If you’ve watched television or been on the internet this month, you’ve probably seen lots of Christmas ads, most of which you’re now struggling to recall. You may have even found yourself a bit desensitised to the tear jerkers. And you’re not alone. The melancholic melodies, the touching moments, the knowing smiles. It’s all got a bit formulaic. That’s why we’re taking the road less travelled this year and looking at those that aren’t desperately trying to conform to the norm. Keep scrolling to take a look at what we’ve found. You might just like them. You may even remember some of them later too.
USPS – Hippo Dreams
Storytelling has become an industry buzzword…Wait, come back! This one’s funny. The song’s uplifting, the twist is brilliant and the parents’ faces at the end are priceless.
H&M – Come Together
H&M’s spot this year is directed by Wes Anderson. Just to reiterate, WES ANDERSON! We’re guessing that’s the reaction they were going for – and they got it. Starring Adrian Brody, it is very, well, Wes Anderson. And we suppose that’s all that matters with this one.
TK Maxx – The Sing-Song
Love it or hate it, it’s definitely different. And since we’re all about the quirky ones this year, these Kubrick-esque crazies had to make it. Now everyone do the lobster hands.
John Lewis – Buster The Boxer
It seems we’re legally obliged to mention John Lewis when compiling a Christmas ad list. To be fair, this one makes the list on its own merit of being totally unique. The problem is that we now hold JL to such high standards. If this were coming from anyone else, there’d be no contention. Apart from the track being incongruous with the tone of the ad itself, we like it. So there.
HotelTonight – Visit, Don’t Stay
Sometimes (in fact, quite often with video), less is more. Christmas ads don’t have to be epic to make an impact. This one takes a firmly tongue-in-cheek view of spending extra time with the family with a neat problem/solution mechanic. Job done.
