Shoppers make purchases in Belfast and Dublin and the post office is busy with mail ahead of Christmas.
Shoppers have descended on Belfast City Centre in earnest. Business owners hope to recoup some of their losses following last year's paramilitary bombing campaign.
In order to maintain the safety of civilians bags and parcels are inspected at checkpoints manned by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army,
Insisting on knowing what’s what in those bulging carrier bags.
Deprived of being able to travel into the city centre for many months because of the security situation, people are spending money on durable consumer goods rather than ephemeral items.
Dublin City Centre is busier than ever, and it is estimated that by Christmas Eve there will be one hundred and ninety five million pounds in circulation. Prices are up from last year due to inflation, but are no barrier to the thousands in the shops and streets of the capital,
The only obstacle shoppers have to contend with are other shoppers.
Decorative gifts for the home are popular, as are electrical and hardware goods, and clothes. The toy departments are also doing well, with many choosing educational toys this year.
It is also the busiest time of year for the post office. Minister for Posts and Telegraphs Gerry Collins visited the central sorting office in Dublin as well as the central telephone exchange,
Telephone exchanges have become increasingly busy at Christmas time.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 December 1972. The reporters are John O’Callaghan and Donal Kelly.