This is how the people of Wearside and County Durham would have done it in years gone by.
Some would enjoy a brisk look round the sales at Joplings or Woolco.
Maybe you turned out on a freezing cold pitch for a Sunday football team such as Downhill Rangers.
We’ve got life on Wearside in all its forms in this look back at Januaries of the past.
![Downhill Rangers FC pictured on a January day in 1997. Recognise anyone?](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg3NTY4YmExLWMyNzYtNGI5NS1iNTAzLTQ3YmQ1ZDg0MzY4ZDplY2Q4MzliZi01MmI0LTQxNzUtYTBmNi01N2RiYjZkZjM1ZjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Turning out for the team
Downhill Rangers FC pictured on a January day in 1997. Recognise anyone? Photo: Sunderland Echo
![Snowball fights in Backhouse Park in January 1954.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjcyODEwNjZmLWRiMDAtNDA3ZS1iZjYzLWE0NTBjMTNmNWNlNTo2YWY5YzZkNS1mYTcxLTQ3YmEtODRjMS0xOTM3MGZkOWFmMTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
![Hoping to spot a bargain at the Woolco sales in 1976.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmRmNDFmZjdmLWY0YjEtNGE1OC05NTM2LWJjMmRmNDgxYWE2MToyMjk3YWQ2ZS04Yjg1LTRjZWMtODBhOC05MGRkYTM3M2I2Zjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Fun at the Woolco sales
Hoping to spot a bargain at the Woolco sales in 1976. Photo: se
![Sunderland taking on Huddersfield Town at Roker Park in January, 1987.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdkYjMwNzU3LTU1YTktNDI0Mi04ZjNjLTQ4MmJiMjBjZDZiNDoyOGU0Mzg1OC0yNmZmLTQzYjQtYmZkNy01NjJkNzFjOTRiZjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Enjoying the match
Sunderland taking on Huddersfield Town at Roker Park in January, 1987. Photo: Sunderland Echo
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