John Lewis has finally dropped its Christmas advert for 2023 and it does not disappoint.
Take a look here:
The UK department store has yet again tugged at the heartstrings with their tearjerking TV ad.
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I mean can you even call it an advert? A PG-drama is probably more appropriate.
But first thing's first, the choice of song is ‘Festa’ – which means celebration – by Italian electro-pop duo Le Feste Antonacci and performed by Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli.
Titled ‘Snapper, The Perfect Tree’, the highly-anticipated advert follows a young lad whose grow-your-own Christmas tree kit turns out to be a mischievous Venus flytrap.
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The boy who picked up the plant at a local market did so while thinking he is about to grow the perfect Christmas tree.
The emotional moment comes when poor Snapper is cast out into the cold to make way for a traditional tree.
However, towards the end of the video, the youngster decided to involve the outcast in the Xmas celebrations and the ad ends with the strapline ‘Let your traditions grow’.
John Lewis notes that the soundtrack for the ad will be released in longer form as a charity single, with a proportion of the proceeds going to the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures charities, which help young people with experience of the care system and families in need.
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Bocelli said: “I am delighted to take part in this wonderful and unique tradition of Christmas storytelling.
“It is very special for me given the great support this will bring to both the John Lewis and Andrea Bocelli foundations. Joy to all of your worlds this Christmas!”
John Lewis customer director Charlotte Lock explained: “We are a nation that loves the traditions of Christmas – from classic traditions like pantos and putting up the tree to evolving new ones like crafting our own presents and Zoom get-togethers.
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“Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special.
“The film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions, and shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.”
Sarah Jenkins, managing director at Saatchi & Saatchi, added: “It’s an extraordinary privilege to be working with the John Lewis Partnership, and it’s particularly magical to be launching a campaign that celebrates all of the traditions – both eternal and evolving – that make Christmas so special to the nation.
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“The race to be the number one Christmas ad brings extra festive spice and is such a brilliant embodiment of the skills and smarts of the UK’s incredible creative industries. We’re raising a glass to all.”
If you just can't get enough of Snapper, you can catch the Venus flytrap at the Christmas at Kew light trail too.
John Lewis is also allowing people to invite the plant into their own homes from December with an AR filter.
Anish Vij