11 Heartwarming British Christmas Adverts : Christmas Daybook, 11
My Christmas daybook for these 12 days of celebrating. We'll be spending Christmastide with some favorite short films and video clips. Join me, won't you?
Watch: I basically refuse to watch Christmas commercials until after the gifts have all been purchased and given. I’m too susceptible to manipulation! So, today I’m sitting back and letting my sentimental side fly free. Want to join in?
From what I can tell, Christmas ads are to the UK what Super Bowl ads are to the US (if the Superbowl ads included snow and sentimentality). I have a theory that the Brits save up all of their unspent emotion for Christmas, so if you’ve been holding back a good cry or an irreverent giggle, today’s curation is for you. In the middle of it all, there’s some beautiful storytelling and digital craftsmanship, too.
p.s. I’ve added five of my favorite ads from previous years as a bonus. It’s a toss-up between the prickly hedgehog and the Heathrow Airport bears for my all-time favorites.
Christmas Jumper Day - Save the Children, 2022 (here’s an adorable news interview with kids who love the tradition of Christmas Jumper Day)
Have Your Elf A Merry Christmas - ASDA Christmas Advert, 2022 (Here’s how they made this fun ad!)
Kevin the Carrot - Aldi Christmas Ad, 2022
The Christmas Party - Tesco Christmas Advert, 2022 (Here’s the Ireland version, and I’m fascinated by the differences!)
For Those Who Care, Cairngorm Coffee, 2022
One-of-a-kindness, Barbour Christmas Advert, 2022
Erste Group Christmas Advert, Vienna, 2022
Finding Christmas - Spar Christmas Advert, Ireland 2022
The Beginner - John Lewis Christmas Advert, 2022
The Tree - BBC One Christmas Ident 2022 (See also: The Pudding and a highlight reel of BBC One’s iconic Christmas idents which, in 2022, is celebrating the adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse”)
BONUS: My favorite Christmas Adverts from the UK from previous years!
Come and Get Your Love, Bouygues Christmas Ad, 2018
Take Care of Yourself - Doc Morris Christmas Advert, 2020
Coming Home for Christmas - Heathrow Airport, 2016 & Bear Family Reunion - Heathrow Airport, 2021
Read: Psalm 119:1-24; Psalm 12-14; Isaiah 41:1-16; Ephesians 2:1-10; Mark 1:29-45
Pray: A Litany of Thanksgiving, The Book of Common Prayer (TEC, 1979)
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.
For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
—source: Occasional Prayers curated by my friend Ryan Willers
Do: Send New Year’s greetings or thank-you cards.
When I was growing up my mother always sent her annual family newsletter at New Year's. Makes sense, right? Some years I set up a card-writing station on our dining table so that throughout the week we all take turns writing thank you-cards.
Here’s some excellent encouragement from Rachel Marie Stone, via Englewood Review of Books: Write A Better Year End Letter.
If you’d rather just have a good laugh about not sending any cards, read Simcha Fisher’s How To Write An Honest Christmas Letter.
*Sunday Scripture readings are taken from Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary. Daily Scripture readings are taken from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and include Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 1).