There’s less than a week to go until Christmas Day, and in the run up to the holidays many of us have come to appreciate the art of Christmas adverts. Often heart-warming, sometimes funny, for years Christmas adverts have had the ability to capture the emotion of the festive period in just a couple of minutes.
We all have one that sticks out to us, whether its a classic John Lewis or a new favourite from the past couple of years.
So as the countdown to Christmas continues, we’ve rounded up our top 10 Christmas adverts of all time.
10. Quality Street – Magic Moments (1992)
In at number 10 we have an advert from the 90s for Quality Street.
The advert shows a young boy and a lollipop lady’s interactions whilst he walks to school throughout the year. Whilst it’s snowing, the boy stops and hands the lady a box of Quality Street. There’s a catchy tune throughout and the memorable tagline, ‘Magic Moments are only found in Quality Street’. It has all the components needed for a Christmas advert.
9. Aldi – Kevin the Carrot (2017)
Next up is Aldi’s mascot, Kevin the Carrot. In 2017, Kevin ventured onto the midnight express his heart was captured by another passenger onboard, Katie.
It’s a funny advert that features all the classic staples of the holiday period and mimics ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, and data insights frim 4C Insight named it the best Christmas advert of 2017.
8. Waitrose – Sweet Suspicion (2024)
We have one from this year on the list, Waitrose’s Sweet Suspicion. The two-part advert went viral on social media as audiences tried to figure out who stole the desert at Christmas dinner.
It features a star-studded cast of much loved British actors, including Matthew Macfadyen, Joe Wilkinson, Rahkee Thakrar, Sian Clifford, Dustin Demri-Burns and Eryl Maynard. Managing to grip the nation, it’s an advert that won’t soon be forgotten.
7. John Lewis – Buster the Boxer (2016)
Our first John Lewis advert of the list but not the last. From 2016, it’s a hilarious advert featuring lots of animals and the magic of Christmas morning… what’s not to love?
6. Sainsbury’s – The Big Night (2018)
The Big Night features a school nativity, where a young girl who is the North Star, overcomes her nerves to give the performance of a lifetime for her mum. It brings back many memories of Christmas Nativity plays at school and the sometimes bizarre roles we were given as kids.
5. M&S – Christmas Food (2023)
Next up is M&S with their 2023 advert featuring Dawn French as the fairy, and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as Right and Left Mitten. It tells a sweet tale of lost gloves with Reynolds’ signature humour sprinkled in – a must watch!
4. Coca-Cola – Holidays are coming
Coca-Cola is known for its iconic Christmas adverts and campaign. This advert from 2020 is the perfect blend of nostalgia and comfort.
3. John Lewis – Monty the Penguin (2014)
Another John Lewis feature! This time it’s Monty the Penguin, a sweet story of a lonely penguin and a loving boy. If you want to feel all fuzzy inside, be sure to revisit this advert.
2. John Lewis – Man on the Moon (2015)
Third time’s the charm for John Lewis, perhaps one of their most well-known and loved adverts. It’s a tear-jerking story about a man on the moon who gets spotted by a young girl with a telescope. It perfectly encapsulates the Christmas Spirit.
1. Sainsbury’s – 1914 (2014)
Finally, at number one is Sainsbury’s 2014 advert recognising 100 years since the start of World War One, and the Christmas Truce football match. It’s an incredibly moving advert, cementing its number one spot on this list.