Here at Bull & Wolf, we’ve gathered the very best Christmas ads of 2024 to help you find the nation’s top contender – the ad that captures the ultimate fuzzy festive feeling.
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7 Best Christmas Ad Campaigns
1. Barbour: ‘Shaun the Sheep’
This stop-motion masterpiece oozes warmth and comedy as Shaun the Sheep, Bitzer, and the gang return for another round of festive fun at Mossy Bottom Farm. When Bitzer’s sheepish choir starts freezing mid-performance, the story takes a festive twist. Bitzer races off to grab Barbour hats and scarves for the flock, and when the gifts arrive, the magic truly begins – golden sparkles light up the scene, the chilly blue glow shifts to a cosy orange, and the music bursts into a lively, feel-good festive tune. In just over a minute, this ad delivers a full-blown holiday story packed with chuckles, full-blown belly laughs and heartwarming vibes for the whole family. Plus, it subtly spotlights Barbour’s products, highlighting them as the ultimate gift for friends and family this season. We think it’s shear brilliance!
2. Boots: ‘Make Magic’
This high-energy Christmas ad is packed with festive surprises, featuring mischievous elves sliding down candy cane poles, bouncing on trampolines, and popping gift-filled bubbles. Boots products are subtly woven into scenes, positioning themselves as the ‘magic makers’ that gift people the joy of giving. Led by Adjoa Andoh, the Bridgerton star who embodies Mrs Claus, the advert radiates empowerment as she strides confidently through Santa’s workshop, reflecting Boots’ brand ethos. The diverse cast hits Boots’ commitment to inclusivity while candy-coloured details, fast-paced camera angles, and magical sound effects immerse viewers in an awe-inspiring world. With a sprinkle of ho-ho-humour and a dash of female empowerment, this dynamic advert is a standout holiday campaign.
3. Disney: Boy & the Octopus
This heartfelt Disney holiday short tugs the heartstrings with its unconventional tentacles. Unusual from the start, it begins with a hot summer beach scene rather than the usual winter wonderland, which attracts viewers’ attention. The story then unfolds as the boy and the octopus build a bond, sharing sights, hobbies and dreams.
As their friendship deepens, they explore the festivities with the Octopus undercover in the boy’s hat, adding some hilarious, heartwarming moments. As the story wraps up, the octopus hops off the boy’s head onto the Christmas tree and curls up undercover once more – this time disguised as a Christmas bauble. The final scene shows the octopus on Santa’s head flying high into the sky, screaming with joy as the boy watches out of his window in wonder. With minimal dialogue and plenty of heartfelt scenes, this unconventional yet simple Christmas advert leaves audiences with a warm, fuzzy, festive glow.
4. Sainsbury’s: ‘Sainsbury’s Big Christmas’
The adventure kicks off with the BFG chopping his snozzcumbers in a dark and dingy cellar – a contrast to the usual colourful, abundant dream of Christmas. With a curious grin, he asks, “Hey, Sainsbury’s, how can we make this Christmas a bit more fizz-whizzing?” – teasing the festive journey ahead. Then, a young, friendly Sainsbury’s employee joins the BFG, forging a friendship that positions Sainsbury’s as a “guide” – a secret StoryBrand principle. Together, they scour the land to gather the finest local produce, painting Sainsbury’s as a champion of quality and community.
As the story unfolds, the BFG works his magic with his dream-blowing trumpet, transforming their festive feast into a showstopping, sparkly spread, capturing the magic of Christmas. The ad wraps up with heartfelt scenes of the BFG delivering Christmas dinner gifts to local families, celebrating the joy of giving. The final scene shows someone on a sandy beach discovering the BFG’s giant footprint, adding a final chuckle to this fizz-whizzing holiday tale.
5. Asda: ‘The Gnome of Christmas’
Packed with puns from the get-go, this brilliant, cheesy ASDA Christmas ad leans into its “so-bad-it’s-good” humour with a script brimming with gnome-tastic wordplay. With lines like “What’s up gnomey?” and “Gnome more messing around,” the ad keeps audiences on their toes with a steady stream of dad-joke-worthy gags that are simultaneously hilarious and groan-worthy. The two friendly, relatable ASDA employees team up with a lively crew of porcelain gnomes who swing in to help “crack on” with Christmas, breaking a few porcelain legs along the way.
As the ad builds, the employees and gnomes celebrate by lighting the store with a golden Christmas tree, and chaos builds as a hilariously overexcited gnome shatters another leg. The puns carry on to the last second, with a mischievous gnome cheekily transforming the final slogan from “The Home of Christmas” to “The Gnome of Christmas.” Overall, this ad produces a playful, family-friendly Christmas advert that is simply pure gold.
