If you want something to get you in the Christmas spirit, or need some video marketing inspiration, check out our ultimate list of this year’s Christmas ads.
We’ve found as many as we can and included them right here.
Enjoy!
1. John Lewis
Let’s take a look at the most anticipated first! This sweet, 2 minute video tells the story of two sisters and their relationship ups and downs throughout their lives.
There’s a nod to Narnia as one sister travels through some coats in John Lewis and into a magical wardrobe that takes her back in time to help her get the context she needs to find the perfect gift.
2. Disney
This is Disney, so of course they’re going to include an anthropomorphised animated animal, and of course we’re going to love it.
At 4 minutes, it’s more of a short film than a traditional ad. The story follows a young boy who finds an octopus at the beach and shows the little creature all of the things it wouldn’t be able to experience in the ocean, all while an instrumental version of Part of Your World plays in the background.
There are many nods to Disney characters throughout and the story ends with the octopus being taken on Santa’s sleigh so that it can travel the world.
3. Barbour
Barbour loves to use animation in their Christmas ads and this is their second year in a row collaborating with Aardman Animations.
This video is fun, it’s whimsical, it features well-known, well-loved characters, and it appeals to adults and children alike. And, from a marketing perspective, there’s subtle product placement!
4. M&S
This is the fourth year that M&S is using their Christmas mascot Fairy, voiced by Dawn French. But it’s the first year that Dawn French herself is appearing alongside the animated character!
This is a fun and relatable video about getting ready for a Christmas party. And it allows M&S to highlight all of the wonderful food that they have on offer throughout the festive season.
5. Tesco
This 3 minute ad takes a while to get Christmassy. At the start, we follow a builder called Gary as he finishes work and visits his granddad. It’s only when his granddad offers him some Tesco gingerbread biscuits that Christmas cheer fills the screen.
Gary begins to see gingerbread everywhere and as the story unfolds we realise that this is because his late grandmother used to make gingerbread houses with him every Christmas.
It’s a touching story that highlights the importance of spending time with family at Christmas.
6. Argos
Now for something a little more light-hearted. This fun Christmas ad from Argos features the brand’s mascots Connie and Trev.
Trev is having a daydream about being a rockstar and when he wakes up Connie gives him a present that will help him get one step closer to his dream. It’s simple, short, and sweet!
7. Sainsbury’s
This video ad features yet another animated character – we’re sensing a theme here!
Sainsbury’s have done a great job with making this Christmas video feel warm, fuzzy, and familiar – all of the feelings you want to associate with the holiday season.
Inspired by Roald Dahl, the video features the BFG partnering up with a real-life Sainsbury’s employee called Sophie (just like the character in the book) to make Christmas special.
The ad closes with a voiceover by none other than Stephen Fry. Safe to say Sainsbury’s pulled out all the stops for this one!
8. Boots
Boots love to highlight women in their ads all year round, and at Christmas it makes even more sense when you consider that…
Debates over who shops more aside, this is a fun ad that shifts the focus from Santa and onto all of the elves that help him get the work done, along with Mrs Claus, of course!
9. Amazon
This is probably the least outwardly Christmassy video on our list, but it’s still a joy to watch and definitely something that can get you feeling festive.
The story follows a theatre janitor with a wonderful voice. His colleagues hear him singing and buy him everything he needs (using Amazon, of course!) to put on a magnificent performance for them.
It’s touching and has a strong message that will no doubt resonate with a lot of people.
10. Aldi
Kevin the Carrot is a permanent fixture of Aldi Christmas videos, making his first appearance all the way back in 2016.
This video ad plays out more like a short Christmas movie. With magical animation and a rhyming voiceover by Jim Broadbent, it’s reminiscent of the ‘T’was the night before Christmas’ poem.
The loveable and mischievous Kevin appeals to kids and grown-ups alike!
11. Lidl
Straight into another video with a rhyming voiceover, this time from Lidl. This Christmas video tells the story of a girl who’s given a magical bell that makes wishes come true.
