Here at Indulge it is hard to ignore the fast approaching Christmas season. We are surrounded by the digital world and there's no dodging the Christmas campaigns, tweets and viral ads, not to mention the rigging of christmas lights outside!
So we've decided to drop the bah humbug and get stuck in! Here's a list of our favourite Christmas ads of all time.
Toys R Us: Magical Place (1989 - 2014)
This takes me back to when I was a little girl, the opening jingle instantly turns this into a magical world full of bright colours and exciting new toys. Toys R Us attempted to change their Christmas ad in 2011, but received uproar from the public. So the original ad remains and hasn't changed since the day it launched in 1989, and why should it. It does everything it says on the tin and still captures the attention of young and old.
Yellow Pages: Mistletoe (1992)
This is certainly a heartwarming ad, and one that will be remembered. This ad was first released in 1992 and got yellow pages back on the map, that was until digital. One thing is for sure, I know that I could still do with a yellow pages!
Quality Street: Ello Mr Johnson! (1994)
This advert will leave a spring in your step and a tune that will stick in your mind for hours. How many of you have managed to watch this advert without whistling...?
Coca Cola: Holidays are coming (1995-2014)
Nothing says Christmas quite like the chant of this Coca Cola advert. As soon as you hear the bell and train paced rhythm of the CC truck, you know the count down to that special time of year has begun. Your heart will flutter and there's no hiding that smile on your face. Something about this advert makes you feel the same excitement as you once did finding presents under the Christmas tree from Santa. We love this advert!
Sky Movies Christmas (2011)
Christmas time is the time of year where you have a great excuse not to move from the sofa, after all how could you when there's so many fantastic movies lined up! Sky understands the magic of Christmas and the wonder of film. This 2011 Christmas advert from Sky opens up our minds and let's us step into Narnia, where anything is possible. After all, reality isn't everything.
Westjet: Christmas Miracle (2013)
One word, "Brilliant!" This is one example of a campaign that went viral, and no wonder! It's a feel good ad, bringing kindness and joy to the lives of all. For most flights the miracle would be arriving on time and your luggage coming out first on the conveyor belt! Westjet trumped this and went above and beyond to ensure a merry christmas to one and all with the help of Santa and a team of hard working Westjet helpers.
John Lewis: Bear and the Hare (2013)
This list wouldn't be worth reading if we had of forgotten the Bear and the Hare. This ad received nothing less than an explosion of hype upon it's release in 2013. With a Watership Down likeness in illustration, a heartwarming story and a moving cover of "somewhere only we know" by Lily Allen, it was sure to be a showstopper. There's no running from the nostalgia that Bear and the Hare brought into our hearts. John Lewis have got it in the bag!
Marks & Spencers: Believe in Magic & Sparkle (2013)
This is one of my personal favourites, travelling through the fairytale lands of Alice in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood and The Wizard of Oz, to name but a few. This captures the magic of Christmas and allows you to transcend into a world of mystery. It does help that you have a cute little westie and a stunning cast!
M&S generated engagement through interaction with their audience. In advance of this advert being released, fans were asked to choose the name for the little white dog on social media, eventually naming the dog Sparkle. Fans could also choose the final edit of the advert on Facebook. M&S have continued to use Magic & Sparkle as the ongoing theme for 2014.
Sky Movies: Step into Adventure (2014)
The 2014 Sky Movies advert is equally as entertaining as it's predecessors and provides an angle that will entertain young hearts. Nice to see Sky further developing the theme of fantasy, allowing our minds to be taken out of the everyday world and sink into a world of adventure.
John Lewis: Monty the Penguin (2014)
John Lewis have done it again! Pulling on heartstrings and earning massive respect for creating this heartwarming love story based on a couple of super cute penguins.
So, how do they do it? Try using a cute animated animal (i.e. a penguin), add a pinch of humour, a dash of feeling, a soundtrack to stir it up and ta da! you've got yourself a viral ad. By 19th November 2014, this advert had already generated over 15.9m views on YouTube!
We hope that you've enjoyed our top 10 christmas adverts.
Feel free to like and share. Go on, spread some Christmas cheer!
Image courtesy of Beverley Goodwin.
