Christmas Adverts

Despite it only being November, all around the country shops are covered in cheap tinsel and lights, blasting out cheesey Christmas music. As well as the shop decorations, TV sets everywhere are being bombarded with ad after ad offering deals for Christmas while trying to win over the viewers and coerse them into their shops.

After doing a bit of research and looking at feedback, I have picked what I believe to be the most and least popular Christmas adverts so far. Of course this is only my personal opinion on what I have read, and not having a TV licence or TV myself I couldn't tell you which was the best as I don't have the opportunity to watch so many adverts I turn into a drooling Christmas zombie.

Anyway, we'll start with the least popular so this blog entry can end on a high -


Littlewoods

Littlewoods advert is extremely simple; a Christmas play performed by youngsters, except the theme this year is all about how the kid's parents have bought some amazing presents and been able to pay for them cheaply and easily.
Now, call me weird, but I vaguely remember my Christmas plays involving Jesus. But then again, as I'm constantly reminded, it was a while since I was in primary school doing Christmas plays so who knows what it's like now!
Now poor old Littlewoods can't seem to get anything right, because not only have they made an advert that is more likely make their customers egg their shops than buy from them, the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) have received over 450 complaints claiming that "the ad ruins the tradition that Santa Claus brings presents by revealing that mothers do all the shopping", as reported in The Guardian.
If you're interested in reading more into how Littlewoods have offended people, I'd suggest jumping over to The Guardian article and have a gander.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/25/littlewoods-christmas-ad-complaints?newsfeed=true


John Lewis

Okay, so now we move on to what I believe is the most popular of the Christmas ads this year. John Lewis. It's safe to say they've outdone themselves, tugging on the nation's heartstrings and squeezing tears out of every parent in the country. (Although part of me wonders whether the parents will love this advert as much when they realise their child doesn't care about giving presents and throws a tantrum when they don't get what they want!).
Interestingly, despite the fact this advert has been well received, the advert did receive some strong words of criticism from the usually positive, optimistic, ray of sunshine Charlie Brooker. He blogged, and I quote, "Anyone who cries at this creepy bulls**t is literally sobbing IQ points out of their body.".
Despite this I'm quite confident in saying that the John Lewis advert seems to be the most well received Christmas advert this year.

I'll also throw a link to Charlie Brooker's post as he reviews a few other ads from this year just as positively as John Lewis - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/20/christmas-adverts-john-lewis - Enjoy!