The Christmas Advert- 2012

It's the middle of November and of course that means Christmas adverts are on our television screens. Like hanging stockings and mince pies, some yuletide adverts have become part of the Christmas tradition,  with many Facebook statuses and tweets suggesting that as soon as you see the Coca-cola Christmas advert the festive season has arrived. Here is my guide to 2012's Christmas adverts and some of the best ever made.

John Lewis

These are perhaps the most talked about Christmas adverts of the last few years. Created by Adam and Eve, these big budget cinematic commercials are accompanied with song, often a popular song covered in a different style. Past songs include, Ellie Goulding singing 'Your Song' and Slow Moving Millie singing The Smith's, 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want'. The 2012 advert called 'The Journey' sees a story of a snowman embarking on a trip to find the perfect gift for his female companion. This sweet story includes Gabrielle Aplin putting a folk twist on the 1980's classic, " The Power of Love". Entirely shot in New Zealand, this £6 million production is what everyone expects with a John Lewis Christmas advert, it's schmaltzy, sentimental and for many it gives you that Christmassy feeling.

Marks and Spencers

The staple store of the British High Street has always gone for the glitzy and glamourous. Celebrities adorned the screen highlighting everything we love about Christmas. Take the 2009 advert which included, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, James Nesbitt, Myleene Klass, Wallace and Gromit, Twiggy, Phillip Glenister. The 2010 advert included Peter Kay, Jamie Redknapp and Danni Minogue whereas last years advert featured the 2011 X Factor contestants. Nonetheless, the 2012 advert doesn't include any celebs, in fact I'd argue it is not actually that festive apart from the start. The advert begins with the iconic Christmas song, 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' but that then ends and the advert quite simply sees lots of scenes of people moving to different party songs with a background that suggests it could be any time of the year. Overall an underwhelming effort by Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe that just doesn't feel like a Christmas advert at all.

Coca-Cola

For many this is the ultimate Christmas advert. The advert that suggests Christmas is here. The most iconic perhaps? It has always got to have two elements, number one: illuminated lorries and number two:  the tune:

"Holidays are comin', holidays are comin..."

Iceland

Iceland adverts are arguably the cheesiest on television. They conjure up memories/nightmares of Kerry Katona and Stacey Solomon suggesting that prawn rings and frozen vol-au-vents are the new must have 'treats' at Christmas parties. Nevertheless, the festive advert this season doesn't involve any corny celebrity endorsements but a young girl wandering through a snowy forest. The 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' song, 'Pure Imagination' provides a nice accompaniment to create a solid Christmas advert.  

Waitrose

Picture the scene, a empty soulless TV studio and standing in the middle, Heston and Delia. Got it? Sounds so christmassy doesn't it? Obviously not but Waitrose's intentions are good yet the advert isn't. The focus this year is on Waitrose not spending money on a flashy festive advert but investing it in a their 'community matters' scheme. It's a nice idea but isn't the most eye-catching of adverts and it will be interesting to see whether the gamble pays off.

ASDA

The ASDA advert has come in for some criticism with people taking to Twitter to suggest it's actually sexist. The commercial shows a mum who is working hard to try and get everything ready for Christmas. Each scene sees something go wrong but in the end her hard work pays off and all the family is shown having a lovely time. It's predictable but fun and certainly not worth getting in a huff about.

Go Compare

Even Go Compare have their own Christmas advert this year. It includes Louis Spence and the Go Compare man...the less said the better.

Here are some other classic Christmas ads from years gone by:

John Lewis (2011)- 'For the gift you can't wait to give' 

Guinness (2006)

Irn Bru (2006)

Marks & Spencer (2009)

What's you favourite Christmas advert? Feel free to comment below.

Plus, my next post will look at the best Christmas films, make sure you check back soon.