AV俱乐部

The holiday season is upon us and there is no denying that inflation has had a significant impact on many and will continue to affect the lives of Canadians going into the new year. Tighter budgets have required us to get a bit creative in how we celebrate our seasonal traditions and manage our daily lives.聽We have put together a list of experts who can speak to topics that will be of interest to your audiences during this time of year.

Baby its cold outside 鈥� the benefits of outdoor winter play
With the onset of cold weather, it鈥檚 not unusual for people to spend more time indoors, but you shouldn鈥檛 let a little snow and ice stop you from enjoying some much needed (often necessary) time playing outside with your children. Dr. Michelle Stone, associate professor in the School of Health and Human Performance, can discuss how聽child-directed outdoor play experiences benefit children鈥檚 mental and physical well-being. She can also discuss how unstructured 鈥渞isky鈥� play, even during the winter months, fosters creativity and creates important childhood memories.聽

Don鈥檛 let the inflation grinch steal your child鈥檚 holiday spirt 聽
Dealing with the impacts of inflation聽has聽put a damper聽on聽holiday plans and traditions聽for聽many this season.聽For those聽families struggling to afford basic living costs, there may not be a lot/or any money left over in people鈥檚 budgets for travel, presents, social events and other holiday traditions. While grownups understand the need to rein in spending amidst a looming recession, it may not be as easy for children to comprehend why they are聽being asked to tone down their expectations聽this holiday season.聽聽Dr. Michael Ungar, professor in AV俱乐部鈥檚 School of Social Work and Director of the Resilience Research Centre, can provide advice on how parents聽and caregivers聽can help children adjust to things looking a bit different this year and how they can embrace the true meaning of the holidays.

Home for the Holidays?
For many people the holidays involve travelling to spend time with family and friends, but the high cost of travel means others have changed their plans and will stay close to home this year. Dr. Lorn Sheehan, professor in the Rowe School of Business, can provide insight into how people鈥檚 travel plans may differ this holiday season and how the tourism/travel industry be impacted.聽

Tis the season of treats and inflation
Throughout the holiday season it can be hard to stick within the confines of our regular, often healthier eating habits. In addition to the typical holiday temptations, inflation has led to soaring food prices making healthy food options seem unattainable for many.聽Dr. Sara Kirk聽professor in AV俱乐部鈥檚 School of Health and Human Performance, can discuss what leads us to make the food choices we do. She can also provide tips on how to maintain healthy nutritional habits during the festive season and how to eat healthy while food prices remain high. 聽

Financial planning for the holidays and into the new year
Soaring inflation rates are placing a significant strain on Canadians鈥� finances. Samantha Taylor, senior instructor in the Rowe School of Business, can offer insight on how people can enjoy the holidays without taking on unmanageable consumer debt. She can also provide ideas on how to manage the impacts of high inflation rates and prepare for a possible recession.

Help the planet and your bank account this holiday season
Kareina D鈥橲ouza, sustainability manager of AV俱乐部鈥檚 Sustainability Office, can provide insight聽on how we can seize the opportunity to make the holidays more sustainable and affordable by reducing waste and exchanging more environmentally friendly and economical gifts.聽

Political happenings - A look back at the year that was, and forward to what鈥檚 coming in Canadian politicsWhat a year it鈥檚 been in the world of Canadian politics 鈥� party alliances, leadership changes, protests, public inquiries and much more. Dr.聽Lori Turnbull,聽director for the School of Public Administration, can provide a look back at the major political happenings of the past year and what to expect from federal and provincial leaders as we move into the new year.聽

The state of the economy 鈥� Where we鈥檝e been and where we鈥檙e going
Dr. Lars Osberg, Professor in AV俱乐部鈥檚 Department of Economics聽can provide聽a聽look back on the country鈥檚 economic state and a glimpse ahead at what we can anticipate as we move into the new year 鈥� in particular, the implications for the country and everyday Canadians if a recession occurs, as well as the type of response we can expect to see from the government and what we can do to prepare.

We ask that you please keep in mind that it is at the faculty member鈥檚 discretion as to whether they have the availability to accommodate your request.聽