Christmas 2021: The festive ads are in
The Christmas adverts are well and truly here.
It’s clear that retailers are hoping to spread that warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas after so many of us missed out on our festive traditions last year when the UK was under lockdown. To end the week off, we’re showcasing the latest campaigns that have dropped this week.
John Lewis debut the Unexpected Guest
The ad take viewers on a magical Christmas journey, all through the eyes of the lead characters, a young boy called Nathan and the space traveller, Skye. Nathan discovers and befriends Skye, who has landed in the woods beside his home. Their friendship develops as Nathan introduces Skye to many of his family’s festive traditions and brings them to life for her in the woods.
They decorate the tree with fairy lights, celebrate the tradition of eating and hosting together, as he encourages her to try her first mince pie, and he also introduces her to the joy of thoughtful gifting by giving her his Christmas jumper. Through these shared moments, we see the magic of Christmas through the eyes of someone who has never experienced it before.
TK Maxx channels Aerosmith in its biggest Christmas campaign to date
TK Maxx has launched its all-singing, all-dancing 2021 Christmas advert which features a special version of Walk This Way by legendary rock band, Aerosmith.
With the theme of taking ‘Christmas To The Maxx’, the festive campaign aims to capture the spirit of making this Christmas feel extra special, whatever that may mean for each of us.
TK Maxx has put an “awkward” teenage boy front and centre of its biggest ever festive campaign, with the “unexpected hero” highlighting the positive impact a thoughtful Christmas gift can have on a person.
The idea at the heart of the work is that a truly thoughtful gift can unleash real joy for the recipient, their family and friends.
Boots’ magical festive film brings Joy to the Nation
Boots has unveiled ‘Bags of Joy’, a magical and uplifting festive film that unwraps the joy of spending time with loved ones at Christmas.
Starring BAFTA nominated actress Jenna Coleman as the character ‘Joy’ and directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper, the ‘Bags of Joy’ film tells the story of Joy and her magical bag which wields the power to make her Christmas truly magical and delivers the perfect gifts to her friends and family at every opportunity.
With the pandemic spoiling family plans for many last year, Boots wanted to tap into the true spirit of a family Christmas, with a campaign that celebrates togetherness and nostalgia. The magical bag of joy represents the 1000s of gifts available at Boots, including beauty, fragrance, homeware, electrical beauty and stocking fillers, with something for everyone this year.
House of Fraser launches ‘House of Festive’
House of Fraser has joined in the early rush with its own ‘House of Festive’ advert. At the heart of the campaign is “a reminder of the joy of Christmas, gifting and shopping” and features a multi-generational cast “luxuriating in the fun, extravagant, festiveness of the season – everything they can find at the ‘House of Festive’”.
The retailer’s campaign is aimed at Christmas gifters, “in particular those who see the Christmas shopping trip as an annual event, buying for all, and so needing the unique mix of brands and departments on offer at House of Fraser”. The department store retailer said the ad gained its inspiration from “insight into our desire to make this year’s Christmas particularly special after the disappointment of last year’s cancelled celebrations”.
Barbour teams up with Paddington Bear
Barbour is collaborating with the much-loved children’s character Paddington Bear for its Christmas campaign this year. The advert highlights sustainability and a reminder of what’s important at Christmas time. The festive film follows the mishaps and adventures of Paddington Bear as he comes up with an idea to re-wax Mr Brown’s beloved Barbour jacket for Christmas.
As well as being full of nostalgia, the festive film also aims to highlight the joy of giving a special present that means so much and to celebrate Barbour’s 100 years of sustainability by re-waxing jackets for a century.
Marks and Spencer gets festive with food
The Marks and Spencer advert this year features its iconic Percy Pig, a staple to the store, ahead of the snack’s 30th birthday next year. Voiced by spiderman actor, Tom Holland, Percy explores a Marks and Spencer’s Food Hall with a Christmas fairy, played by Dawn French.
Argos says ‘baubles to last year’
Argos wants the UK to “go big” this festive season after the disappointment of last year, celebrating the people who love a bit of Christmas cheer.
The ‘Baubles to Last Year, Christmas is On!’ campaign puts the spotlight on people going all out by wearing blinged up festive jumpers, baubling their beards and setting fire to the Christmas pudding with a blow torch.
Sports Direct ‘Go All Out’
Sports Direct have launched their Christmas campaign with an aim to inspire people to get up off the sofa, go outside and play sport. Set against the backdrop of a suburban street, the ad opens with the campaign’s stars slumped in front of their TVs. As soon as the snow starts to fall, they jump off their sofas and head outside for an “epic snowball fight”.
The idea is to cement Sports Direct as the “ultimate destination” for the sports and fitness gifts.
