From sorting the post to preparing the Christmas puddings, decorating cakes to preparing the turkey, it all takes plenty of toil and time as these Sunderland Echo archive photos show.
We have photos of people putting the finishing touches to the festive season in years gone by, at places such as the Seaburn Hotel, Milburns bakery and Gibbons butchers.
It’s a feast of festive memories. Why not see if you can spot someone you know?
9. The hardest worker of all
How does Santa get round all those houses on Christmas Eve? In the meantime, here he is taking present requests from children at the Farringdon Playgroup Christmas party in 1976. Photo: Sunderland Echo
10. Share your own memories
What are your memories of having to work at Christmas? Tell us more by emailing [email protected] Photo: se
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