The Christmas adverts banking on star power! Sainsbury’s relies on a 80s pop icon while Debenhams’ festive ad features beloved This Morning presenter
To celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, Debenhams and Sainsbury’s used star power to create their festive ad’s.
Alison Hammond, Lisa Snowdon, Sophie Habboo and designer Zandra Rhodes to name a few, feature in the star-studded Debenhams Wonderland is Waiting Christmas advert.
During the ad, there is a festive party scene featuring an array of favourite brands being used by some popular celebrity faces.
While Sainsbury’s brings the star power with Rick Astley, who is shopping for his festive feast in the store.
Meanwhile other retailers around the country have also released their festive ad campaigns and here’s where you can watch ALL the adverts so far…
Debenhams
Viewers will step into the beautiful candlelit ‘Golden Room’ with Debenhams ambassador, Lisa Snowdon as she applies her Clarins Lip Comfort Oil – surrounded by a shimmering warmth and elegance merge to create a sense of enchantment.
Explore the magical ‘Winter Forest,’ with TV personality, podcaster and Debenhams ambassador, Sophie Habboo as she spritzes her YSL Libre Eau de Parfum – offering an ethereal glimpse into her fantasy forest landscape.
Join Debenhams ambassador, Zandra Rhodes spraying her Coty fragrance in the retro and vibrant ‘Flower Power’ world, where nostalgia, colour and style collide and blossom.
Debenhams celebrity partners and popular Youtubers, Sophia and Cinzia featuring MAC where they invite you to experience the icy charm of the ‘Glacier’ wonderland filled with shimmering silver beauty.
Be captivated by Debenhams celebrity partner, Alison Hammond as she takes you into the ‘Starry Night’ – standing atop a spectacular moon, applying Estee Lauder lipstick as she welcomes you to revel in the celestial skies.
Lastly, soar up into the clouds with TikTok viral dance sensations, Brookie and Jessie, embracing their role as ‘Christmas Angels’ featuring Made By Mitchell, as they bring the joy and spirit of the season to life with their iconic dance moves.
Daniel Finley, Chief Executive Officer, Debenhams comments: ‘Debenhams has long been recognised as the trusted go-to retailer, that captures the hearts and imaginations of shoppers of all ages.
‘With our Wonderland is Waiting campaign, we aim to rekindle that emotional connection and invite customers to join us in celebrating the magical nature of the holiday season.
‘The unique personalities of our celebrity ambassadors and partners are really brought to life in each of the films, as well as showcasing our unrivalled online shopping experience and extensive range of brands on offer.’
The advert asks the very important question what Santa really eats for Christmas.
The ad stars Never Gonna Give You Up singer Rick Astley and real life Sainsbury’s workers for the first time.
It opens in a busy supermarket store with shoppers browsing the aisles for the big day, when a young girl hops up to the tannoy to make an announcement. She asks’ ‘Hey Sainsbury’s, I have a question, it’s about Santa…’
It cuts to shocked shoppers and staff looking concerned over what she is about to ask, while Santa himself even gasps in horror.
A look of relief floods their faces when she continues: ‘What does he have for his Christmas dinner?’
The question sparks a flurry of responses from Sainsbury’s colleagues while they’re seen working in stores and delivering shopping to customers’ doors.
As the colleagues share their recommendations, each item magically appear on Santa’s Christmas dinner table.
Back in the store, Rick Astley has his own idea about what Santa might like, innocently asking ‘how about some cheese?’.
To which Sainsbury’s workers and say: ‘C’mon Rick, cheese before pudding, you know the rules.’
Morrisons
Morrisons brings back all the festive 80’s nostalgia as it is set to a rendition of American rock band Starship’s classic power ballad Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.
During the ad, oven gloves that reside in kitchens up and down the UK, come alive to sing their support for hosts and chefs as they prepare their celebratory feasts on the big day.
