Here are 2017’s Christmas ads – and all the debate surrounding them
When the Christmas adverts start to drop, you know the festive season is just around the corner.
Yes it’s November, but as the wise men once said: “It’s all mince pies and merriment from here.” *Disclaimer: They didn’t say that.
But along with putting us in the Christmas spirit, these ads tend to move, annoy and divide some of us. This year is no different.
M&S’s Freudian slip 🙊
Kicking off the Christmas clash of the retail giants is M&S with its “brow raising” advert starring Paddington bear.
The brand has been forced to defend the 90-second clip after it received complaints of bad language. After Paddington unwittingly thwarts a burglar stealing presents on Christmas eve and all is resolved, the bungling thief apparently says “thank you little bear”… but that’s not what everyone heard.
Here’s the ad – watch it yourself and be the judge.
Asda’s Imaginarium
Asda has emerged as an unsuspecting underdog in this year’s battle of the ads with its Wonka inspired magical Christmas workshop, known as the Imaginarium.
It follows a grandfather and his granddaughter as they approach some towering industrial gates. They enter a workshop (that could be a snippet from Heston Blumenthal's brain) complete with a giant pop-up Christmas cookbook, igloo smashing — and of course, a “gin laser”.
Toys R Us Christmas crisis
Coming in hot on Asda’s heels is Toys R Us with their Pixar-esque animated ad, featuring Santa, some reindeer and err…Geoffrey the Giraffe.
This family favourite sees Christmas almost cancelled after the usually trusty reindeer get distracted by all the goodies on offer at the toy superstore, leaving Santa with a sleigh but no steed. Luckily, store manager Geoffrey the Giraffe steps in to save the day and deliver the goods, literally.
Aldi’s root romance
Kevin the Carrot (narrated by Jim Broadbent, hurrah!), who was the star of Aldi’s 2016 advert, returns triumphantly this year with a love interest.
Abandoning his post as the nose for a Snow Man, Kevin boards a locomotive, finds a Christmas feast complete with all the trimmings, including Katie the Carrot perched on some pies, and the rest we won’t spoil.
This one’s bound to bring festive cheer, if not melt your heart.
John Lewis #MoztheMonster
BUT! The most-hotly anticipated ad of the year is always the number from the traditional heavyweights at John Lewis.
The production of this year’s ad has been shrouded in secrecy. A four-second clip teaser from last week showed some sort of creature with animal eyes darting about the screen. Could it be a sinister monster under the bed, or is it a furby?
Turns out it was Moz – a huge, snoring monster with puppy dog eyes.
The ad tells the story of a little boy and his friendship with an imaginary monster living under his bed.
But the snoring monster has split critics online. Reviews ranged from “heart-warming” to verdicts that John Lewis has “lost their magic”.
Tesco’s take backfires
But it’s Tesco’s Christmas advert that has divided British viewers the most. So much so that some people are threatening to boycott the retailer.
The backlash follows Tesco’s TV Christmas advert, which features a Muslim family celebrating.
Responding to the criticism, the retailer said: “Everyone is welcome at Tesco this Christmas and we’re proud to celebrate the many ways our customers come together over the festive season.”
Other Tesco users jumped in as well with their feedback on the matter.
🎄 What do you think about this year’s adverts? Let us know on one of our social channels below. 🎄
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