It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But Christmas will be different from other years due to COVID-19, and brands are reading the room.
Staying away from pandemic themed messages, this year’s Christmas ads spread some much-needed festive cheer and fill us with hope, happiness, and laughter.
1. Very.co.uk: Christmas is This Very Moment
Very’s tongue-in-cheek Christmas ad sends the message that the best thing about Christmas is not just the day itself but all the details in the build-up. This ad is realistic, raw, honest, and captures what’s really special about Christmas.
2. TK Maxx: Lil’ Goat
High-street retailer TK Maxx brings a sassy fashion-forward goat to spread some Christmas cheer. This upbeat Christmas ad intelligently acknowledges the challenges of 2020 and celebrates the act of gift-giving. It’s great to see a playful and uplifting Christmas ad – with some cool and cheerful music, too.
3. Lego: And I Think to Myself
Filled with robots and dragons, this playful Christmas commercial by Lego celebrates the magic of the everyday as experienced by children through Lego play. The ad is a fantasy trip that provides a welcome escape from reality-which some of us need.
4. Argos: An Evening with AbracaDaisy & The Incredible Lucy
What’s Christmas without some magic? Argos taps into nostalgia in a Christmas campaign inspired by its popular catalogue, “Book of Dreams”. This year, two sisters have their dreams of becoming master magicians come true after they circle a box of magic tricks in an Argos gift guide.
5. Pepsi Max: Christmas Refreshed
Christmas Refreshed shatters old Christmas traditions and encourages people to try something new this season. Enlisting rap artists, Kamakaze and TrueMendous, the ad replaces long standing tropes of Christmas with cool alternatives – a hench sound system replaces a sledge, and a festive jumper transforms into a sick Pepsi jacket.
6. Asda: That’s An Asda Price Christmas
Acknowledging that this year’s Christmas will be a little different for everyone, Asda’s price-focused campaign reassures customers that everyone can have an extra special Christmas at the prices they want. This ad brings some seasonal cheer to customers with a no-frills approach.
7. Walmart: America’s Cart
Walmart’s Holiday season commercial does an effective recap of 2020 through what their customers have been buying.
The ad shows Walmart customers online shopping searches begin with regular things like Valentine’s day cards and beanies. But as the world changed, demand for essential supplies like milk and sugar increased. The ad is a great reminder of what’s truly essential in our lives hasn’t change.
8. Amazon: The Show Must Go On
Set to an arrangement of Queen’s ‘The Show Must Go On’, Amazon’s holiday ad tells the inspiring story of a young ballerina who triumphs through the challenges of 2020. This inspiring ad pays tribute to the indomitable human spirit and the power of community.