The ad starts with a familiar scene, a father, in his pyjamas and a Santa hat, making his way to the kitchen to preheat the oven at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day.
Families are then seen preparing food for the festive day, supported and serenaded by their favourite oven gloves.
During the song’s chorus, the gloves jump out of drawers in a choreographed dance as the Christmas pudding gets set alight.
The ad, which was directed by Tim McNaughton, finishes with the oven gloves checking in on the delicious mains cooking in the oven before the meals are proudly served up to rapturous applause.
Rachel Eyre, Morrisons Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, said: ‘This Christmas – and every Christmas – great British food should be the star of the show and so our ad showcases Morrisons brilliant Christmas range.
‘But there’s always a lot to do when preparing the big Christmas meal and some classic 1980s power ballad encouragement is clearly in order.
‘And so we’ve made the trusty oven glove the tuneful cheerleaders of the nation’s Christmas chefs and we hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. Nothing’s gonna stop us making this Christmas the best for our customers.’
Mark Elwood, ECD at Leo Burnett UK, said: ‘The humble oven glove is at the heart of every Christmas across the UK.
‘Everyone has a pair in their kitchen drawer or hung up on the oven, whether they’re a fresh new set or the ones that got scorched while making Christmas dinner in 1993.
‘Our singing oven gloves are there to support hosts up and down the nation whilst making their Christmas dinner special. Bringing a little festive joy to the nation with an 80s banger that everyone can sing along too. #GloveOke anyone?’
Morrisons is also inviting the nation to get involved and share the ‘glove love’, with an interactive oven glove karaoke competition on social media.
The #GloveOke challenge will invite people to post their own gloves ‘singing’ a duet for the chance to win their Christmas shop.
VERY
Very launched its new Christmas advert Let’s Make It Sparkle, debuting flamboyant flamingo characters Cherry, Kerry, and Terry alongside remastered Girls Aloud track Merry Christmas, Everybody.
The humorous Christmas campaign positions the digital retailer and its customers as vibrant, pink flamingos and encourages them to transform everyday experiences into something wonderful.
The TV ad opens with a dull cityscape, where grey pigeons and pink flamingos are dutifully Christmas shopping. However, this everyday activity is transformed into something magical.
Pink thunderclouds roll in and the pigeons are left awestruck by a team of pink delivery flamingos who are gracefully carrying Very parcels.
As the parcels are delivered, Kerry, Terry and Cherry’s homes erupt into enormous, clouds of pink glitter.
Jessica Myers, Chief Marketing Officer at Very, said: ‘We know Very customers are as imaginative and enthusiastic about everyday moments as they are about Christmas, and we want to celebrate and enable that sense of joy and fun all year round as part of our commitment to our purpose; helping families get more out of life.
‘Let’s Make It Sparkle brings that spirit to life brilliantly, and we’re so excited for the opportunities this new creative platform will open up in 2024 and beyond.’
LIDL
Lidl’s heart-warming Christmas ad reminds viewers of the power of small gestures.
Brimming with Christmas spirit, the advert tells the story of an adorable raccoon who goes above and beyond to make one little boy’s day extra special.
The story begins when the raccoon looks curiously through a window to see a family excitedly decorating a Christmas tree – when their dog accidentally smashes the little boy’s favourite monkey Christmas decoration.
Wanting to cheer her son up, the boy’s mother picks up a cuddly toy while doing the weekly shop at Lidl, but accidentally drops it on the cycle home.
Having spotted the toy monkey stranded in the cold snow, the heroic raccoon jumps into action and crosses the city by any means possible – climbing road signs, riding the tube, and sailing on a log across a river – all to reach the family home and put the toy under the Christmas tree.
Peter de Roos, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, says of the campaign: ‘At Christmas, there’s nothing more magical than seeing the joy a gift can bring to a child, and we want to help make sure this joy reaches all families.
