Welcome to our last episode for 2019! Today we chat about the little things that have a big impact when it comes to the silly season. Tis a time for ALL our favourite things - family, friends, feasts and festivities - but unfortunately it can also be a time where our impact on the planet blows out of proportion. But never fear - there is plenty that we can be doing to make our holiday season more sustainable.

So tune in for the answers to all the big questions - like what gifts can I give that don't cost the earth? How do I decorate my home with Christmas lights without blowing my electricity costs (and emissions) through the roof? And where oh where are we going to fit all that bloody food?!

Join us for this and more as we wrap up for the end of the year - and whatever you're doing for the holiday season, we hope you enjoy it and we'll see you in 2020!

Apps referred to:

To see if what you're buying stacks up against your values - Good On You - http://goodonyou.eco

To support local communities - Buy from the bush @buyfromthebush

To keep an eye on specials and sweet sweet deals - Shoptagr - www.shoptagr.com

Purple Shampoo Bar

https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/organic-shampoo/2774423/ethique-tone-it-down-purple-solid.html

Spendings around Christmas:

Millennials splurge over $1000 on gifts per year.

https://www.commbank.com.au/guidance/newsroom/christmas-consumer-budget-and-spending-2018-201812.html

$51.5 billion in spending from Australian's in 2018 holiday season

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7803-roy-morgan-ara-christmas-2018-sales-forecast-201811160424

Air conditioning running costs - Canstar Blue

https://www.canstarblue.com.au/appliances/how-much-electricity-does-aircon-use/

https://www.canstarblue.com.au/electricity/cut-summer-power-bill/

Three-quarters of Australian households have air conditioning - Australian Bureau of Statistics

https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4602.0.55.001

Buy Regional this Christmas NSW Government partnership with local advocates to showcase local produces from drought affected communities in NSW

https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/buy-regional-this-christmas/

Avoid Battery Powered Gifts where possible 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. Discarded batteries are an environmental hazard. Even rechargeable batteries find their way into the waste stream eventually

https://www.epa.gov/wastes/wycd/funfacts/winter.htm and https://ecocycle.org/holidayguide

Improved Efficiency of using LED