The Best Marketing Adverts for Christmas 2023

Christmas commercials that’ll make customers’ hearts sing

‘Tis the season for big budget commercials, because nothing says Christmas like Asda supermarket staff discovering Michael Bublé in a converted customer restroom. Or is it the manager’s office? It’s hard to tell. Anyway, back to business.

The marketing departments of major and minor brands have been working up an enormous sweat for months to deliver a festive platter of cheer to your TVs. The mustard MD team has been riding the Wi-Fi waves to find the best marketing adverts and Christmas commercials that’ll make customers’ hearts sing during Yuletide 2023.

The creatives have been out in force, so look out for top-of-the-class animation, genuinely funny scripts, and headline talent including, of course, the real star of Christmas, Mr Santa Claus.

 Coca Cola’s The World Needs More Santas

First up is the company that moulded the image of the father of Christmas we fell in love with. As practically an institution worldwide, Coca Cola always pulls out all the stops, with 2023’s commercial being no exception. It goes by the name of The World Needs More Santas, and while there’s a clue in there, we’re only giving away one spoiler – have a good look at the special effects which bring a Manhattan subway train full of Santas to your TV screen. Heartwarming with a Zen-like feel to the quality script, our hats go off to Coca Cola for yet another gem.

M&S Christmas Food, courtesy of Tinseltown

It’s not often that people in the US would seek out the M&S Christmas food ad, but this year things may well be different thanks to the phenomenal success of Welcome to Wrexham. The docu-show, which shadows the underdog Welsh football club as it rises from the ashes, has attracted a massive Stateside fanbase. In August it was the most popular documentary series, while audience demand ranked 12.3 times higher than the average show in the United States – and it had quite a lot to do with the club’s owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. In case you haven’t guessed the connection yet, wake up sleepy head – the company bagged a beauty in snapping up the two Hollywood stars to voice its animated offering, and how much do you bet that’s down to the M&S sponsorship deal with Wrexham AFC? How other retailers missed out on this major marketing opportunity, we’ll never understand, but as M&S proved, you need to shop early to avoid disappointment! One of Blighty’s national treasures Dawn French stars as the fairy, by the way.

Shaun the Sheep for Barbour

Shaun the Sheep is this year’s spokesperson for international superbrand Barbour. He may not be in the same celebrity league as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but as you’ll see, he knows his way around a wax jacket. And as far as Barbour’s concerned, that’s star quality. Aardman Animation did all the hard work for Barbour, and created a few minutes of magic that’ll stick like glue to customers’ hearts and shopping lists.

Amazon’s Joy Ride

Amazon is a relative newcomer to the tugging-at-the-heartstrings game, but they’ve taken off at 500mph. Whoever’s in charge of marketing gets the trophy for commissioning a silent script that speaks so much louder than words. No A-listers necessary for this Christmastime gem.

TK Maxx

TK Maxx is, of course, US super-brand TJ Maxx’s British first cousin. As such, the retail giant has given its UK arm a Christmas ad all of its own. There are more great special effects and digital animation on display, with a simple storyline inspired by life on the farm. Again, no A-listers in sight, but who needs them when you can make everyone in the room smile AND get your brand’s message across with a rocket attached to it? Job done!

John Lewis – Snapper: The Perfect Tree

John Lewis has been the undisputed champion of the Christmas ads competition since… well, it seems like forever (2007, to be precise). Often studies in flawless animation, and paired with striking soundtracks by the likes of Elton John, Lily Allen and Celeste, every year seems to hit the bullseye. The first 30 seconds of 2023’s offering promises to put tears in your eyes, but then takes a unique twist. No spoilers from us, but watch out for more brilliant special effects. Plus, of course, another John Lewis coup in roping in Andrea Bocelli to blast out Festa for an upbeat ending with a great animated punchline.

Have any of these Christmas commercials given you marketing fever?

Do you have a strong feeling that you could grab John Lewis’s attention for their 2024 offering? Good! And, by the way, we need to talk. The mustard MD team is regularly asked to recruit for the cream of creative marketing jobs. We will find you the career or employee of your dreams, so call us on our hotline now. The number to dial is 0117 929 6060.