Adorable Ads!
While we often look at commercials as annoyances that we would rather skip over, there’s something truly magical about the ones that air at Christmas. Maybe it’s due to how whimsical they are, the extra effort put it, or the strong moral messages layered into the short narratives. 2018 had no shortage of these, with these five winning our hearts hands down!
5: Iceland Foods
Most commercials you see around the holiday season are advertising specific brands or products, but this one is an entirely different beast. Iceland Foods has started a campaign to try to eliminate palm oil because of the devastating environmental impact of producing it. Made in partnership with Greenpeace, and narrated by Emma Thompson, the ad follows an orphaned orangutan seeking refuge in a little girl’s room. Sadly, it was banned from airing on British TV, but it’s been viewed millions of time online. It’s not your traditional Christmas commercial, but it definitely strikes a chord.
4: ALDI
ALDI is really on a roll this Christmas. We saw their take on Santa down under, now here’s their take on vegetables. Titled, “Kevin the Carrot and the Wicked Parsnipâ€, this commercial tells the gripping tale of a family of carrots who are being persecuted by a Grinchy parsnip named Pascal who resents carrots because of their popularity. Kevin the Carrot manages to turn the tables on the evil villain, and he and his wholesome orange family manage to escape in style on Santa’s sleigh. We hope to see more of Kevin in years to come!
3: Sainsbury’s
The New Radicals song, “You Get What You Give†isn’t traditionally a Christmas tune, but it might just become one thanks to this ad. In this commercial by supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, titled “The Big Nightâ€, we’re treated to a children’s Christmas pageant that’s more than a little bit reminiscent of that famous scene from “Love Actuallyâ€. The TV spot was actually directed by Michael Gracey who also directed “The Greatest Showmanâ€, and even though we only get to see a short snippet of this holiday performance, we’d happily sit in a school auditorium and watch the whole thing!
2: Apple
The best holiday ads get you completely wrapped up in a story and let you forget the fact that you’re being advertised to at all. This Apple commercial features Apple products, but doesn’t focus on them and you’d hardly notice them if you’re not looking out for it. The “Share Your Gifts†campaign is all about having the courage to share the things you create, even if it means doing something that terrifies you. It’s a heartwarming message that inspires creativity, and perfectly encapsulates the brand behind it.
1: John Lewis & Partners
Since 2007, this has been the company whose Christmas commercials people wait for. It’s become a holiday tradition that often involves major celebs and covers of pop songs. In fact, John Lewis & Partners holiday ads are so iconic that they’re even parodied by other companies! The 2018 commercial will totally get you right in the feels, whether you’re a diehard Elton John fan or not. The story takes viewers backwards through the musician’s career, culminating with him receiving a piano for Christmas from his mother. Don’t watch this one without some waterproof mascara on!
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Greatest A Christmas Carol Adaptations
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