The days of post war rationing and austerity were still recent memories so, especially in the early years of the decade, 1960s Christmases still had a feeling of frugality when compared to those of today.Ronald Sanderson was an amateur photographer who lived in South Shields. He took these fascinating photos of Christmas shop fronts and high street scenes of Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields in the 1960s.These images are part of the Ronald Sanderson collection which was kindly donated to Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

A festive window of the Broadloom Mill shop on Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1962

A festive window display in Fenwick’s of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1962

A night view of the Christmas display at Allen’s department store, 1962

A Scalextric racing kit is displayed in Fenwick’s toy department at Christmas time, 1962

A view of the decorated Christmas window of Bainbridge’s in Newcastle upon Tyne. The sign reads “Bainbridge, a century of service”, 1962

Children meet Father Christmas in Santa’s Grotto, Fenwick’s department store, 1962

The decorated Christmas window of the Woods store in South Shields, 1962

The display for ‘Fenwick’s, for all your Christmas presents’ at Fenwick’s department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1962

The illuminated Christmas windows of the Westoe Road cooperative store in South Shields, 1962

A children’s Christmas display at Binns department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

A view of the festive display in Callers department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

Gift time at Binns department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

Shoppers look at the festive displays at Callers department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

The Broadlooms Christmas display window, 1963

The festive window of Binns department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

The illuminated and festive window of the Electricity shop in King Street, South Shields, 1963

The illuminated Christmas window of Glassburg’s shop in Fowler Street, South Shields, 1963

The illuminated window of Bainbridge’s department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

The illuminated windows of Allen’s department sore in South Shields, 1963

The window of the Broadloom Mills shop on Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

The window of Waring and Gillow, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963

A children’s window display in Callers store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964

A festive circus scene featuring Father Christmas at Callers department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964

The arcade of Callers store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964.

The arcade of Callers store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964

The Callers department store name is spelt out in festive lights, 1964

The festive lights of Fenwick’s department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1964

5 A colorful display in Bainbridge’s department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1965

A festive Christmas display at Fenwick’s department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1965

A festive display at Fenwick’s department store shows a variety of bottled Christmas spirits, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1965

A festive display for children at Callers department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1965

A night time view of Binns department store Christmas window in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1965

A poultry store in Newcastle upon Tyne displays their Christmas birds, 1965

A bear band in a winter wonderland display at Callers department store in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

A Christmas display in Bainbridge’s department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

A Christmas display in Callers department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

A Christmas display titled ‘The directors and staff’ at Callers in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

A men’s gift display in Binns department store, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

The gift display in a ladies fashion shop on Saville Row, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966

The illuminated, wall mounted Nativity scene in Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1966