While others in her family wish for things they want, she wishes to give a gift to a child in need, and then invites him to play sledding with her for a big ‘happy ever after’ finale.
This video is packed with all the feels and also finishes by reminding viewers to gift a toy to a child in need through Lidl’s toy bank.
12. Waitrose
Waitrose went all out for their Christmas ad this year and we LOVE it! The cosy mystery features some very famous faces, including Sian Clifford, Joe Wilkinson, and the star, Matthew Macfayden.
The premise is simple: the family are together for Christmas dinner, but someone has stolen the pudding! Matthew Macfayden plays the detective trying to figure out whodunnit.
This video is fun, festive, and got tons of people talking online. An additional stroke of genius from Waitrose is that the video ended on a cliffhanger, stating that part two was ‘coming soon.’
And, released a couple of weeks later, here it is:
This mystery garnered a lot of attention for Waitrose and we wouldn’t be surprised if they bring it back again next year!
13. Morrisons
Morrisons has brought back its singing oven gloves for the second Christmas in a row. This time the GloveOke song is Give a Little Love and it’s actually performed by a 26-member choir of Morrisons colleagues.
This light-hearted, 60 second video puts the focus on Morrisons’ food and the various staff members who prepare it for customers in store.
14. o2
Christmas is a time for giving, and so it’s always great to see a brand focus their annual ad campaign around a charitable cause.
This poignant video from o2 highlights the issue of data poverty, which can leave people feeling disconnected, especially around the festive period.
The visual of the ‘snowing SIMs’ is a magical way to share their message, and the video ends with the company’s declaration to give free data to those who need it most.
15. Shelter
Speaking of charity, here’s another video from Shelter. This one really tugs on the heartstrings.
The story follows a father and his daughter as they use their imagination as an outlet for them to escape from the reality of their difficult living situation.
Christmas is the perfect time for charities to increase their marketing efforts as donations usually increase in December.
16. Asda
This Christmas video from Asda is a bit ‘out there’, but it’s nice to have some eccentricity in the mix!
The video features lots of gnomes (and a huge amount of gnome-related puns!) helping Asda staff get their store ready for Christmas. It definitely puts a fun and adventurous spin on festive decorating!
17. TK Maxx
This hilarious 30 second video captures how great it feels to grab a bargain while Christmas shopping.
The story features different gift giving situations with performers bursting in at exactly the right moment, singing and dancing to the well-known Black Eyed Peas song ‘Shut up’, to prevent people from blurting out how much they saved by shopping at TK Maxx.
It’s funny, unique, and memorable.
18. Greggs
Who had Nigella eating Greggs on their 2024 bingo card?
Us neither. But it’s kind of perfect!
The juxtaposition of the two brands adds a tongue-in-cheek element to the ad and works to grab the attention of viewers immediately. And Nigella keeps them there – who doesn’t love listening to her describe food? It makes your stomach rumble!
Plus, there’s a classic Christmas song and lovely festive backdrop to boot. If there’s such a thing as a Christmas ad checklist then we think this one probably ticks every box.
19. Debenhams
The last physical Debenhams shop closed in 2021, as the department store struggled to recover from the pandemic. And in this clever video three years later, they’re leaning into their online presence.
By highlighting ways in which online shopping beats in-store shopping (no issues with poor weather or long queues, for example!), the ad cleverly markets Debenhams as a great alternative.
20. Matalan
This 30 second ad is a video of two halves. The first half shows the Christmas that everyone dreams about: an idyllic party with family and friends. The second half shows the reality of Christmas… and it’s very relatable!
Kids fighting over games, eating too much chocolate, delivery drivers coming at the wrong time.
It’s a great way for Matalan to let viewers know that they understand what the most wonderful time of the year is really like.
21. Myer
This ad from Myer has its very own version of the Grinch – a little pink monster that hates everything to do with Christmas. It looks like all is going to be resolved when a little girl gifts the monster with some boots, but then we cut to them both wearing boots and stomping on baubles.
