The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and festive cheer—and brands often seize the opportunity to create commercials that capture the spirit of Christmas. In 2024, FMCG brands and retailers have outdone themselves, delivering creative, heartwarming, and memorable campaigns that not only entertain but also reflect themes of tradition, kindness, and celebration.
From iconic characters to innovative storytelling, these ads bring a mix of nostalgia, humor, and community spirit to the festive season. Below is a curated list of the best Christmas commercials from retailers and FMCG brands this year.
Best Christmas Commercials from Retailers in 2024
The 2024 holiday season has seen a variety of creative and heartwarming Christmas commercials from FMCG brands and grocery retailers. Here are some notable campaigns:
1. Sainsbury – “Giant Country”
Concept: Sainsbury's collaborates with the Roald Dahl Story Company to bring the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) to life in a whimsical Christmas adventure. The ad follows Sophie, a Sainsbury's colleague, as she guides the BFG through festive preparations, creating a sense of wonder and nostalgia.
Message: The campaign blends childhood nostalgia with the excitement of culinary delights, highlighting Sainsbury’s premium 'Taste the Difference' range. It emphasizes the joy of bringing festive magic and exceptional food to every home.
Design: The visuals feature enchanting, fairy-tale-like settings with the BFG, showcasing festive foods in a magical and memorable way.
2. Tesco – “Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit”
Concept: Tesco's Christmas 2024 campaign tells the heartwarming story of Gary, a man reflecting on his late grandmother’s passion for baking gingerbread houses. The narrative creatively transitions between real-life scenes and gingerbread recreations, evoking a sense of nostalgia and holiday magic.
Message: The ad underscores the importance of family, tradition, and the joy of recreating cherished memories during the festive season.
Design: The visuals feature gingerbread house creations intertwined with family moments, offering a whimsical and heartfelt holiday aesthetic.
3. Lidl – 'A Magical Christmas'
Concept: Lidl's Christmas campaign focuses on the joy of sharing and the magic of giving during the holiday season. The story follows a young girl spreading kindness and positivity, inspiring others to embrace the festive spirit of generosity.
Message: The campaign embodies hope, kindness, and the importance of giving back, highlighting Lidl's toy bank initiative that encourages customers to donate toys for children in need.
Design: The visuals feature a warm, festive aesthetic, with scenes of heartfelt moments and acts of kindness, creating an uplifting and magical atmosphere that resonates with the holiday season.
4. Asda – 'Gnomes of Christmas'
Concept: Asda's animated Christmas campaign features a team of garden gnomes who spring into action to save Christmas when a snowstorm threatens festive preparations at an Asda store. Their heartwarming adventure is filled with humor, charm, and holiday cheer.
Message: The advert highlights themes of teamwork, community spirit, and resilience, emphasizing the joy of coming together to overcome challenges during the festive season.
Design: The visuals showcase a vibrant, snowy landscape, charming animated gnomes, and Asda's festive offerings, creating a magical and uplifting holiday atmosphere.
5. Aldi – 'Kevin the Carrot Returns'
Concept: Aldi's iconic character, Kevin the Carrot, embarks on a festive adventure to restore the "Spirit of Christmas." The story is filled with humor, heartwarming moments, and a touch of festive mischief, making it a delightful watch for all ages.
Message: The campaign reinforces Aldi's dedication to spreading holiday cheer and providing high-quality festive products at unbeatable prices. It highlights the joy of the season and the importance of togetherness.
Design: The visuals showcase a mix of vibrant holiday settings, whimsical animation, and Aldi's festive food range, creating a fun and engaging holiday narrative.
FMCG Christmas ads and commercials 2024
1. Waitrose – 'Sweet Suspicion: A Waitrose Mystery'
Concept: Waitrose's Christmas campaign takes a unique approach with a two-part "whodunnit" story. Set during a family gathering, the narrative revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a festive dessert. The star-studded cast, including Matthew Macfadyen, Joe Wilkinson, Rakhee Thakrar, Sian Clifford, Dustin Demri-Burns, and Eryl Maynard, adds charm and intrigue.
Message: The campaign emphasizes the joy of festive celebrations and the importance of indulgent treats, while showcasing Waitrose's premium holiday offerings.
Tagline: N/A (centered on the narrative and festive intrigue).
Design: The visuals combine a cozy holiday setting with playful mystery elements, culminating in a heartwarming and humorous reveal in the second installment.
2. Kikkoman - “Soy to the World”
Concept: The campaign addresses food waste by focusing on Brussels sprouts, a traditional Christmas dish in the UK. It notes that 750 million Brussels sprouts are bought annually, with half often discarded.
Message: Kikkoman promotes its soy sauce as an ingredient to elevate and reduce waste by adding a flavorful twist to sprout recipes.
Tagline: "Soy to the World" creatively connects the product to the festive season.
Design: The visuals incorporate Kikkoman bottles with Santa hats, surrounded by Brussels sprouts, creating a fun and festive vibe.
3. Pepsi Max – 'Everything Else Can Wait'
Concept: Pepsi Max’s Christmas campaign inspires viewers to set aside their to-do lists and embrace the joy of the holiday season. The story highlights people prioritizing fun, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones over the usual festive rush.
Message: The advert aligns with Pepsi Max’s 'thirsty for more' ethos, encouraging audiences to savor the moment and make the most of the holiday spirit.
Tagline: "Everything else Can Wait"
Design: The visuals feature festive scenes of carefree celebration, humor, and camaraderie, complemented by a vibrant remix of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
4. Olipop - “A New Kind of Holiday Cheer”
Concept: Olipop's first-ever holiday campaign introduces two lovable yetis, "OLI" and "POP," in a 30-second stop-motion animated film inspired by classic holiday specials. The story follows the yetis as they try to spread holiday cheer, overcoming initial misunderstandings from the townspeople.
Message: The campaign highlights themes of authenticity, kindness, and community spirit, aligning with Olipop's mission to provide a healthier alternative in the soda industry.
Design: The visuals are crafted using stop-motion animation, with whimsical and nostalgic holiday aesthetics, capturing the warmth and charm of traditional festive storytelling.
5. Coca-Cola – 'Holidays Are Coming' (AI-Generated)
Concept: Coca-Cola reimagines its classic "Holidays Are Coming" advertisement using cutting-edge generative AI technology. The ad showcases the iconic Coca-Cola trucks traveling through festive landscapes, creating a sense of holiday nostalgia with a modern twist. This was quite a controversial move for Coca-Cola since people loved the good-old commercial. All we can say is that not everybody loved the “new” commercial.
Message: The campaign bridges tradition and innovation, highlighting Coca-Cola's commitment to evolving while maintaining its role as a timeless symbol of holiday cheer.
Tagline: "Holidays Are Coming" (reinforcing the classic Coca-Cola Christmas spirit).
Design: The visuals feature AI-generated scenes of vibrant, snow-covered landscapes, twinkling lights, and the iconic red Coca-Cola trucks, accompanied by the familiar festive jingle.
Enjoy the Christmas Spirit
As we celebrate the magic of Christmas, these commercials remind us of the values that make the holiday season so special—family, generosity, nostalgia, and togetherness. From the whimsical adventures of Kevin the Carrot to the heartwarming charm of "Sweet Suspicion," these campaigns resonate with audiences by blending creativity with meaningful messages.
Whether it's through festive food, acts of kindness, or a nostalgic nod to tradition, FMCG brands and retailers have truly captured the essence of Christmas in 2024. Here’s to celebrating the holidays with joy, laughter, and a touch of advertising magic!
