2024 Christmas Advert Overview

By Millie Roberts

November 29, 2024

2024 Christmas Advert Overview

It’s TIIIIIME!! The Queen of Christmas has officially thawed.

Spooky season is over and Tis the season to be jolly and festive. Christmas adverts will forever be a staple in British culture as we curl up on the sofa with our Bailey’s hot chocolates, waiting for the Coca-Cola truck to drive by our screens, or if the new John Lewis advert will bring us to tears like The Bear and the Hare.

Some may argue that the Christmas Spirit has dwindled over the past few years, and the Grinch really has stolen Christmas. Especially after reading so many negative blog posts about the 2024 Christmas Adverts, so I thought I’d write something positive about them. (Although I can’t say they’re perfect, some lacking the magic of Christmas altogether, others formulaic and generic)

With enhanced resources and cutting-edge technology, even the Rise of AI for some. Let’s look at some of the best 2024 Christmas Adverts so far.

1. Tesco’s Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit

This year, Tesco beautifully captures a core part of Christmas: Family and tradition. Christmas is all about coming together, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying all things sweet during this “festive” time of year. Especially Gingerbread! We follow the story of a Grandson who’s missing his Grandma but is reminded of the holiday cheer with a box of gingerbread and how Christmas is best spent with your friends and family.

Tesco also cooked with the song choice of “On Melancholy Hill” by Gorillaz. It is a nostalgic, emotional song that hits deep for many, perfectly fitting for this heart-melting Christmas Ad.

2. Aldi’s return of Kevin the Carrot

9 years ago, Kevin the Carrot blessed our screens and thus began Kevin the Carrot’s Adventure Saga. Although Aldi’s iconic mascot is hit or miss for some people, you can’t deny Kevin brings festive joy to the screens and always highlights the importance of keeping the Christmas spirit alive. Quite literally as this year as he embarks on a mission to save the Christmas Spirit from the evil humbugs.

3. Asda, Gnome of Christmas

Although Gnomes are a little strange for Christmas, it’s silly and goofy in all the right ways. It’s also very relatable, especially for those who work in retail and hospitality. I wish I had a team of Gnomes to help me set up for Christmas. The snow has blocked the streets, and the store isn’t ready, but not to fear, an army of Gnomes fly through the door (literally) to help prepare the Turkey, the puddings and the all-important star on top of the tree.

4. John Lewis, The Gifting Hour

A beautiful story about a sister searching her memories to try and find the perfect gift for her sister. It’s heart-warming, relatable and home-hitting, everything you would expect from a John Lewis advert. John Lewis knows how to bring out a tear or two as they bring to life the idea of how objects and emotions can evoke memories.

5. Sainsbury’s BIG Christmas

As the BFG leaps across the world and our screens, you can’t help but feel nostalgic. Growing tired of disgusting snozzcumbers, the BFG travels to Sainsbury’s to find some more delectable fizzwizzing food. Bringing Sophie along for the magical ride around the world, collecting ingredients for that perfect dreamy Christmas Dinner. Don’t forget to sprinkle that magical Christmas dust!

6. M&S FOOD ft Dawn French

This is probably the most British-coded advert this year, and we are here for it. I mean, what’s Christmas without some British Banter? Dawn French’s quippy one-liners and witty humour instantly make this ad charismatic and likeable, as it feels unscripted while also bringing some festive cheer with (in my opinion) one of the best Christmas songs to ever exist. Let’s be honest; we’ve all felt the way Dawn felt at the beginning of the ad at some point, and yet we still end up eating, drinking and dancing, revelling in the Christmas Spirit just like Dawn.

7. Boots #MakeMagic

Boots this year is giving girl boss. Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) is slaying this Christmas season, taking charge of a workshop run by women as they prepare Christmas gifts for the big night. The glitz, the glam, and the bows bring the holiday spirit to life. It’s true what they say: Christmas is organised by women. Many took to social media to complain about the advert, one saying: “Who even shops at Boots for Christmas?” umm, Women do! Have they ever even been to Boots? I know I’m looking forward to my annual perfume present.

8. Amazon, Midnight opus

Christmas Adverts are when the nation comes together to get into the Christmas spirit, and Amazon hits the nail with its uplifting Midnight Opus ad. It is a story of celebrating joy, love and kindness by doing something special for someone you care about. We follow the story of a theatre janitor who loves to sing and wishes for a life on the big stage; his colleagues are fascinated by his remarkable voice and orchestrate a surprise where they buy him a tuxedo jacket to gift to him. They gather around the stage and encourage the janitor to sing them a song, making the janitor’s long-life dream come true.

9. Waitrose, Sweet Suspicion

Waitrose has one question: “Who stole the Christmas Dessert?” This Christmas, Waitrose captured our attention with a cosy mystery with a creamy, luxurious bauble dessert at the heart of it. The centrepiece Christmas Dessert has gone missing, and Matthew Macfayden is determined to find the culprit. However, everyone seems to have alibis and motives. Could it be the stressed-out Dad? The annoyed Grandmother whose job was reduced to the cranberry sauce? Or the Uncle who showed up at the last minute? We’re all waiting for Part 2, to find out who the culprit is, as we enjoy a lovely festive detective mystery.