‘Our hope is that by bringing back the toy donation points we are making it easier, for those customers who can, to donate directly to local good causes by giving them a small way to make a real difference and help those that need it the most.’
Alongside the release of the festive advert Lidl also announced the return of its Toy Bank, a nationwide donation drive that last year saw over 80,000 toys donated to children who may not have otherwise received a gift.
From today until 16th December, customers can drop off new and unopened toys and games, to be gifted to children that need support in their local area.
In addition, the retailer will for the first time be selling toys of the festive advert stars – with all proceeds going to Neighbourly. Both the raccoon and the monkey are available in a super cuddly plush toy – perfect for any super fans or for generous customers looking for donation inspiration.
M&S FOOD
Dawn French returns as the M&S Food fairy in this years festive advert and she is joined by Hollywood actors and Wrexham football club co-chairmen, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The ad follows a young girl’s lost mittens called Left and Right, who look for some Christmas cheer.
Fairy is determined to cheer up the mittens after they were separated from their owner Lilly and lost in the snow.
Fairy springs into action and introduces them to the magic of an M&S Christmas.
They discover the very best of the retailer’s festive food, ending with a mouth-watering Christmas feast complete with all the trimmings.
The mittens ultimately have their best and most delicious Christmas ever.
Voice of Fairy, Dawn French, said: ‘I’m so excited to be returning to my role as the Fairy this Christmas, and what a treat to bring to life some new friends, the lovable lost mittens ‘Left’ and ‘Right’!
‘It was a delight introducing them to the joys of a British Christmas and a traditional fabulous festive feast.’
TK MAXX
TK Maxx unveiled its fun Festive Farm Christmas advert which features a group of adorable animals cat-walking out of their barn in their stylish new TK Maxx outfits.
As the iconic intro of Eve and Gwen Stefani’s early noughties hit Let Me Blow Ya Mind begins to play, we see a series of creatures strut through the snow, showing off their fabulous Yuletide presents.
First out the barn doors into the snowy scene is a turtle neck-clad alpaca busking a crossbody bag, swiftly followed by a pair of ducks rocking Harry Styles-inspired pearls, an elegant silk scarf and suave pink bow tie.
Bringing up the rear is an irresistibly cute hedgehog scurrying out into the cold in a cosy pink cashmere woolly hat.
The iconic ‘lil’ goat’ makes its return from the 2020 TK Maxx Christmas campaign, joining the stylish winter parade.
The farmer questions his wife: ‘Did you buy all the farm designer outfits? I thought we were keeping it small with the gifts this year?’.
The wife replies, ‘Oh I did, love,’ and the pair share a laugh as they watch their animals sashay into the distance.
The ad closes on an alpaca smelling a divine designer candle before sneezing and blowing it out.
Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot a festive Christmas bear on-screen, in the hands of the couple’s excited young granddaughter.
From the retailer’s festive charity gifts collection, a donation of £3.00 from the sale of each bear, which is priced at £9.99, will be donated to help TK Maxx’s long term partner, the Princes Trust, continue transforming the lives of thousands of young people.
Deborah Dolce, Group Director commented: ‘Our festive campaign celebrates everything our customers love about TK Maxx at Christmas. We know people want to show friends and family they care with beautiful, quality gifts, but we also know most of us are still watching our finances carefully.’
BAILEYS
Emmy Award-winning Hannah Waddingham has starred in Baileys’ Christmas advert, alongside the Gold Vocal Collective, who play the choir.
The actress takes on the role of conductor in the joyful 20-second commercial.
It kicks off with the star suggesting the choir break for a Baileys, leading up to their harmonious acapella performance as the brand’s signature Christmas ‘Choctail’ is prepared.
The rim of the martini glass is dipped in chocolate sauce, then coated with shortbread crumbs, before the indulgent cocktail is poured in.
To complete the presentation, a shortbread snowflake serves as a garnish, followed by a cheerful toast from the conductor to the camera.
