December at RUSSH HQ was a mood board of festive traditions, comfort classics, and cultural deep dives. Between holiday staples like The Family Stone and new releases like Nosferatu, our editors have been indulging in the season’s cinematic charms.

Soundtracks ranged from George Michael’s timeless crooning to punk rock anthems, while bookshelves were stacked with classics like Joan Didion and Sally Rooney. Whether untangling Real Housewives drama, rediscovering 2015’s summer playlists, or soaking in punk rock grit, the month was a testament to the varied passions of our team. Here’s what we were watching, reading, and listening to as the year wound down.

Cassandra Dimitroff

Features and Production Editor

Watch … Baby Reindeer (harrowing to say the least), The Holdovers (a new classic IMO, Dominic Sessa is a gem, surprisingly Christmassy), Scooby-Doo (CGI worse than I remembered but still a comfort watch, Isla Fisher really suits blonde?)

Listen … I was recommended Pale Jay’s 2021 album The Celestial Suite, and it has been on repeat this month. Kind of feels somewhere in between the sounds of Khruangbin, Jungle and The Police.

Read … The New Yorker’s profile of Bowen Yang, and a weekend re-read of Lindsay Magazine issue No. 2 from my nightstand.

Stacey Gaskin

Consumer Revenue Manager

Watch … I’ve just started Black Doves on Netflix and it’s great so far. I also watched The Christmas Chronicles for the first time and it’s now a favourite! The musical scene in prison is chefs kiss. Speaking of musicals – my husband and I went to see Wicked at our local theatre and it made me feel so many emotions. Definitely recommend going to see it.

Listen … A recent road trip to the Gold Coast meant listening to many tracks but I’ve been loving punk rock lately. A couple good ones that were on repeat were I Wanna Be Your Dog by The Stooges and London Calling by The Clash.

Read … While in the Gold Coast, we visited Robina Town Centre and I had a jolly time at the QBD Books store. I finally picked up Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and Quicksilver by Callie Hart so they will be my Christmas reads.

Phoebe Holden

Designer

Watch … I’m very keen to see Anora as I have heard this is amazing from just about everyone. BabyGirl is also on the list and of course, many Christmas movies. The Polar Express is my New Years Eve traditional watch, in the lead up to this I’ll probably tick off The Family Stone, A Very Murray Christmas and a few other greats.

Listen … I am one of those awful people who loves Christmas music. Lots of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and The Nutcracker soundtrack this month.

Read … South and West – Joan Didion, Mrs Dalloway – Virginia Woolf.

Samantha Corry

Assistant to Editor In Chief

Watch … I watched BabyGirl last night! I must say Harris Dickinson and Sophie Wilde were undeniable standouts. There was an ungodly amount of pet play and drinking of cows milk in it. However, thanks to the movie I’m listening to George Michael again, great soundtrack. Oh and Nosferatu!!! Holy god. I want to say more (but embargo) but all I will say is, your News Years day is sorted. Go watch it. Besides that the classic Santa Clause films have been on.

Listen … Father Figure by George Michael lol, and most frequently, Olivia Dean. I had the incredible opportunity to interview her last week, and I couldn't speak any higher of her and her music!

Read … Christmas cards. They’re rolling in, and I'm sending some out.

Olivia Repaci

Creative Studio and Campaign Manager

Watch … December is solely for festive fun. So it’s no wonder that The Family Stone (underrated Christmas movie), A Moody Christmas, How To Make Gravy, The Holiday and Hot Santa have all been watched this December. Still have a long way ahead of me to get through all the holiday classics, but I’ve loved all of these so far.

Listen … Just discovered Mk.gee and I’m loving it so much. (I literally always start loving artists mere months after they’ve visited and played Sydney).

Read … Hoping to catch up on my reading and actually finish all the books I started this year.

Lilli Corbett

Partnerships Manager

Watch … The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is making history as we speak and I’m ready to ’succumb to the darkness’ at Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. But Christmas-wise, obviously Home Alone, Christmas with the Kranks, The Holiday and my favourite Christmas film, Eyes Wide Shut.

Listen … Miss Doechii’s mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal – she’s taking it right now (hair inspo referencing Carlota Guerrero at her Colbert performance, hello?) I’m locked into Doechii. Her tiny desk performance altered our collective consciousness. Always Sexy Unique Podcast, no other podcast is doing bravo recaps like them.

Read … Reading Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas to my baby angel nephew Orli!

Kirsty Thatcher

Digital Editor

Watch… I (finally) saw Anora this month, and it was just as funny, chaotic, and heartbreaking as everyone said it would be. I’m also highly addicted to Bad Sisters season two, the new episodes can’t come out soon enough.

Listen… I’m deep into Gracie Abrams, Chappell Roan, and Role Model’s discographies this month.

Read… Next on my list is Hannah Tunnicliffes’ The Pool, which has come highly recommended, and I’m hoping will be the perfect holiday read.

Mia Steiber

Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher

Watch… Honestly, I haven’t had time for much watching this month. But I did start watching Black Doves on Netflix. It’s great. Over the break, I’m going to try and see Babygirl, Anora, Gladiator and Moana 2.

Listen… I’ve been digging in my archives. I have a great playlist from the summer of 2015 which has some Justin Bieber, Hermitude, Lorde, Major Lazer… it’s been making me feel very much in the mood to celebrate.

Read… I’ve been a bit stressed recently and I don’t have the capacity for new content, especially books. So instead I turn to favourites and essential comfort content that I’ve already read. I did a reread of Fourth Wing, A Court of Silver Flames, Sense and Sensibility and even The Notebook. All very easy, all perfectly comforting bedtime reads.

Hannah Cooper

Executive Fashion Director

Watch … The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Beverly Hills, IYKYK.

Listen … It’s party season so lots of Donna Summer and Diana Ross on repeat.

Read … Just finished Christopher Isherwood’s, A Single Man and The End of The Affair by Graham Greene, both beautiful albeit devastating reads. I’m onto Embroidering Her Truth next, by Clare Hunter, a non fiction on how Mary Queen of Scots used clothing and textiles to smuggle messages and advance political agenda.