You know the festive season has officially arrived when Christmas adverts [1] start dropping on TV. If there's anything to make us feel warm inside, it's the emotional rollercoaster of ad breaks come November. No longer do we use the moment to make ourselves a cup of tea, but instead we settle in to watch the two-minute adverts that tug on our heartstrings and make us laugh out loud.
While it's the John Lewis Christmas advert [2] that usually turns us into a bubbling mess thanks its annual heartfelt messaging, other retailers have upped their festive game. Who can forget last year's M&S Christmas food advert, with a cheeky cameo from Tom Holland as Percy pig [3]? Or Aldi's Kevin the Carrot's return [4] each winter?
This year, there's a whole host of sentimental commercials, hilarious characters, and recognisable scenes to get us in the Christmas spirit. From comedy geniuses French & Saunders reunion to Buddy the Elf's supermarket cameo, with a little Harry Styles sprinkling [5] in between, scroll ahead to watch the best Christmas adverts of 2022 so far.
Aldi Christmas Advert 2022: Home Alone
Aldi has brought back Kevin the Carrot for the sixth year in a row, and for 2022 it has taken inspiration from another beloved Christmas film: Home Alone. As Kevin's family all head to Paris for Christmas, he has been left behind. As he settles in to watch the World Cup alone, he spots an intruder trying to get into the house. Just like Kevin in the 1990 film, Kevin the Carrot sets a series of traps to outsmart the stranger. He even tries to become a Snowman's nose (although ends up at a very cheeky spot on the Snowman instead!) He spots Santa outside, and is reunited with his family in time for Christmas Day. A charming advert with a much-loved character.
John Lewis Christmas Advert 2022: The Beginner
The advert opens with a middle-aged man trying to learn skateboarding skills and struggling. Falling off multiple times, aching muscles making it difficult to decorate the Christmas tree, and watching skateboarding tutorials at work are just some of the moments we see as his wife looks on. On first glance, this seems like an odd hobby to suddenly take up, but he seems determined to nail the skill.
All becomes clear at the end of the John Lewis Christmas advert [6] when the couple hear a knock at the door. Standing outside is a social worker and a young girl named Ellie, clutching a skateboard. He has been so focussed on skateboarding so that he has something in common with Ellie, to help her feel welcome in her new foster home. The advert then reads, "Over 108,000 children in the UK are in the care system. We're making a long-term commitment to support the futures of young people from care." Blink 182's "All the Small Things", sun by Mike Geier, makes this another tear-jerker from the retailer.
JD Sports Christmas Advert 2022: King of the Game
JD Sports is perhaps the most star-studded advert of the year so far, combining British youth stars from the worlds of sport, entertainment, and music. Beginning in a regular shopping mall, Cole is Christmas shopping with his family but bored . . . until he spots TV presenter, Chunkz pointing to the JD Arcade. As he enters the arcade and walks past dance machines, air hockey tables, and claw machines he spots artists such as KSI, Kojey Radical, and Bugzy Malone; YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg; boxer Anthony Joshua; Lionesses Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly; and footballers Virgil van Dijk, Thiago Silva, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. As he's asked to get involved in a game, Cole is suddenly back out in the mall and, instead of carrying a ball to get involved, he is carrying a turkey and simply says, "I'm ready".
Asda Christmas Advert 2022: Have Your Elf a Merry Christmas
"Have your Elf a Merry Christmas" is Asda's tagline, and we have to say, the supermarket giant has outdone itself with this year's advert, with a little help from our favourite 2003 Christmas film [7]. Yes, Buddy the Elf is back, this time as Asda's newest recruit. As Buddy takes on a trial shift, chaos ensues as he eats the maple pigs in blankets, distracts shoppers, and sings on the Tannoy system. However, with footage licensed from Warner Bros., Buddy's passion for Christmas wins as he decorates the Asda store and is told he can stay in the job. "Son of a nutcracker" . . . this could be a contender for top Christmas advert 2022.
Boots Christmas Advert 2022: Joy For All
Starring "It's a Sin"'s Lydia West, Boots Christmas advert is as uplifting as ever. When West is left with a pair of magical glasses on the bus, she is able to see what brings people joy when she puts them on. As such, she is able to find the perfect Christmas presents for her friends and family. The commercial is all played out to the sound of Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams", which will have you toe-tapping along in no time.
Sainsbury's Christmas Advert 2022: Once Upon a Pud
TV legend Alison Hammond is at the centre of Sainsbury's Christmas advert 2022 as she stars as the Countess who is expecting the best for her Christmas feast. When she is presented with mouth-watering items from the Taste the Difference range, she is appalled when shown a Christmas pudding, declaring she does't like the traditional dessert. The servant's life hangs in the balance as he has to come up with an alternative sweet treat. At the feast, he presents yet another Christmas pudding amidst gasps from the guests. But this one comes with caramelised biscuit and the Countess (aka Hammond) declares it delicious. Cue: her infectious laugh that immediately has us smiling. Set to a medieval rendition of "Teenage Dirtbag", this one is giving us serious "Bridgerton [8]" vibes.
Lidl Christmas Advert 2022: The Story of Lidl Bear
Lidl's Christmas advert 2022 pokes fun at the festive advert phenomenom, and we love that it doesn't take itself too seriously. When a little girl dresses her adorable teddy bear in a shrunken Lidl jumper, the teddy becomes the unofficial Christmas mascot. However, fame soon goes to Teddy's head as he forgets his owner in favour of a life on private jets and red carpets. All the little girl wants is to get her bear back. Lo and behold! He returns on Christmas morning ready for a cuddle.
M&S Food Christmas Advert 2022
After last year introduced us to Fairy, voiced by Dawn French, we are thrilled to see her return this year. As she's looking for a new sidekick, Fairy shuns the other baubles on the tree and instead befriends Duckie, the dog toy. Voiced by French's real-life comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders, the pair become friends and decide to celebrate Christmas together . . . on the sideboard away from the dog. Plus, there's mouth-watering Christmas food on display that has got us drooling.
M&S Gifting Christmas Advert 2022: Gifts That Give
It's not just any Christmas advert, it's an M&S Harry Styles Christmas advert! The high street stalwart has enlisted the help of 2022's standout star for its festive ad. As we watch people opening their gifts on Christmas morning, they are all drawn outside to the street to meet community groups dancing, singing, and playing to the tune of Styles's "Treat People with Kindness". Each of these local clubs will receive funding from M&S, who has partnered with Neighourly to donate £1 million to 1000 community groups and worthy causes across the country.
Disney Christmas Advert 2022: The Gift
"Encanto"'s Jessica Darrow, who voices Luisa Madrigal in the film, sings the song to accompany Disney's adorable Christmas advert. It depicts a little girl who has a Mickey Mouse toy for comfort in the dark. As she prepares for Christmas with her family, she feels pushed aside as her pregnant mum seems to focus on the impending baby; she is unable to ice skate with her, knocks an ornament from the tree, and accidentally breaks a decoration. Yet, when the baby is born and returns home, the little girl gifts the new addition with her beloved Mickey. It's an emotional, animated advert full of love.
Morrisons Christmas Advert 2022: Farmer Christmas
Morrisons has brought Farmer Christmas back for a second year as the supermarket aims to highlight the great quality of its food. Farmer Christmas takes us to the workshop where the elves are preparing a festive feast, many of whom are real Morrisons colleagues. As we see puff pastry mince pies, smoked Scottish salmon and a glazed gammon joint, we follow Farmer Christmas as he delivers the goods to a family and then invites himself to eat with them.