With Christmas just weeks away, the UK's biggest retailers have been revealing their festive adverts for this year.
As John Lewis release their hotly anticipated 2022 advert, which they hope will raise awareness and promote conversation over children and young people in care, a string of other companies including Sainsburys, ASDA, Aldi and many more have unveiled their festive offerings. Some feature iconic Christmas character cameos whilst others have celebrity stars.
With the much-loved retailer putting out a very different advert to what we're used to, we take a look at all the Christmas adverts for 2022, starting with John Lewis' advert titled The Beginner, which follows the story of a middle aged man learning to skateboard.
John Lewis
A hotly anticipated time, every year, John Lewis have today unveiled their Christmas advert for 2022.
In the past, their big budget adverts have been a talking point for all their glitz and glam - but this year, bosses are hoping those watching will be talking - but for a very different reason. The 2022 advert wants to raise awareness of the 100,000 of children and young people in care, as they make a commitment to raising awareness of those in care.
The advert follows the story of a middle-aged man who is trying to learn to skateboard. In 'The Beginner', the man is shown failing with his skateboard multiple times but he keeps trying and trying again. Whilst it may seem unclear initially why he's so determined to learn, all is revealed at the end of the advert, when a young teenager called Ellie knocks on the door alongside a social worker.
Skateboard in hand, Ellie seems nervous to enter her new foster home as the family welcome her in. The advert is hoping to raise awareness of the care system and the children and young people who are a part of it.
ASDA
A huge hit with shoppers already, ASDA's Christmas advert for 2022 features an appearance from none other than Buddy the Elf. Played by Will Ferrell, Buddy causes 'wonderous chaos' for the supermarket in this year's festive offering.
The advert opens with a nod to the "street crossing" screen from the film – except this time, Buddy almost gets knocked over by Asda shopping trolleys, instead of a New York City cab. On a trial shift, Buddy is quick to cause chaos as he gets stuck in. He's busy marvelling at mince pies, eating all the pigs in blankets samples, distracting colleagues and singing loudly on the store tannoy.
Unsure if he'll get the job after his antics, Buddy manages to turn it all around with his bosses and he decides to deck out the entire shop floor in fairy lights and festive decorations - securing him the job.
The 90-second clip uses original footage from Elf so it looks like Buddy is actually inside an Asda store.
Sainsbury's
Following on from the star in ASDA's Christmas advert is Sainsbury's - which also has a very famous face.
This Morning star Alison Hammond fronts the festive campaign for the supermarket and is a medieval version of Teenage Dirtbag. Alison stars as The Countess in the film in which viewers find themselves transported into an imaginary medieval world.
As her royal subjects bring an array of deserts, Alison looks regal as she dismisses what she's given "I've never really liked Christmas pudding - bring me something different - or else," she warns.
A young cook unveils another Christmas pudding - caramelised biscuit flavour - and it's a result, she loves it! Speaking about her role in the advert, Alison said: "I absolutely loved playing The Countess in this year’s Sainsbury’s Christmas advert. It got me feeling all festive and was such a laugh! The Taste the Difference Caramelised Biscuit Christmas Pudding was absolutely a bit of me and will definitely make an appearance on our table this year. Just not sure if I can wait until Christmas day to try it again!"
LIDL
Lidl's Christmas advert has everyone saying the same thing - we want to buy the teddy that features in the ad.
It follows the story of the Lidl bear, which ends up getting separated from his owner after reaching dizzying heights of stardom. Thankfully, Lidl Bear and the little girl are reunited once more on Christmas Day, much to their mutual delight. Whilst viewers loved the advert, they were very disappointed to find out they couldn't purchase the bear themselves.
A Lidl spokesperson later confirmed why Lidl weren't selling the bear, and what they were doing instead: "There's only one Lidl Bear and it's gone back to its family for Christmas. But we want to ensure everyone can have a toy or bear to hug, so join us in donating something to Lidl Bear's Toy Bank. Look out for the Christmas jumper (human size) which will be available soon!"
Tesco
Tesco's festive advert makes a nod to the cost of living crisis, but urges people to stand for joy. It features a broadcast from 'The Christmas Party' as it tells shoppers to #StandForJoy while acknowledging many are facing a squeeze on their finances.
The advert opens up with a snowy landscape of Britain, with the narrator stating that Tesco has formed ‘The Christmas Party’ as families across the UK can be seen celebrating the best food the season has to offer, including mince pies, pigs in blankets, desserts and of course, cheese boards, to mark the festive occasion.
Set to the soundtrack of Europe's The Final Countdown, the advert also addresses some of the big Christmas questions - including when is bin day and what is the greatest Christmas film - with the campaign featuring Tesco employees from around the country.
Boots
Beauty retailer Boots' Christmas advert also has a famous face - It's A Sin's Lydia West - as she embarks on a magical quest to find the perfect gift. The special advert, with a soundtrack of 'You Make My Dreams (Come True)' by Hall & Oates, tells the story of Holly who finds a pair of magical spectacles on the bus, allowing her to see what brings people joy whenever she wears them.
The special spectacles are able to help Holly make Christmas truly magical for her friends and family, with her being able to bring joy to everyone with the perfect present. It includes a whole host of gifts, including for the colleague who loves indulging in bubble baths, her cousin who dreams of being a Drag star or Holly’s Dad, who finds joy in his beloved pet dog.
Speaking about starring in her first Christmas campaign, Lydia said: "It's my favourite time of year and like Holly, I enjoy the feeling of picking a present for someone that I know they are going to love. My time on set filming the Boots campaign got me feeling festive and excited to think about what is going to make my own friends and family smile with joy on Christmas morning."
Aldi
Finally, Aldi have also released their special Christmas advert - as Kevin the Carrot is isolated from his family after missing their flight to Paris. The advert begins where the teaser left off, with Katie, Baby, Jasper and Chantenay all hurrying through a busy airport as they race to catch a flight to Paris - but not before one of the kids stops to make a donation to charity.
As Katie wonders what to do, Kevin enjoys the big game from home - before an intruder comes by. But who is the intruder, and what do they want from Kevin?
Adam Zavalis, Marketing Director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas celebrates the joy of being with loved ones and this year more than ever we all need a bit of light entertainment as we celebrate the season together.
"And it wouldn’t be the festive season without Kevin the Carrot on our TV screens, and this year’s Yuletide performance is sure to get the nation shouting ‘KEVIN!’ as we welcome him back for the seventh year."
