Now that Halloween is done with, we can really start looking forward to the festive period and with the arrival of this year’s Christmas adverts, it’s well and truly underway.
I’ve taken a look at the Christmas adverts that have been released so far:
John Lewis: Give a Little Love
I think we all expected a lot from the John Lewis Christmas advert this year. For me, it missed the mark.
The theme of this year’s advert, “Give a little love”, was inspired by the kindness shown by the British public during the pandemic.
The storyline illustrates how acts of kindness, large and small, can multiply and positively impact the world in which we live as we pass them on to others, and so it’s fitting that the advert has been released on World Kindness Day.
The advert is different from John Lewis Christmas adverts of recent years, and because of that, it just didn’t stoke the chord that I was wanting it too.
Score: 3/5
Disney: From our family to yours
Highlighting the importance of family and tradition, the heartwarming Christmas advert from Disney was inspired by nostalgia, particularly in the festive season.
The three-minute animated short, featuring Mickey Mouse, tells the story of grandmother Lola, her granddaughter and the family traditions that have connected them through the years.The storytelling in the advert is very powerful and I may or may not have shed a tear while watching it.
Disney fans can purchase the Mickey Mouse toy featured in the advert from the Disney Store and shopdisney.co.uk, with proceeds going towards Make-a-wish, which has been working with Disney for 40 years. In addition to this, the advert is backed by the vocals of UK rising artist Griff, who sings original song ‘Love Is A Compass.’ The track is available for sale and every track downloaded before December 31, 2020, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish.
I think this is going to be the one that John Lewis has to beat.
Argos: An Evening with AbracaDaisy & The Incredible Lucy
Argos’ Christmas advert was the first one I watched this year and I have to say, it’s one of my favourites.
Argos announced earlier this year that they would stop production of their iconic Argos catalogue (my 7-year-old self did shed a tear) however, the Christmas gift guide dubbed the ‘Book of Dreams’ has returned and features prominently in this latest advert. The opening scene features two sisters circling their preferred choice of present in the Book of Dreams, a magic set.
Their living room then transforms into a glamorous theatre as the sisters delight their family with their impressive magic skills – which become bigger and better.
The catchy song, Incredible by Gary Barlow, adds to the uplifting mood of the advert, and indeed the festive season.
Score: 5/5
ALDI: Where is Kevin?
Am I the only one that is fed up with Kevin the carrot?
Kevin is on a quest to get back to his family in time for Christmas. The storyline and the voice-over rhyming story, told by Jim Broadbent, remind me of the children’s Christmas storybook, Stickman, by Julia Donaldson.
I enjoyed the references to iconic movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T. and Home Alone, and the advert as a whole.
Score: 4/5
Amazon: The Show Must Go On
This year’s Amazon advert reminds us all of the challenging year we’ve had, and while it could have come across as upsetting to watch, it’s beautiful, powerful and inspiring.
Set to an original arrangement of Queen’s ‘The Show Must Go On’ the advert features a young ballerina who is cast as the star in a dance show. As a result of the coronavirus, the show is cancelled; her neighbours and sister, however, help to put together an outdoor show where she showcases her talent on a rooftop, in the snow, for everyone to see.
For me, this advert captures the magic of community that so many have witnessed this year.
Score: 5/5
TK Maxx: The Lil’ Goat
I love this one, and that surprised me. It’s incredibly silly and super random – everything that we need in 2020!
It starts with a goat in a hot pink jacket, an emerald green blouse and a red beret, strutting her stuff like she’s walking for Fendi at Milan fashion week. As she passes a heard of sheep, her owners discuss her unexpected outfit.
‘Did you buy the goat a designer outfit?’ the woman asks who I assume to be her husband, to which he replies: ‘Yes. She’s had such a hard year. She blooming well deserves it, if you ask me.’ As he sheds a tear…
Amazing
Score: 5/5
Marks and Spencer: This is M&S food
We get it, M&S has launched a light globe gin liqueur with edible gold leaf. It’s everywhere. It also features heavily in this years Christmas advert.
The first in what appears to be a string of adverts, with one released each week in the leadup to Christmas, features the voice of Olivia Colman who does a good job at delivering the M&S aesthetic. Aside from that, it’s just another M&S advert.
Score: 2/5
ASDA: That’s an ASDA Price Christmas
It’s a conventional Christmas advert. It’s not memorable in any, way, shape or form. That’s it. That’s the review.
Score: 1/5
Very.co.uk: Christmas is this Very Moment
I enjoyed this advert. It shows a variety of little moments shared between a family on the lead up to Christmas.
It’s not memorable by any means, but it’s simple, and it works.
Score: 3/5
To be continued…
Danielle's Walkabout 