Christmastime is here, which can only mean one thing: it’s time time for the adverts! Truly the most magical time of the year, our favourite big brands have already begun releasing their 2020 Christmas adverts, and with a year like the one we’ve had, we say bring it on.
Barbour's adorable Christmas advert for 2020 features Raymond Briggs' beloved Father Christmas on a heart-warming journey after he receives a letter from a boy who, in place of a gift for himself, wants Santa to bring a new jacket for his father after the family dog chewed a hole in his beloved coat. Following the theme of sustainability, Santa brings the coat the Barbour factory in South Shields to be mended, and Christmas is saved.
Set to music by Grammy-award-winning Jamaican artist Koffee, H&M’s Christmas advert this year is all about looking towards a brighter future, which we could all use after this year. Using a New Year’s poem, the video gives a humble wish that 2021 will be better than 2020. Fingers crossed!
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little controversy, which is what the newly-released Sainsbury’s Christmas advert is causing. The first of three ads being released by the retailer this year, ‘Gravy Song’ is a one-minute long video narrated through a phone call between a father and daughter as they discuss the upcoming festivities and their hopes to spend the day together during the pandemic over a montage of old-school video footage and photos of Christmases past.
‘Your gravy is pretty good, to be fair,’ the daughter admits. ‘I just really want to be home for it,’ — a sentiment I think we can all relate to this year.
The much-anticipated John Lewis 2020 Christmas advert has just been released - and the company have gone for a twist this year, as they commissioned eight artists to produce animations focusing on a theme of kindness rather than gift giving. There’s live action, Claymation, CGI and animation, with artists including Chris Hopewell and Sylvain Chomet among the contributors. Representatives tell Grazia that it was important to them to support as many artists as possible, now more than ever, as the industry had a particularly difficult 2020.
We also have what has been dubbed the ‘John Lewis Christmas Advert 2020 Alternative’ by Sam Clegg, who created the 5-minute video himself dedicated to everyone who faced hardships this year and inspired by Sir Captain Tom Moore. Every £0.79 purchase of the song in the advert, ‘Don’t Let Me Go,’ will go towards charities that support the elderly. Just be warned, ‘this is a sad song and video that will make you cry.’
Holidays are coming, holidays are coming... It's not Christmas without Coca Cola's offering, and this year's - from director Taika Waititi - is a moving journey of a father, desperate to get his daughter's Christmas letter to Santa. We're not crying, you are.
Next up we’ve got Disney, who, in collaboration with Make-A-Wish, have launched a heartfelt advert as part of it’s festive campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours.’ You can watch the short film below, as it follows a grandmother and granddaughter and shows how family traditions are celebrated across generations.
Then there's Asda, with a message we expect to be hearing a lot this festive season: ‘I guess Christmas is going to be different this year, so let’s really make the most of it.’ Reminding viewers that even if the parties are smaller and there are less presents, it’s important we still keep the spirit of Christmas alive this year — especially for the little ones.
Argos’s Christmas advert for 2020 follows the magical journey of two sisters, Daisy and Lucy, as they perform what their family thinks is a simple box of tricks, only to watch it transform into a very spectacular performance. Another advert alluding to the different Christmas most people will be having this year, Argos said, ‘A little bit of magic can help make this year’s Christmas feel absolutely spectacular.’
Next up is TK Maxx, where we watch Lil’ Goat as she struts her stuff past her peers in a designer outfit bought for her by her parents. ‘Did you buy the goat a designer outfit?’ her mother asks. ‘Yes,’ her father answers. ‘She’s had such a hard year, she bloom well deserves it.’ We assume it’s the same for humans, as well.
Amazon’s striking Christmas ad follows a young dancer throughout the craziness that this year has been. From being named lead dancer in her performance, only to have all schools close and then the performance cancelled, we watch as her spirit and tenacity — along with her friends and family — get her through the challenges of 2020.
Walkers was always going to have a hard time beating it’s Christmas ad from last year, which featured the Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey. This year, viewers watch as LadBaby and a group of carollers spread the word about the magic of sausage roll-flavoured crisps, encountering a few famous faces along the way.