This comical and unexpected ending makes this video ad super memorable and definitely gets people talking.
22. Etsy
This is a very unusual ad. In fact, the only way to really know it’s a Christmas advert is because it’s set during the holiday season.
The video shows Wally (from Where’s Wally) travelling the world, so as viewers we get to see lots of different cultures celebrating Christmas time.
It’s all wrapped up neatly at the end as Wally meets his loved one and says ‘Sometimes it takes someone who really knows you’ as he receives the perfect gift. All of a sudden the ad becomes very Christmassy! It’s definitely a lesson in ending your video ads strongly so that viewers are more likely to remember them.
23. The Perfume Shop
We haven’t seen the big man in red featured in many Christmas ads this year, so it’s nice to see him front and centre in this video for The Perfume Shop.
We follow Santa on his typical Christmas Eve escapades as he travels in his sleigh, leaves presents under the tree, eats mince pies, and tries not to get caught!
The video ends with Santa receiving a present from Mrs. Claus after his hard night at work. It’s as festive and heart-warming as a scene from any Christmas movie!
24. Starbucks
Yet another animated video! We’re loving seeing all of the animation utilised this year to create warm and memorable Christmas videos.
This ad from Starbucks does a fantastic job of representing all of the chaos of Christmas and then positioning themselves – and their festive drinks menu – as a solace from all that.
25. Nespresso
Who doesn’t love a hot drink at Christmas time?
This festive tale features a snowman that starts off sad but is then made happy as he’s decorated with football memorabilia, surrounded by Christmas lights, and given a special Nespresso pod nose.
Oh, and it’s David Beckham’s snowman. Did we mention that?
This one is short but very sweet.
26. Coca Cola
The Coca Cola ‘Holidays are Coming’ Christmas ad is looked forward to by literally millions of people every year but, unbelievably, they dropped the ball this year.
With an advertising campaign so beloved and set-in-stone, how could they possibly go wrong? The answer is: AI.
You may not have noticed it on the first watch, but if you take a closer look you’ll see that the 15 seconds of Christmassy footage just isn’t quite right. The humans’ expressions are kind of uncanny and many details are out of proportion.
It’s created a lot of controversy for the brand with some people outraged about the use of AI taking work away from real creative teams and others complaining that the video takes away the magic of the original ad.
27. Lidl’s Freeway Cola
Coca Cola may have dropped the ball, but Lidl picked it up.
This ad is a stroke of genius in so many ways. It pays homage to the original Coca Cola ad, with the Santa-esque gentleman and the big red truck, but adds Lidl’s own flair to it with a clever slogan.
The ironic thing is that this ad was actually released before Coca Cola’s controversial AI one. It could end up sending a lot of people to Lidl for their fizzy drinks this year!
28. McDonald’s
This fun video ad from McDonald’s doesn’t try too hard but still ends up hitting all the right notes.
It starts by showing a couple that look a bit exhausted from Christmas shopping and then follows their magical journey to McDonald’s for a bit of a treat.
There’s a captivating light show featuring classic McDonald’s characters, a comedic break to show a dog dressed as an elf, and a catchy club classic song. What more do you need?
29. Pepsi
This ad from Pepsi is a story of two halves. The first half shows everything closing up for Christmas – all different types of workplaces. And the second half shows us where all the employees are now. They’re having fun at Christmas parties and drinking cans of Pepsi!
This ad is relatable, fun, and doesn’t try too hard to make viewers feel a certain kind of way (for example, emotional or nostalgic) like some Christmas videos do.
30. KFC
This 30 second Christmas ad is a stroke of genius from KFC. The video shows a KFC staff member preparing their Christmas-exclusive burger while real-life social media posts pop up on screen from people who want the brand to change their ‘Stuffing Stacker’ meat from chicken to turkey for the festive season.
All signs point towards this being the case, but then the big twist comes at the end: We heard you. We ignored you.
It’s funny. It’s cheeky. And it’s bound to ruffle a few feathers and get people talking.
