It’s that magical time of year again when all of your favourite brands release their annual Christmas advertisements marking the unofficial beginning of the seasonal festivities. With the advertising market set to see an £814m boost this holiday season compared with last year’s Q4, the holiday advertising competition is fierce. Set to jingling soundtracks, tear jerking tales, and festive brand mascots every brand is vying to capture the spirit of the holidays.
Whether you love the storytelling, celebrity cameos, or simply the festive feelings this A-Z guide rounds up every Christmas ad of 2025 so far.
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Aldi: The Return of Kevin the Carrot Part 1: What’s on the cards for Kevin the Carrot this Christmas?
Kevin the Carrot returns yet again, celebrating his 10th anniversary as the supermarket’s brand mascot. This festive season, he is finally popping the big question to his longtime love interest, Katie the Carrot and fans are in absolute frenzy.
Created with McCann Manchester, the three-part carrot narrative channels festive rom-com classic Love Actually for the first instalment of the ad series. Alongside his cauliflower dog, Kevin debuts cue cards that pay amusing tribute to Andrew Lincoln’s performance in the holiday classic, revealing the big question, “To me, you are 24 Carat. Marry Christmas?”
Leaving viewers on a cliffhanger that anticipates the next part that will follow in their Kevin the Carrot festive series. Aldi isn’t just stopping there; the Christmas ad is closely followed by a “breaking news” partnership with ITV and Scarlett Moffat, as well as branded collaborations with Magic Radio and TikTok.
Amazon: Joy Ride
This year, Amazon is pulling out a seasonal favourite by bringing back its 2023 festive smash hit. You may remember the three sledging grannies from two Christmases ago who wistfully watched children sledging in the snow.
The women were brought together by an Amazon cushion, enabling them to all sledge together in the heartwarming yet humorous fan favourite. The spot proved to be one of the brand’s strongest festive offerings, so pulling this article from the archives was a smart and strategic decision from the brand.
Argos: Thought We Were Just For Toys
With the return of brand mascots Connie and Trevor accompanied by comedian Simon Bird the retailers 2025 ad is a bid to remind customers that they don’t just sell toys. Directed by David Kerr and developed by The&Partnership the christmas spot adds to Sainsbury’s push to grow Argos as a destination for general merchandise within the group.
The ad begins with Bird’s character rushing to finish his Christmas shopping when he claims on the phone that Argos is “only good for toys.” Connie and Trevor appear in his rear view mirror to whisk him to an Argos warehouse filled with premium gifts. From tech to homewear the ad showcases Argos’s wide range of products not just toys for this festive season.
ASDA: A Very Merry Grinchmas
Asda’s Christmas campaign created by Lucky Generals features a familiar festive favourite, the Grinch with the message behind the short that the supermarket can convince “even the biggest Christmas cynic with its outstanding product range and Asda prices.”
To the tune of ‘Let it Snow’, the grinch is revealed as he moans at “frightful” prices and “spenny gifts.” He is distracted by the green glow of the Asda sign as he walks the aisles with his human family filling his trolley with Asda’s poplar holiday products such as chicken sticky skewers and Grinch pyjamas.
The ad ends with the Grinch hosting a Christmas celebration with his new found Asda treats, with the final reveal of the short being the Grinches transformation back into his “dad” self.
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Barbour: Barbour x Wallace & Gromit
Burberry: ‘Twas The Knight Before…
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Madden, best known for ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,’ the campaign opens in a cosy London townhouse, immediately setting the tone of intimacy and festivity. Amongst the commotion of party preparations Julie Saunders introduces an all-star cast from all aspects of film, fashion, and sport: Naomi Campbell, Ncuti Gatwa, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Son Heung-min.
The star studded cast arrive one by one turning the party preparations into a playful portrait of gift giving, excitement and Burberry outerwear. The cast showcases this seasons Burberry outerwear, with heritage icons reimagined through modern silhouettes and detail such as the Harrogate duffle coat and Fitzrovia trench.
Boots: Gift Happily Ever After
Boots are leaning into fairytales this holiday season by reimagining the classic tale Puss in Boots for the modern consumer. Directed by RASCAL, the ad follows feline protagonist Puss who has the challenge of buying gifts ahead of the Snow Queen’s Ball.
Turning to his trusty mirror, Puss is sent on a journey from fairytale land to a bustling UK high street on a quest to find the perfect gifts for his friends. A fierce gust of wind knocks Puss’s beloved hat off his head to land him right outside of a shining Boots store. Where inside he finds all of the perfect gifts for his friends from a Shark airstyler for Rapunz to a No7 Cordless mirror for Prince Charming.
