The end of the year isn’t always about the ‘out with the old and in with the new’. Things can seem pretty reheated during Christmas; your mom gets out the tattered tinsel purchased somewhere in the late 80s, you’ll hear ‘Last Christmas’ over and over… and over again and your uncle will still crack the same offensive jokes. But something that we all look forward to each and every single year are John Lewis’ Christmas adverts. You see, watching a John Lewis ad feels like a door has suddenly opened and let in a massive gust of Christmas spirit wind. The UK prepares its tissues and waits to discover the song that serves as a backbone to the ad. The fact is John Lewis just knocks Christmas ads out of the park. Even the most cynical anti-consumerist miser gets secretly misty-eyed before vomiting out a “We are slaves to capitalism” comment under the video.
This year, the ad tells the story of a dog called Buster and his adorable owner named Bridget. Bridget’s dad is in the garden building a surprise trampoline for his daughter in time for Xmas day. Night falls and a merry bunch of woodland animals stumble across Bridget’s gift and decide to give it a try. Ensues 2 whole minutes of foxes, squirrels and badgers having the time of their lives, bouncing up and down on a trampoline. Poor Buster, meanwhile, is stuck in the house missing out on all the fun.
The ad and message are gorgeous and funny, but don’t take our word for it, see for yourselves.
We can all agree that the video is pretty sweet and couldn’t have come at a better time amidst the current bleak affairs which have dragged down morale.
The featured song is just as charming and poetic as the ad. Listen to the stunning cover of Randy Crawford’s ‘One Day I’ll Fly Away’ by London based electronica collective Vaults. Quick, let’s get November over and done with and throw ourselves into the Christmas season.
If you haven’t seen any of the previous John Lewis ads, treat yourself and watch below. Just make sure to get the tissues ready.
2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuz2ILq4UeA
2014
2013
2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N8axp9nHNU
2010
