this year - sometimes I put it on because I need to wind down and relax, other times I put it on because I want to feel inspired and joyous.

I think it's an incredible demonstration of creativity from a guy who can swiftly move from one genre to another. A few weeks after this video came out, I saw him live in Sydney - and he had exactly the same magic. It's 27 minutes of bliss, and you should listen to it right now.

From Ninah Kopel, Podcast Producer:

This is possibly the biggest podcast of the year, but if you are late to the party like I was, I highly recommend listening to ‘The Retrievals’ over the summer. TDA’s Head of Video Joe and I listened to this while driving back from Canberra and we were both enthralled.

The storytelling is exemplary, as is the exploration of women’s pain and what that means in a world where medical research is built on gendered assumptions about men being the norm, and women being overly emotional.

It’s pretty dark and the descriptions of pain had me squirming in my seat, but if you have some travel ahead of you, listening to this one will have the hours flying by.

From Billi FitzSimons, Editor:

I am recommending a microphone – specifically, a bluetooth microphone that can be used for at-home karaoke like this one.

My aunty gifted me one last year for Christmas and it has been used so many more times than you’d think. If you have Spotify on your TV, it should have a function where song lyrics come up – so you can literally create your own karaoke at home!

It’s so great for when friends come over. Or by yourself. Whatever floats your boat.

From Zara Seidler, Co-founder:

My recommendation is a book called 'A Heart That Works' by Rob Delaney.

A quick caution: this book will make you absolutely weep. Delaney, who is a well-known comedian and actor, writes about the loss of his two-year-old child, Henry, who died of a brain tumour in 2018.

The beauty of this book is that it matches unparalleled tragedy with this incredible sense of joy, humour and love. Delaney's honesty, captured on every single page, makes it one of those books that will stick with you forever.

From Chloe Christie, Journalist:

I may be very late to this, but I’d like to recommend Silver Lining’s Playbook.

J-law and Mr Bradley Cooper...need I say more.

For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, it is such a beautiful portrayal of mental health and authentic, complicated characters. It delicately balances humour with poignant moments in a way that stays with you for a while. At least it did for me! And Bradley Cooper's my hall pass. So. Ya know.

From Sera Cadigan, Sales Manager:

My recommendation for the year would have to be Crocs, specifically in the colour "bone". I wear these everywhere and anywhere, every day—music festivals, to the beach, around the house. Perfect.

For a bonus recommendation - putting jibbitz (the little charms) on your crocs, so cute to match with your friends!

From Isaac, Head of Growth:

My recommendation is the show ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ on Apple TV+! I hadn’t read the book but loved the scientific approach to food and a really great depiction of the 1950s.

Brie Larson was fantastic in it!

TDA team’s final recommendation:

Got a Kris Kringle coming up in the office? It can be a bit of an awkward one - especially if you have a co-worker who you don't know that well. BUT HANG ON! We have just the gift.

TDA’s ‘No Silly Questions’ is the perfect way to help someone enter the news cycle and we promise there's something in there for everyone. Oh, and you're helping TDA grow as a business when you order it, which is our perfect Xmas present. Need a cherry on top? It's on sale here. Happy reading!

Hi, I'm Sam, co-founder of The Daily Aus. I’m getting married next year!

As you know, weddings are damn expensive. To help us save, my fiancé and I (both Up customers) have set up a 2Up Saver account – that’s a separate account you can start with your partner, which can be easily closed if it's not needed anymore. We've committed to an ambitious goal and so far we’re 43% the way there. To help us, the account also has a decent interest saving rate!

Even if you don't have a wedding coming up, you can also manage your day-to-day spending through a joint 2Up debit account, which is separate from your personal accounts. This isn't just a shared account; it feels like a real collaboration to keep track of your spending. You're able to track spending and allocate how much you want to spend on things like groceries or date nights each month.

Check it out here. Use code COMMITABIT to give each person $10 on sign-up.