In the humorous yet heartwarming end to the ad Puss presents The Snow Queen with an extra special gift of hand warmers, showcasing Boot’s thoughtful touches for everyone this Christmas season.
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Coca Cola: Holidays Are Coming
Despite the backlash The Coca Cola Company received for their AI remake of its 1995 “Holidays Are Coming” ad last year the brand have brought back the use of AI for their 2025 ad.
Returning with an even more ambitious AI remake by Secret Level and Silverside AI, the campaign features two distinct versions, including an exclusive edition entirely for the U.S market. Blending nostalgia with next generation creativity the AI revamp of ‘The Holidays Are Coming’ short continues to evolve Coca Cola’s sory while keeping its festive spirit and legacy alive.
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Debenhams: Christmas Delivered
Debenham’s 2025 festive ad bursts into screens with a star studded cast of sport and entertainment icons including Olivia Attwood, Peter Crouch, and Judi Love. Created and produced by independent creative agency, Exposure, the cast leads a grand street parade transforming everyday suburban scenes into a festival of shopping delight.
The new ad frames Debenhams as the go to store destination for all things festive and glamourous, from fashion and beauty through to homeware.
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GAP: Give Your Gift
Building on the momentum from Gap’s previous 2024 holiday campaign, ‘Give Your Gift’ celebrates how sharing our unique gifts makes us stronger together. Through a soulful reinterpretation of Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Climb’ by rising artist Sienna Sprio the campaign pairs soulful storytelling with the brand’s most-loved essentials.
The rising star is accompanied by a multigenerational choir from ages 8 to 72, turning a powerful yet nostalgic song into a collective message of strength and connection. Created by Invisible Dynamics and produced by Invisble Productions the holiday campaign continues Gap’s strategy of harnessing its classic Gap nostalgia with a modern day edge, reviving its famous formats from the 1990s and early 2000s, while collaboration with stars who appeal to various age groups.
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John Lewis: Where Love Lives
In true John Lewis style, the brand has launched another heartwarming Christmas short with the message ‘If you can’t find the words, find the gift.’
To the soundtrack of 90s dance icon Alison Limerick’s ‘Where Love Lives’, the short showcases a father-son relationship rebonded by the power of a vinyl record gift. The viewer is taken on a journey through the years as the father is transported back to his 90s clubbing days until he is transported back in time to when his son was a toddler and then a newborn baby cradled in his arms. The son catches his father enjoying his new vinyl gift as the pair share an embrace in the tearjerking finale, as a reimagined version of the dance anthem plays by globally acclaimed artist Labrinth.
JD Sports: Where Are You Going?
Shot exclusively by young people across the world on mobile phones, with no sets, no lighting crews, just 286 people told to capture the moment prompted by the question, ‘Where are you going?’ Created by Uncommon Creative Studio, the self-directed films capture the moments that matter, showcasing young people as well as some of JD’s brand ambassadors, such as Cole Plamer and Jade Thirwall. However, these films show an up close and personal side to these familiar faces, whether it be Paddy the Baddy swapping the ring for the gym. Or Stillryan stepping out on the streets.
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Lidl: More To Value This Christmas
Lidl are giving back to the community with their 2025 Christmas short by reviving their Christmas Toy Banks, which collect unopened toys and gifts to be donated to local communities. Since its launch, the Toy Bank service has seen over 250,000 gifts donated, showing the effect of giving back to local communities. Created by Studio Canal agency, the ad centres on the journey of a little girl to find out why we love Christmas so much. In the heartwarming end, she discovers that the real joy of the season is giving and spending time with loved ones.
LEGO: If it’s Play You’re Looking For? Look no further..
The Lego Group’s 2025 holiday campaign channels Lionel Richie to deliver a timely message about the value of real-world play in an increasingly digital age. Produced by in-house agency Our Lego Agency, the 90-second short follows 12-year-old Eddie, who’s lost touch with his imagination. Preferring to play on screens over spending time with his family, Eddie seems detached from his family this Christmas. Until his sister steps in with an intervention.
All it takes is the snap of a Lego brick for Lego’s tuxedoed Cataclaws to come to life, leading an array of Lego heroes on a mission to get Eddie off his screen, reminding him of the fun of play. To the soundtrack of Lionel Richie’s 1984 power ballad, Hello, rewritten for the Lego Holiday Choir (a diverse array of Lego minifigures), the song includes sly nods to parents and children alike who love Lego, such as, ‘In my dreams you stepped on me a thousand times!’ The holiday spot encourages kids and parents to step away from screens and rediscover hands-on play and creativity through the power of Lego.
