Seasonal Branding & Marketing Trending

Watch these big brand Christmas adverts for festive marketing inspiration

Natasha Ithildin

Want some festive inspiration?

Look no further than this year’s big brand Christmas adverts!

It’s that time of year again when our TVs don their Christmas hats and sing jingle bells on repeat - and we’re not mad about it.

Let’s take a look at the favourite Christmas ads of 2025 to see why they’re so popular, as well as what you can learn from them to inspire your campaigns moving forward.

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9 Christmas ads to inspire your festive marketing campaigns

1) Coca-Cola

If AI celebrated Christmas, this ad would be great.

But, alas, AI doesn’t celebrate Christmas; we do (and, apparently, so do pandas… in the snow).

Coca-Cola might have used fewer people to create their ad in favour of AI, but at least the iconic Big Red Truck lives on - a major part of the ads since 1995.

For many, Christmas hasn’t begun until the familiar chant of “The Holidays are Coming” fills their screens - and even though this year it’s accompanied by very cute (and very AI) fluffy animals, the song still brings that dash of nostalgic magic with it.

When you sip Coca-Cola, you sip Christmas (even if an AI bunny won’t stop staring at you).

Brand takeaways

Nostalgic touchpoints are a win-win.
AI is here to stay.
But don’t forget about creating those human connections.

2) John Lewis

It’s family. It’s Christmas. It’s John Lewis.

John Lewis always pulls out all the stops (and tugs on those heartstrings) with their Christmas ads every year, and this year is no different.

By focusing on a father-son relationship, they explore a more positive alternative to Netflix’s drama Adolescence, which also explored similar themes of masculinity and emotions.

It also stirs up '90s nostalgia, which particularly resonates with a Gen X audience.

By shying away from promoting products and instead focusing on the emotional connections that can grow out of gift giving, the brand shines a light on similar moments many may have had with loved ones, especially teenage sons - magical.

Ah, gifts. We love them.

Brand takeaways

Recreate trending elements (whether that be a show, style, or activity) with your own brand twist.
Emotions resonate, whatever your target audience.
Grounded content makes these emotions even more memorable.

3) Asda

With the cost of living rearing its ugly head again, enjoying a Christmas with all the flourishes might feel more impossible than ever.

Which, unfortunately, means even the most jolliest of people are turning grinchy green.

Christmas is all about family. About having the best time ever, and making happy memories that last - without the fear of how much everything costs.

Asda heard us, and Asda is here to save our *Christmas* days (even if they’re rather fond of the colour green).

Thanks to Asda’s rollback prices and deals galore, Christmas is finally affordable - and the Grinch in your life can finally relax.

Don’t worry - Asda’s got you (and your wallet) covered.

Brand takeaways

Consider your audience’s pain points.
Pivot these to place your brand as the hero.
Iconic, well-known characters build brand rapport.

4) Morrisons

For Morrisons, Christmas isn’t just a day; it takes a whole year in the making. From the farmers, the bakers, to those who deliver our treats - for them, it’s all about community and care.

And you can’t argue - this ad is one of genuine care. Morrisons truly care about your Christmas, even in August.

From Pickle Boy to the harbour boat decked out in fairy lights (and the little old ladies watching it come in), the ad brings the much-loved human element back into the festivities.

Plus, my toddler was a big fan of the Christmas tractor - so, therefore, I am, too.

Brand takeaways

Authentic content is what drives brand/consumer relationships.
Show more of your behind-the-scenes, of what makes your brand so unique (it’s the people).

5) Lidl

Christmas isn’t just about the decorations, the food, or the tree - it’s about the people, and making someone else’s day that little extra special.

They end their ad with a call-to-action to donate to Lidl’s Toy Bank. This is a seasonal campaign they run each year, where shoppers can donate unopened toys and gifts that’ll be delivered to children in your area - no, you’re crying.

Lidl is all about caring for others, whether they be your mum, your nan, or a stranger. That’s why, in their ad, Christmas and charity go hand-in-hand for the ultimate feel-good moment.

Brand takeaways

Shout about your charity efforts
And a social and people element to your campaign, if possible.

6) Aldi

You’ll be happy to hear: Kevin the carrot’s back!

Now an established Christmas favourite, we catch up with Kevin in a multi-series ad that starts with a Love Actually-inspired proposal (with an adorable cauliflower dog), followed by his stag do going a tiny bit ‘pear-shaped’.

This is another perfect example of emotional marketing - with inside jokes and nods to everyone’s hilarious stag do tales, you’ll soon find yourself chuckling along with Kevin’s adventures.

Brand takeaways

Know your audience and what their ‘inside jokes’ are.
A repeatable, lovable mascot makes your brand easier to emotionally connect with.
Storytelling through multiple channels will keep your audience engaged longer.

7) Boots

Puss AND Boots - the perfect pairing!

With an air of whimsy and magical delight, Boots calls for a “Gift Happily Ever After” this Christmas - and it’s an ad that’ll enchant any Christmas princess.

We’re invited to the Snow Queen’s Ball, but before we can attend, Puss needs to find some last-minute gifts - and where better to look than in Boots?

This ad works because we’re told from childhood that a ‘Happy Ever After’ is the ultimate goal - and Boots just helped us reach it through a mix of joy and nostalgia.

“Our campaign, brought to life by Puss and his fairytale friends, reminds everyone that Boots is the destination for finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list.”

Laura Gooday, Director of Marketing at Boots

Brand takeaways

Don’t be afraid to reframe childhood favourites.
Adding humour and a play on words will always get an easy chuckle.
Embracing weirdness is always a good tactic.

8) Barbour

Uniting two British powerhouse brands is always good - especially if one of those brands is Wallace & Gromit.

Need we say more? The ad is full of the usual Wallace antics with his eccentric inventions, throwing us right back into childhood.

The ad, although well done and super subtle, is adorned in tartan - super Barbour-coded.

But, it works - and it works well. Definitely adding a scarf to my Christmas wishlist now.

Brand takeaways

If you have distinctive brand assets - use them!
Balance nostalgia with purpose for a clear CTA.
Collaborate with brands that have the same values as you.

9) Waitrose

Christmas and rom-coms often go hand-in-hand, and Waitrose has leapt headfirst into all the tropes we adore this time of year:

A cheesy meet-cute? Check.
An awkward, but endearing, declaration of love? Check.
Keira Knightley? Check.

And don’t forget the much-loved third wheel in this new mini-romcom: the food.

Waitrose has turned its newest Christmas ad into a mini-cinematic, heartwarming masterpiece, so much so that you almost forget the point of the ad is to sell food.

Almost.

Whether you say, “I love you” with pastry this Christmas or not, we raise a glass to the return of Keira Knightley to our screens for every ad break until the New Year.

Brand takeaways

Getting lost in the storytelling isn’t bad branding; it’s world-building.
Being subtle is key.
Casting celebrities in roles that nod to previous iconic parts will always work well.

Merry inspiration!

For more gifting ideas, why not check out our list of our favourite sustainable gifts? Or, how about adding a little touch of luxury to your next campaign? We’re here to help you spread your brand cheer all through the year, so don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Watch these big brand Christmas adverts for festive marketing inspiration