Very’s 2020 Christmas advert might be up there with our favourites. Poking fun at the kind of Christmas advert you would expect — the perfect roast dinner, a beautiful tree, an adoring family calmly opening presents… — Very argues that sometimes it’s the smaller moments that really make a Christmas memorable, from blowing out the power with too many Christmas lights to finding a secret hidden present meant for yourself.
In Aldi’s 2020 Christmas advert, we once again follow along in the journey of Kevin the Carrot. This time, after an aerodynamic crash, Kevin is stuck in the snow far, far away from home. Will he make it back in time for Christmas? Luckily for Kevin, and his family, he meets a friendly hedgehog who offers his help to get Kevin back home for the big day.
Worried you might be on the naughty list this year? Tesco says there's no such thing. 2020 has been hard enough, so put your worries of getting coal from Santa aside and focus on treating yourself to some delicious food and drink.
Another one highlighting how strange this year has been, Matalan's 2020 Christmas adverts says, 'yeah, this year has been crazy, but let's see it off with all the festive cheer we can,' even if that means Christmas Zoom calls and smaller gatherings.
Plenty’s 2020 Christmas advert celebrates the fact that, yeah, Christmas is a mess…but it’s our mess. ‘Because love is stronger than spilled gravy, floored turkey, and baby vomit,’ – we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
And while 2020's Christmas adverts are pretty memorable, there have been quite a few fabulous Christmas adverts over the years – we haven't stopped thinking about Edgar the Excitable Dragon since last Christmas. Remember Mog the cat and his horrible day? What about Monty the Penguin? From the ones that make you cry and immediately call everyone you love to the ones that make you laugh out loud, here's the best Christmas adverts from days of yore...
2019
Walkers
The Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey, kicked it all off with her newly iconic Walkers Christmas ad. For your viewing pleasure:
John Lewis
And then, John Lewis dropped their 2019 Christmas advert featuring Edgar the excitable dragon and his human best friend, Ava. When Edgar sees all the children in his village partaking in Christmas festivities, he too wants to join in on the fun...only to inadvertently ruin it by burning the snowman/ice rink/Christmas tree. Poor little guy. But don't worry, Ava saves the day and shows Edgar how important he is.
Haford Hardware
Christmas ads aren't just for the big-dogs. Hafod Hardware are an independent business based in Rhayader, Wales, who have made a Christmas ad with just £100. The shop owner, Tom Jones (no not the Tom Jones obviously), cast his two year old son Arthur as his leading little man, and he's definitely a lot cuter than Edgar the dragon, sorry Mr J Lewis.
2018
Iceland
Shown only on social media after being banned from TV, Iceland's 2018 advert told the story of a little girl who found an orangutan in her bedroom after he was displaced from his home because of palm oil production. It pulled on our heart strings — and made us think about where we did our shopping.
Sainsbury's
Directed by Michael Gracey, the director of The Greatest Showman, this advert shows the North Star overcoming her nerves and delivering the performance of a lifetime.
Very
Is there anything better than showing little girls they can be anything they want to be?
2017
Aldi
Aldi's 2017 Christmas advert followed the adventures of Kevin the Carrot and his new girlfriend, Katie, also a vegetable.
2016
Sainsbury's
If this advert doesn't make you year up, I don't know what to tell you. The message and simple and sweet: the best gift we can give each other is the gift of being present.
Allegro
The twist at the end makes this advert worth it. Just watch.
Waitrose
You know what they say, there's no place like home for the holidays...
M&S
Because why should Mr Claus get all the credit?!
2015
Sainsbury's
This is the best Christmas advert of all time; I will hear no arguments.
Edeka
Just make time for the people who are important to you, ok? You wouldn't want anyone in your family to have to pull a move like this...
John Lewis
Raising awareness for Age UK, this sweet advert tells the story of a little boy on earth and his unlikely friendship with a man living on the moon.
2014
Sainsbury's
Made in partnership with The Royal British Legion and inspired by real events from 100 years ago, this advert relives the extraordinary events of Christmas in 1914 when soldiers from both sides of the war came together to celebrate.
M&S
Fun fact: fairies Magic and Sparkle had 12,000 Twitter followers before this ad even aired.
John Lewis
Where can we find a Monty to hang out with?
2013
John Lewis
Featuring music from Lily Allen, this ad follows the adventure of a bear and a hare.
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