It’s beginning to look a lot like ad season… Carys ranks Christmas ads

Oh hello there, dear reader, it’s me again – Carys Jeffrey, Account Manager! I know you’ve all been anxiously awaiting my next blog after the blockbuster success of ‘Carys Tries: Hot Cross Buns’ – well, what a lovely little chrimbo gift for you this is. (And if you haven’t read that blog – get over there after you read this one!)

Now, one of my favourite British traditions is the annual Christmas advert showdown. There are some real bangers this year – but who will take home the Puzzie* for the best Christmas advert 2021? Never fear, Carys is here!

*Patent pending 

Tesco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P7QSCLtRwI  

Fun and good, good spirit of the season. Tesco normally tries to be the cool Christmas ad – I’m normally meh about them, but I’m vibing with this one as I hard agree with the sentiment. From the pretty accurate portrayal on travel restrictions this year to the confirmation that Santa has indeed had his jabs (thank God, what a superspreader event that could’ve been).  Don’t stop me now – IT’S CHRISTMAS. 

🕺🕺🕺🕺/5

Sainsbury’s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7_I8fNhhOo  

Similar vibes to the Tesco one in messaging but the execution left so much to be desired and tbh the camerawork made me a bit dizzy. It didn’t quite capture any of the joy or nostalgia I think it was trying to emulate. Again I like the message – but I’m not wowed by the final result.  🦃/5

John Lewis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTttgc0DPA4  

John Lewis always bring the top tier Christmas adverts. I know a lot of people didn’t love this year’s advert, and while I think it’s far from their best work, I do think it’s lovely. I love the magic of friendship and Christmas. I do want to know why a young boy is the only one in his town to notice a crashing UFO in the middle of the day? 👽👽👽👽/5

McDonald’s UK*: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRFSj3UC5jk  

I sobbed the first time I watched this. Real tears. Something about imaginary friends and stuffed animals just gets me everytime. I actually just watched this one again in the middle of writing this review and I cried again, so I’m not sure what magic dust they sprinkled on this advert, but it’s working. Everyone, please go check on your imaginary friends you stuffed in the closet – they are probably hungry. 🥕🥕🥕🥕🥕/5

*why would I mention UK specifically? Oh, dear reader, keep reading.

M&S Food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlem-MOMZOs  

I love Percy pig. I love Tom Holland. Percy pig as an adorable animated pig with the voice of Tom Holland is adorable. This advert also focuses on one of the most magical elements of Christmas which is – of course – the food. The elephant in the room is, thank god Percy didn’t stumble upon the pigs in blankets. Awkwardness avoided. Our Senior Community Manager, George, wants me to mention Dawn French being in the advert too, but I’ll be honest I really don’t know who Dawn French is.  🐷🐷🐷/5

Boots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-CM_yPJDD0&t=13s  

Right, I’m gonna get crucified for this one – I don’t like it. Compared to the rest of the adverts this one just feels… a little too ad-dy. the ‘get everything you need at Boots for Christmas’ thing feels like it’s been laid on super thick – yes, I know that’s the point. And, if we’re being brutally honest, the bag isn’t cute. If I had 3 Boots aisles’ worth of lipstick in a magical Mary Poppins bag I’d probably spend less time looking deep in thought and a lot more time cracking on with my gifting (and, you know, maybe seeing if there’s a winning lottery ticket in there too). Next! 👜/5

Aldi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-PhgjyNSs

I actually love this one. The food puns, Cuthbert being arrested in the background, Marcus Radishford. It’s also very reminiscent of the best Christmas film, ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ – and I’d watch a 2 hour version of this advert if they turned it into a full length film. It’s between this and McDonald’s for me this year. 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌/5

#FreeCuthbert

Lidl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfexHlJ-BVU 

Somehow this one feels really clunky all around – sorry Lidl. I get the point they’re making, but the time jumps are, well, jumpy. It’s a fun concept, but it goes on for far too long. The tagline ‘Even when we’re carving turkeys with lasers, we’ll always be Lidl on price’ feels like it was mentioned in one creative meeting and they just ran with it.  🐶/5 – only for the line ‘Is there a spare one going, Maxine?’

McDonald’s USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZrEOXZ-fTs

BONUS one for y’all in the USA – the McDonald’s ad. Christmas adverts aren’t as much of a showdown tradition in the US, but I just really wanted to share this McDonald’s offer and commercial with everyone.

First off, I have so many questions. What is on the Mariah menu?! What is the Mariah menu? Why does the food look so unappetising? I’m cackling at the greenscreen shot of Mariah in front of a McDonald’s in a ballgown. This absolutely feels like they had one uninterrupted take of Mariah to work with and they ran with it. 🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔/5

Tune in next time… What will Carys rate next? 👀

Could we work together to produce next year’s top Christmas ad? Absolutely. As they say, if you don’t ask, you’ll never know. Ho ho ho.

 
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Ella Seasmith

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