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M&S Food: Traffic Jamming
M&S are showcasing one of the season’s most frustrating moments, the traffic jam, and turning it into a joyful celebration of festive food. Opening on a dark December night as cars sit in an endless queue of traffic, Dawn French returns to viewers’ screens as the beloved Christmas fairy.
Despite trying to maintain her calm, French decides she has had enough and, with a flick of her wand, the motorway is filled with Christmas cheer. The real treat comes when an M&S food van delivers tables of delicious treats as stranded drivers leave their cars to turn the traffic jam into a festive street party. Created in-house, the ad also features a cameo from none other than chef Tom Kerridge, whose creations take centre stage throughout the short.
Morrisons: A Year In The Making
In Morrisons’ festive spot created by creative agency Leo UK, Christmas is seen through the eyes of the farmers, food makers, and colleagues who make Morrisons’ food so special. Directed by Aaron Stoller, the filmmaker behind Super Bowl campaigns for the NFL and Call of Duty, the ad celebrates the hidden figures behind the fresh food business who prepare year-round for Christmas dinners and festive moments. Opening in the middle of August to a farmer shouting “Merry Christmas” to a bemused dog walker before cutting to a shot of a Morrisons bakery decorated in fairy lights in the middle of summer. The ad continues to travel the UK to show Morrison’s foodmakers throughout the year, working towards the holiday season. The short concludes with Santa Claus knocking at a front door before revealing a Morrison’s delivery driver who exclaims, “At Morrisons, we’ve been growing, making, baking and crafting all year long.”
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Sainsbury’s: The Unexpected Guest
Following the success of the BFG’s partnership last Christmas with the supermarket chain, the 2025 instalment sees the loveable giant partner with a new set of Sainsbury’s employees. The ad opens with the BFG’s new sidekick, Annie, as she is delivering Christmas food to Sainsbury’s customers when an unexpected giant visitor begins stealing all of the customers’ Christmas food. The BFG and Sainsbury’s team help to catch the giant and restore all the festive food to Sainsbury’s customers, with the ad closing on a heartwarming note as the BFG is invited to Christmas dinner as he is reminded that room can always be made for everyone at Christmas.
The giant partnership also features BFG-inspired festive treats, such as a Sir Quentin Blake-illustrated book tin with mini chocolate chip cookies and Snozzcumber (apple and lime) sweets.
Shelter: Christmas Appeal
This festive period, Shelter is bringing to the forefront of the media the temporary accommodation crisis, set to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. Created by agency Don’t Panic, the 60-second film shows a young boy singing the ballad at school and on his way back home. He then returns home to find his mother on the phone, trying to get through to the accommodation service as the song plays while the line holds and the message flashes on screen, ‘No family should face homelessness alone.’ Director Michael Gracey, who is most renowned for his work on the Musical The Greatest Showman, claimed that having the boy sing acapella rather than using a soundtrack would make the ad stand out from other festive ads over the period. Shelter estimates that this year, a total of 84,240 families in England will wake up on Christmas Day in insecure temporary accommodation, with the short calling on the public to donate.
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Starbucks: Share A Cup of Cheer
Starbucks is ushering in the festive period with its ‘Share a Cup of Cheer’ Christmas campaign. Celebrating all of your festive favourites, new and old, returning for the holiday period. Set to the track of The Proclaimers 500 Miles, the 15-second clip shows cartoon ice skaters dancing around Starbucks’ holiday drinks, such as the caramel Brulee latte, Peppermint Mocha, or Iced Gingerbread Chai. The seasonal campaign was created by Stagwell Creative Agency, showcasing Starbucks’ new holiday cups.
Smyths Toys: The Scent of Christmas
Smyths Toys 2025 Christmas campaign brings festive curiosity to life through little boy Sam, who is on a mission to uncover the secret behind a mysterious gift with his name on it. Alongside his dog, he follows a trail of imagination and clues from the Smyths Toys catalogue all the way to a Smyths Toys Superstore. There, he finds the answers to his mission, a surprise waiting for him: Toothless, the iconic dragon from How to Train Your Dragon. The short delivers a playful celebration of Christmas Joy and the wonder of finding the perfect toy.
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The Perfume Shop:
