If you were after a last-minute gift, maybe you would have popped in to Robinsons book shop in Grainger Market or the Joke Shop in Westmoreland Road.
Or maybe Ranson’s in Tulloch Street, Elswick was more you thing for a bag of sweets for the stocking.
All of these photos come from the outstanding Newcastle Photo Archive. Tell us if they bring back happy memories for you.
1. Craven's in 1956
Craven's general dealers on the corner of Pine Street and Kyle Street looks popular with children, if this 1956 scene is anything to go by. | Newcastle Photo Archive
2. Robinson's for books
Robinson's Book Shop could be found in the Grainger Market and here it is in 1958. | Newcastle Photo Archive
3. Ranson's for sweets
Ranson's newsagents in Tulloch Street, Elswick, was a great place to get a mix-up of sweets. Look at the choices in the window display in 1960. | Newcastle Photo Archive
4. Bannon's on Bell Terrace
This 1962 scene might bring back memories for people showing a shop which looked as if it was in the middle of a demolition programme. | Newcastle Photo Archive