Waitrose’s first Christmas campaign with new partners Saatchi & Saatchi has the brand promise of Food to Feel Good About at the core of its creative.
The 90-second advert features TV presenter Graham Norton and showcases a selection of festive food and drink offerings.
A glamorous couple can be seen hosting a Christmas party, with each guest bringing an impressive dish, with items from panettone to turkey on offer.
Every inch of the house is adorned with extravagant decorations, including a dazzling Christmas tree, standing in the bay window of the living room.
Guests, decked out in sequined mini dresses and sharp suits, start dancing to the party anthem Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode.
Graham Norton makes his entrance, wearing a tuxedo and carrying an assortment of desserts.
Suddenly, one partygoer stumbles, sending a decadent platter of mince pies into the air – but fear not, they are swiftly rescued.
Two police officers knock on the front door, but when they catch a glimpse of a pudding in the hallway, say: ‘Excuse me, we’ve had multiple reports of a…Florentine-inspired panettone.’
Then, a power cut causes the entire property to plunge into darkness.
But one woman, holding a cheese plate, reassures guests, saying: ‘It’s okay everyone, there’s more cheese!’
Cheers erupt from the guests as they resume dancing in the dimly lit room.
Meanwhile, Graham Norton enjoys a mince pie while reclining on the sofa.
SPORTS DIRECT
Sports Direct has partnered with some of the UK’s biggest sports talent for their Christmas advert.
It features Manchester United’s Mason Mount (for the third year running) who leads up line-up including Lionesses Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp.
They join Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and his teammates Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus alongside Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Ez.
More footballers come as Spurs star James Maddison makes an appearance while boxers Johnny Fisher, Conor Benn and sprinter Zharnel Hughes complete the line-up.
Entitled Dream Big, the campaign opens with Little Legend Macy, a young girl whose Christmas wish is to become the best sports star in the world.
Macy fulfills her desires by becoming a champion boxer, athlete and footballer – competing with a host of famous faces.
In the boxing ring, she transforms into a towering figure, dwarfing male contender Conor Benn. Next, Macy goes head-to-head with an athlete on the track, where she successfully distracts him to secure a victory at the finish line.
Then, on the football field, she becomes a goal keeper, performing a dramatic leap to block a penalty shot.
Macy is met with congratulations from Mason Mount – leaving her utterly astonished when she returns to reality. Back in her living room, there’s a knock at the door. It’s Brazilian footballer Gabriel Jesus, holding a huge present.
M&S
‘Twas the month before Christmas and Marks & Spencer has dropped a surprise with festive advertising which is sure to jingle some bells.
In a television campaign, M&S appears to be encouraging shoppers to do what they want this Christmas, instead of being hidebound by endless chores, the demands of others and the tyranny of festive perfection.
Using a starry line up of singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, actresses Zawe Ashton and Hannah Waddingham, and TV star Tan France, the M&S missive for 2023 is to put yourself and your own needs first.
Thus we have Sophie turning a kitchen blow torch she is using to toast the meringue roof on her giant gingerbread house, onto a pile of unwritten Christmas cards and gift tags.
‘I’ll do anything for love, but I won’t do that,’ sings a Meatloaf-alike on the backing track, as a bonfire of goodwill erupts on Sophie’s kitchen table.
Meanwhile Zawe Ashton, best known for her role in Channel 4 sitcom Fresh Meat, loses the will to live playing charades to a sofa full of people who don’t understand her mimes.
In a plot jump that isn’t really explained, Zawe is suddenly on the roof of her home, going full Tarantino in her sequins, using a roll of wrapping paper like a baseball bat to whack a blameless elf across the city skyline.
At a party somewhere else, Tan France — the fashion expert from Netflix hit Queer Eye — is wearing a white bow tie.
He sighs at the style affront, but still puts a child’s hideous loo roll angel on the top of his tree instead of the tasteful star decoration he prefers.
