Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Festivus, the holidays are the most joyful time of the year, and with that come holiday ads that aim to make viewers feel a range of emotions – excitement, joy, nostalgia, and maybe even shed a sentimental tear. Here’s a roundup of some of the best holiday ads we’ve seen this year.
In what is debatably one of the best holiday ads in years, Argos brings to life a dad’s dream of playing the drums in front of a huge crowd alongside his young daughter. Here, Argos is arguing that their holiday catalogue, and further, their products, have the ability to make dreams come true and connect consumers with their loved ones.
Walkers – “All Mariah Carey Wants for Christmas”
UK potato chip manufacturer, Walkers, recruits the queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, for their holiday spot. In it, Carey showcases her love for Christmas and being in the spirit of giving and sharing…except when it comes to the last bag of Walkers chips. The ad delivers Walkers’ “too good to share” message in a clever, humorous way while simultaneously pointing out that even stars like Mariah Carey enjoy their products.
This heartwarming :60 spot depicts an elf making a gas station snack run on his first day working for his new boss, Santa. The simplicity of the spot, paired with its emphasis on human connection over a shared experience, is what works here – and the “stay playful” tagline pulls it all together.
This long form video from Apple shows how their products are easily integrated into the many facets of family life and actually bring people together rather than pull them apart. This one tugs at the heartstrings, and showcases once again Apple’s strength as marketers and as a brand overall. Let’s just say…we’re not crying, you’re crying.
Microsoft – “Lucy & The Reindeer”
In another spot that highlights how technology has the ability to bring people together, Microsoft focuses on their real-time language translation technology. The ad features a young girl who witnesses her mother on a conference call in which her colleagues are speaking Japanese, yet her mother hears it in English. She then uses her mom’s Surface tablet to converse with reindeer she sees outside – rattling off a litany of questions upon discovering they can understand her. The playful tone and copy at the end nod to the ever-evolving tech landscape and the advancements that are still to come.
Sources:
HubSpot
DigitalMarketer
Video Source: YouTube