31. Iceland
This 30 second Christmas ad from Iceland is kind of no-frills, but not all videos have to tell an elaborate story. Sometimes, it’s best to tell people exactly what you have on offer – which is precisely what Iceland does here, right down to the prices.
As a budget brand, Iceland is well-aware that their target audience is price-conscious, so they don’t beat around the bush!
The ad ends with a cute, Christmassy twist on their usual slogan.
32. IKEA
Adorable dog – check. Swing music – check. Festive decorations – check. This ad from IKEA has everything you’d want and expect from a Christmas video.
We follow the story of a dog that’s depressed over the holiday season and his owner’s can’t work out the problem. Then they realise that he is missing his old armchair that they got rid of, so they buy him a new one (from IKEA, of course) and he’s able to hop onto it and look out of the window towards his doggy girlfriend.
Our verdict: Captivating and cute!
33. Babybel
This mockumentary-style Christmas ad for Babybel shows off a ‘Big Cheesemas Delivery’. Two comedic security guards deliver the giant cheese to a Morrison’s store in the dead of night, and there are lots of nods to the festive season throughout.
The video ends with the reveal of the real limited-edition Maxi Babybel cheeses that are available in supermarkets this Christmas season.
34. Fortnum & Mason
This wonderful animated ad from Fortnum & Mason oozes festivity and class. The characters from their beautifully decorated products (like cookie jars and Christmas crackers) come to life and then we zoom out to show all of these inside a F&M hamper.
35. Dobbies
This video from Dobbies Garden Centres does an amazing job of highlighting all of the different ways you can experience Christmas with them in just twenty seconds!
The ad goes through all five senses – touch, sight, scent, taste, and hearing – and shows a variety of in-store experiences. It’s a great use of such a short ad spot and really works to convince viewers to go and check it out for themselves!
36. Sky Cinema
This adorable Christmas ad from Sky Cinema, titled ‘The Little Girl’ is almost like a cinematic masterpiece itself!
The video cleverly highlights many of the different Christmas movies available on the platform as we see a little girl absorbing the information from them. At the end of the ad, we see her stringing together all of the Christmassy quotes she’s learnt in order to ask a boy out on a date.
It’s adorable, heart-warming, and full of festive feels!
37. Papa Johns
This year’s Papa Johns Christmas ad speaks directly to all of the Christmas party-goers! The short 20 second video features a sweet and simple interaction between a delivery driver and a customer.
The driver sings some unique lyrics to the Christmas carol Ding Ding! Merrily on High that can definitely stick in your head and make you crave pizza!
Fun and relatable, this video does everything a Christmas ad needs to!
38. Sports Direct
Sports Direct’s 2024 Christmas ad puts a new spin on things! This video – all about new traditions – features different families and friends getting up to fun new fitness activities over the festive season. This includes a grandmother with a new love of kickboxing, a family climbing trip, and a friendly five-a-side.
There’s also some famous faces to be spotted throughout!
39. Loganair
Loganair is the largest regional airline in Scotland and every year it’s responsible for reuniting thousands of families over the Christmas period.
This heartwarming ad shows glimpses of those families as they reunite at the airport, full of festive cheer and excited to spend quality time together!
The video ends with a cheeky nod to the famous film, Love Actually.
40. Dior
Dior’s Christmas ad looks like it was plucked right out of a fairytale. In fact, it even starts with ‘Once upon a time‘. With its breath-taking scenery and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack from Florence and The Machine, this video depicts a Christmas party that we’d all like to be invited to!
It’s very on-brand for Dior too, and features many of the company’s famous ambassadors.
Final thoughts
A lot of companies really push the boat out for their Christmas ads, but video marketing is something that all businesses should be working hard on all year round.
The main takeaways to be gathered from these videos are:
– Try to connect with your audience on an emotional level
– Animation is a great way to tell a story
If you’re feeling all inspired and want to get a head start on your video marketing efforts for 2025 then check out our animated videos page and get in touch!