6. Waitrose: ‘Sweet Suspicion: A Waitrose Mystery’
A family Christmas takes an unexpected turn, as the family dinner suddenly becomes a crime scene to be solved – the No. 1 Red Velvet Bauble Dessert is stolen. Viewers are immediately drawn into the suspense and invited to examine each family member’s alibi as they try to help Waitrose crack the case. Humorous, clue-filled scenes follow a super-sleuth detective as he questions each family member, showcasing playful dynamics and casting the family cat, who remains suspiciously quiet throughout.
The climax unfolds as the family gathers around the table, shooting side-eye accusations at one another in an atmosphere thick with suspicion. But just when you think you’ll get answers, the ad ends on a juicy cliffhanger, leaving audiences awaiting “part two” to crack the case. Clever, interactive, and packed with a steady stream of laughter, this campaign is a masterclass in combining suspense with family fun, making it a memorable holiday hit.
7. M&S: Christmas Food Advert
Starring the quintessentially British comedian Dawn French, this ad sets a humorous, sarcastic tone from the start, capturing the stress of Christmas with Dawn sulking in her tartan pyjamas. Dawn’s bah-humbug mood takes a sharp turn when a Christmas fairy suddenly appears, and the music intensifies with magical sound effects before a short silence – followed by Dawn’s sudden wide-eyed scream. What happens next?
Pure chaos, as Dawn hilariously kung fu-fights the fairy before realising the whole neighbourhood is about to show up for a feast. With a flick of her wand, the M&S fairy works her magic – transforming the room with stunning decorations and a perfectly set table, plus giving Dawn a dazzling festive makeover. Dawn’s mood shifts as she reluctantly admits the spread is “reasonably impressive” and lights up at the sight of pork pies.
The ad wraps up with Dawn hosting the ultimate Christmas feast and partying with her guests. Combining dazzling visuals, rich sensory details, and laugh-out-loud humour, M&S nails it as the go-to for indulgent, unforgettable Christmas feasts.
What Makes a Powerful Christmas Ad Campaign?
1. Heartfelt, Emotional Storytelling
Use emotional storytelling to capture your audience and keep them hooked. Create relatable main characters and set a scene that stirs festive fuzzies or anticipation and excitement. Build a storyline with a clear plot and a problem that the character must overcome. Then deliver a powerful resolution that leaves viewers feeling uplifted in the holiday spirit.
2. Family-Friendly Humour
Offer multiple comedy highlights, through visuals, text and sound that make the whole family chuckle. Add subtle layers of humour within animations to engage adults with clever nuances while keeping the content lighthearted for younger viewers. This will allow you to create a shared, laughter-filled experience that resonates across all ages.
3. Strong Holiday Atmosphere
Captivate your audience with strong holiday sights and sounds that evoke the magic of Christmas. Tap into universal themes such as family, generosity and nostalgia and create heartfelt moments that leave a long-lasting impression. Use warm lighting, festive music, and detailed holiday decoration to create a cosy, heartfelt atmosphere that brings out the true spirit of the season, filling viewers with that warm, fuzzy holiday feeling.
How to Plan Your Own Successful Christmas Ad Campaign
Crafting the best Christmas ads of all time involves creating captivating storylines that generate heartfelt connections. Start by choosing a holiday theme that hits home – family traditions, the magic of giving, or the wonder of the season – and align with your brand.
Bring it to life with a relatable main character that resonates with your audience and make sure the storyline has a powerful resolution to the character’s problem. Want to stand out? Position your brand as the trusted ‘guide’ in the story, through a memorable mascot.
Dial up the festive magic with warm lighting, festive colours, and music to create a holiday atmosphere, and consider adding subtle, family-friendly humour to engage viewers of all ages. Then, roll out your campaign with impact – harness social media, digital platforms, and clever marketing strategies to make sure your ad reaches far and wide, leaving a holiday impression no one will forget.
Create Your Own Unforgettable Christmas Marketing Campaigns with Bull & Wolf
Are you ready to create the ultimate Christmas advert that captures that warm, fuzzy feeling?
At Bull & Wolf, we partner with ambitious brands to create videos that tell your story in a deeply rich, meaningful and heartfelt way. Our creative storytellers craft stunning videos that build engagement, drive sales, and enhance brand awareness.
Ready to make your Christmas advert a reality this holiday season?
Get in touch to learn more about how we can bring your ideas to life.
Get in touch to learn more about how we can bring your ideas to life.