But he draws the line at playing board games. Enough is enough, he thinks, before throwing a tantrum and said game into a tropical fish tank.
Cue Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso actress and Eurovision Song Contest co-host, and the real star of this show, a glamorous character who wants to sneak out of the house to do something – but has to stay at home and glue cotton wool balls onto a snowman instead.
That is until the madness grips her, and she goes outside to throw all her party hats and festive baubles into a woodchipper instead. Then Zawe’s luckless airborne elf lands at her feet, prompting a wicked smile on Hannah’s face.
ASDA
He’s synonymous with Christmas – and this year Michael Bublé appears in a festive advert for Asda.
Giving fans a sneak peek of its Christmas campaign, and a taste of what’s to come, Asda released a 60-second teaser that sees the singer make his merry debut as the retailer’s latest seasonal recruit.
The teaser, which premieres this morning on ITV at 9.40am during Good Morning Britain, sees Asda colleagues relaxing in a break room mid-shift until they’re disturbed by an unusual ‘gurgling’ sound as the clock ticks to midnight.
Journeying through a stunning festive warehouse to find its source, they eventually reach a door marked ‘MB inside. Do not open ’til 1.11.23′.
As the door swings open, a lone figure is revealed, silhouetted in the spotlight: it’s Bublé, who turns to the camera and breaks into the classic ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’.
”Shall we?’, he asks with a smile, before the ad reads: ‘Pop the Bublé, it’s officially Christmas.’ Asda’s full 90-second advert is due to air on 4 November.
David Hills, Asda’s Chief Customer Officer, said: ‘At Asda, we absolutely love Christmas and this year we’re once again on a mission to bring that warm, festive feeling to households across the UK.
‘Today, we’re putting the speculation to rest and confirming that the legend that is Michael Bublé is partnering with us this Christmas to put on a showstopping performance.
‘With Bublé’s undeniable ability to spread seasonal smiles and our commitment to quality, at great value, we’re a match made in heaven, proving Asda is a one-stop-shop for families seeking magic this Christmas.’
ARGOS
TV toy favourites Connie and Trevor are the stars of Argos’s new Christmas campaign.
Toy doll Connie, dressed in a glitzy pink jumpsuit, commands attention in the clip as she showcases the gifts on offer at the retailer during a dance performance.
Her trusty sidekick Trevor, a toy dinosaur, is supposed to be recording the stunning show – but instead he accidentally films the view of himself.
The film ends as Connie cartwheels across the festive table asking, ‘please tell me you got that, Trev?’ but it is unveiled that Trevor has in fact been recording himself the entire time whilst Connie claps to herself proudly.
The tale, a modern day take on the classic ‘toys come to life’ narrative, builds on Argos’s brand platform – ‘There’s More To Argos’ – which launched earlier this year.
It aims to showcase the vast array of most-wanted products on offer from the retailer, from toys, home and beauty, to cutting-edge tech.
Developed by The&Partnership, the film was directed by Traktor and animated by Untold, with the characters voiced by People Just Do Nothing’s Ruth Bratt and This Country’s Charlie Cooper.
The disco classic Le Freak by Chic is played to accompany Connie’s big performance.
Laura Boothby, Head of Campaigns at Argos, said: ‘There was no better way to show off what you can find at Argos this Christmas than bringing back our loveable and family-friendly characters Connie and Trevor.
‘In a festive-themed adventure, the dynamic duo spotlight just a few of the incredible products our customers can buy this Christmas, and bring them to life in a witty and playful way – igniting the Christmas joy our customers can find at Argos.’
Matt Moreland and Chris Clarke, Creative Directors at The&Partnership, said: ‘We wanted to pull out all the stops for the latest Argos instalment. It is Christmas after all.
‘So we teamed Connie up with some stylish merch, a world class choreographer, and a remix of one of the best disco tracks of all time. Surely nothing could go wrong?’
