Dr Tolu Olarewaju, Lecturer at Staffordshire Business School

I knew Christmas was near when BBC Radio Stoke asked for an interview on Black Friday and how to spot good deals. The next day, students debated and presented evidence on some offers that seemed dubious – interesting. Be that as it may, the mood around campus and town was definitely getting lighter as everyone could feel the holidays approaching – research shows that holidays are good for morale.

Christmas is a wonderful time. Just think about those gifts and all that food. Then there’s the added bonus of the end to a year a week after. It is a good time to wind down and relax with family and friends. Even if you don’t like too much company, at least you get to simmer down 🙂

There’s been so much going on lately, we decided to wind down for Christmas. Here we are at a dinner at the wayfarer, an excellent country pub and restaurant.

Academics Relax Too.

Then we got a bit silly at the staff Christmas party.

HoHoHo.

Yours truly was able to get about in Hanley.  There’s a fantastic Winter Wonderland with loads to eat and do including, rides, go karts, games, an ice rink and of course a beautiful atmosphere.

Ice skaters in Winter Wonderland Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

As an academic, of course this was writing, reviewing, reading, grading, and speculating season but still, twas nice to exchange pleasantries with folks during the yuletide season. Hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you a wonderful 2019 🙂