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These vintage pics of Christmas shopping crowds will make you glad it's all over

This is not a modern nightmare – people in the 1930s were running around like headless chickens doing last minute shopping as well.

THAT CHRISTMAS RUSH is finally over and we hope right now you’ve all left the last minutes shopping stress behind.

The memories of the hectic crowds are probably still fresh in your mind though, as you munch on your twelfth Rose of the day. Well, take some comfort in knowing that these poor souls, back in the 1930s, 40s and 50s felt your pain.

At Petticoat Lane Market in London, it appears it was festive mayhem every year.

London Petticoat Lane Market Crowds on the last Sunday before Christmas in 1938. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

PA-8651132 Shoppers look for Christmas gifts, at London's Petticoat Lane market, December 8, 1940. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive / EMPICS Archive

As this department store in London in 1942, there was absolute murder as women rushed to buy silk stockings which were on sale.

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

This lady in 1946 New York City looks delighted with her purchases from Macy’s. We think the little one could probably be pulling more weight though, considering half of those packages are probably for her.

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

These New York crowds were doing their last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve 1946:

AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

It was all hustle bustle on Regents Street, London, in 1954:

S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive / EMPICS Archive

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of high-end shopping in Selfridges. The slightly sweaty man in the white scarf looks particularly worried…

S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive / EMPICS Archive

Rejoice at the fact that you won’t have to face this again until 12 months from now – unless you plan on braving the January sales, that is.

Read: Black Friday: What is it and why is it creeping in on Ireland?>

Read: Poll: Are you shopping online for Christmas?>

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