Picture this… stockings draped over a crackling fire, luminous fairy lights wrapping themselves around a freshly cut tree.
The scent of gingerbread men you just popped into the oven, a glass of mulled wine to soften the wait time, and Michael Bublé’s silky smooth voice on the radio. Finally, you get to sink into the sofa, wearing your favourite festive PJs and cozy fluffy socks. With the TV remote in hand, and the whole evening at your disposal, you are waiting for your fave chick flick on at 7 pm. That’s when you see it… the first Christmas advert of the year.
Nothing conjures up that warm and fuzzy feeling quite like a Christmas advert. These heartfelt stories, with a familiar narrator’s voice, and the classic end scene – where they all make it home for Christmas for turkey and spouts. We’re all for it at Vi.
Therefore, we’ve decided to review and take a look at some of our favourite recent Christmas adverts. Let the festivities commence!
1. Man On The Moon – John Lewis 2015
We are starting with a real tear-jerker. Neighboured with a soundtrack that hits your emotions right from the start. We see the cutest little one watching over ‘The Man On The Moon’ with her telescope, with him unaware of her gazes, wistfully watching the world go by, and with no ability to communicate with anyone. John Lewis paired with Age UK to create awareness for elderly people at Christmas. Almost 1.5 million older people feel more lonely at Christmas than at any other time of year. JL reminds us how important to ‘show older often widowed people they are still loved this Christmas’.
2. The Big Night – Sainsbury 2018
Put on your dancing shoes for this one, as it’s sure to get you moving and grooving at home. Nervous at first – the star of the show performs for her life. Captivating the audience – after research, we understand that these were the real parents of the kids, who were intentionally kept away from the castings and rehearsals until shoot day to deliver real-life parental pride on camera. With the heartwrenching classic lines of ‘You Get What You Give’ by the New Radicals – you can’t help the smile that forces its way onto your face after watching this heart-warning Christmas advert. You have got to give it to the director Micheal Gracey (the director of the greatest showman) for the level of detail and quality of concept…did we spy a kid dressed as a plug socket for the fairy lights?
3. The letter – Coca-Cola 2020
Get your tissues ready – another emotional one of epic proportions. We follow the story of a determined Dad delivering his daughter’s letter to The North Pole for Santa Claus – he literally climbs every mountain and follows every sea. He faces nature’s most cruel conditions and tiresome tasks, ‘to give something only he can’ – himself. The message – making time for the ones you love – is what makes Christmas truly the most special, no matter how you do it. Ahh, lovely stuff.
4. Have your Elf a Merry Christmas – Asda 2022
Asda has hired their newest member of staff and it’s no other than Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf. The range of reviews on what we believe to be a clever creation is vast. Some say ‘it’s the best Christmas advert of the last 10 years, and others claim the editing is cheap, ‘poorly executed’, and even a bit cheesy. Whether you love it or hate it, We are just happy to see that ‘Buddy the Elf’ is back on our screens singing his heart out – would you believe it – 19 years after the film first premiered.
5. The Journey – John Lewis 2012
John Lewis again, last but not least… of course. Two lovesick snowmen defy all odds and testify to the power of their love during Christmas. We see Mr. Snowman embark on a dangerous journey to gift Mrs. Snowman a matching hat, gloves, and scarf – because even snowmen get cold during the winter. Plus the soundtrack – Gabrielle Aplin’s version of The Power of Love is every bit as good as Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s original.
We’re sure we’ve missed a couple of classic Christmas adverts off the list but these are our top five – why don’t you let us know which are your top picks over on our Instagram.
Read one of our previous Christmas articles here…
