There may still be an pandemic but that’s no reason to completely cancel Christmas this year. Retailers are once again rolling out their annual season of Christmas adverts, and many of them touch on how our lives have all changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here’s a roundup of the latest 2020 Christmas adverts in UK retail. We’ll keep updating this page each time a new campaign is launched.
Which are your top three adverts so far?
John Lewis and Waitrose – Give a Little More
This year the highly anticipated advert from Waitrose and John Lewis celebrates kindness and how the world would be a better place if we all gave a little more love.
The two-minute campaign titled Give A Little Love displays how acts of kindness, no matter the size can positively impact the world.
Directed by the British director Oscar Hudson, the advert captures different moments of kindness through different scenes.
https://youtu.be/yLa1p0uGL9I
The advert, which is once again a combined campaign for both John Lewis and Waitrose also marks the first time the John Lewis Partnership has included a specially commissioned song.
British singer Celeste wrote and recorded the track, A Little Love, with 10p from each download going to the partnership’s charity campaign.
Sainsbury’s – Gravy Song, Perfect Portions and Big Sarnie
Sainsbury’s released a trilogy of adverts, making it the first time that the Big 4 grocer hasd produced more than one Christmas advert for a single festive season.
All three adverts, entitled Gravy Song, Perfect Portions and Big Sarnie, celebrate culinary memories with loved ones and festive nostalgia.
Sports Direct – Sports Starts Here
Sports Direct’s first ever Christmas advert was directed by VMA winner Henry Schofield and is a celebration of sport and fitness wrapped up into a magical mashup.
The advert follows a female protagonist being asked “what do you want for Christmas?” by her mum, before exploring the realms of sport in every sense of the word.
Marks & Spencer – This Is M&S Christmas Food
Marks & Spencer’s 2020 Christmas advertising campaign features an all-star line up and a charity focus.
The retailer’s first of nine adverts for the festive season has the voiceover of award-winning actress Olivia Colman.
The retailer said it would release the other adverts each week leading up to Christmas, and each with voiceovers from a star-studded cast including: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Eddie Redmayne, Gillian Anderson, Dame Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Dame Julie Walters, Naomie Harris and Tom Hardy.
All the celebrities have selected charities close to their hearts and M&S will make a donation on their behalf.
Argos – An Evening with AbracaDaisy & The Incredible Lucy
Argos was perhaps the first of all major retailers in the UK to drop its Christmas advert shortly after Halloween.
It’s advert stars two sisters, Lucy and Daisy, who perform as mini magicians for their parents and family.
It also marks the return of Argos’ Book of Dreams theme from last year, which saw the retailer put its catalogue at the forefront of its Christmas campaign for the first time in over decade.
Amazon – The show must go on
This year Amazon’s Christmas advert follows a young ballet dancer who is forced to practice from home due to the pandemic.
Set to an arrangement of Queen’s The Show Must Go On, the advert features 17-year-old French ballet dancer, Taïs Vinolo.
While her dreams of performing are cancelled due to coronavirus, with the help of her sister and the community she manages to give the performance of a lifetime.
https://youtu.be/gQdLD6kk960
Burberry – Singing in the rain
Burberry’s new Christmas advert features a rendition of Singin’ in the Rain.
Produced by RiffRaff Films and directed by MegaForce, the luxury retailer’s campaign features dancers letting loose in the street, all while donning Burberry ensembles.
https://youtu.be/QbmW76Cp4s8
Aldi – Kevin’s out in the Cold
This year Aldi’s advert sees the return of the popular character Kevin the Carrot.
Following his appearance earlier in a teaser, viewers now discover where exactly Kevin is and if he makes it home to Katie and her family in time for Christmas dinner.
Barbour – Father Christmas To The Rescue
For the second year running, Barbour’s Christmas advert features animation from the popular children’s books Father Christmas, written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs.
https://youtu.be/5OJF6zKppw8
Boots – Help Fight Hygiene Poverty
Boots’ Christmas campaign this year is centred around acts of kindness as it acknowledges that 2020 was a year no-one expected.
It has also announced a donation of £1 million worth of hygiene products to The Hygiene Bank, providing essential goods to millions of people across UK currently living in hygiene poverty.
Boots is also inviting customers to donate hygiene items to those in need this Christmas.
Asda – That’s an Asda Price Christmas
This year the Big 4 grocer’s Christmas advert returns to superfan Sunny and his family as they bring some Christmas cheer to their grumpy neighbour.
The advert has already won praise for its approach as it acknowledges that “Christmas is going to be different this year so let’s really make the most of it”.
Morrisons – Making Christmas Special
Morrisons’ feel-good Christmas advert follows families across the UK as they celebrate all elements of the festive season, from doing the Christmas food shop, reuniting with the family and cutting into the turkey.
Lidl – Big on a Christmas you can Believe in
Lidl’s Christmas advert builds on the success of its campaign last year, in which the discount grocer uses humour to poke fun at the more traditional festive campaigns that flood in from other retailers.
Tesco – No Naughty List
After a year like this Tesco now believes that there is no naughty list.
The grocery giant tells Brits to treat themselves “to the best Christmas ever” in its Christmas advert for 2020.
https://youtu.be/8CfrpexaCwg
Debenhams – A Giftastic Christmas
For the first time in department store chain’s history, Debenhams’ Christmas advert features “real families”.
The campaign, spread across digital, social media and print, celebrates families of “dedicated shoppers” and those who reflect the UK’s diversity – something which Debenhams said was “important to the brand DNA”.
https://youtu.be/x42N7oEGcok
TK Maxx – The Lil’ Goat
TK Maxx stated that “after the year we’ve had, everyone deserves to feel special this season.”
“And that includes everyone in our lives, even pet goats.”
The fashion retailer’s Christmas advert this year follows the sassy Lil’ Goat as she struts her fabulous fashion stuff in the snow.
https://youtu.be/MgIigoL1Lro
Zalando – We will hug again
This holiday season, the online fashion retailer is celebrating the ultimate expression of human connection and solidarity – the hug.
Zalando’s advert, set to the track Godspeed by Frank Ocean, seeks to convey a feeling of optimism and hope for the future, when people will be able to hug their loved ones again.
https://youtu.be/hYLsVwlXj4g
Very – Christmas is this Very moment
Matalan – It’s a Matalan Christmas!
https://youtu.be/0nzMPhuvZWw
Joules
JD Sports
Homebase – Christmas Monster Fairy
Boden
Notonthehighstreet – The Magic of Small Things
Dobbies – Mince Pie Dancer, Festive Thrils and Decoration Indulgence
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