This AI made advert is an abomination and a complete desecration of one of the all time favourite Christmas ads. It also sets a worrying precedent if such a major company is using AI for an advert of this scale. Christmas rating: 0 Jingle Bells (lumps of coal for everyone involved). placeholder image
This AI made advert is an abomination and a complete desecration of one of the all time favourite Christmas ads. It also sets a worrying precedent if such a major company is using AI for an advert of this scale. Christmas rating: 0 Jingle Bells (lumps of coal for everyone involved). | Coca-Cola/ YouTube

I survived watching 19 of 2024's Christmas adverts in a row - the best and worst

By Matthew Mohan-Hickson

Senior Reporter

Published 21st Nov 2024, 15:30 BST
Updated 21st Nov 2024, 15:32 BST

This advert is definitely going on the naughty list 🎅

Can you have too much of a good thing? Well, it turns out the answer to this is in fact yes.

Because I sat down and watched every major Christmas advert released in the UK in 2024 all in one go and I think I got a sugar rush of the brain. I felt the same way I do after gorging myself on gingerbread men on December 25 - shame, festive cheer and like I wanted to throw up.

There were plenty of highs - I’ve already spoken of my love for this year’s John Lewis advert and that has not changed in the days since. However there were some really unfortunate lows.

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It is a really strong effort with a great message which dials up the Christmassy-ness by leaning into the festive spirit of giving. In the final moments, viewers are encouraged to give a toy to Lidl’s toy bank to give back this Christmas. My only real complaint is that the advert is a bit too heavy on the narration, it could have had a few moments to breathe to make this a true Christmas cracker. Christmas rating: 4 Jingle Bells.

13. Lidl - A Magical Christmas

It is a really strong effort with a great message which dials up the Christmassy-ness by leaning into the festive spirit of giving. In the final moments, viewers are encouraged to give a toy to Lidl’s toy bank to give back this Christmas. My only real complaint is that the advert is a bit too heavy on the narration, it could have had a few moments to breathe to make this a true Christmas cracker. Christmas rating: 4 Jingle Bells. | Lidl/ YouTube Photo: Lidl/ YouTube

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What a wonderful twist on the Toy Story style tale of toys that have come to life. Focusing on Ray, a toy that has been forgotten after his owner got new ones at Christmas - it is a fun effort. The way he sings ‘It Must Have Been Love’ in a deadpan voice is brilliant. Christmas rating: 4 Jingle Bells.

14. The Entertainer - RAY

What a wonderful twist on the Toy Story style tale of toys that have come to life. Focusing on Ray, a toy that has been forgotten after his owner got new ones at Christmas - it is a fun effort. The way he sings ‘It Must Have Been Love’ in a deadpan voice is brilliant. Christmas rating: 4 Jingle Bells. | The Entertainer/ YouTube Photo: The Entertainer/ YouTube

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Like a slice of Christmas cake and a chunk of cheese, this advert goes down very well. It is funny and memorable. Christmas rating: 4.25 Jingle Bells.

15. Barbour - Shaun the Sheep x Baa-Bour

Like a slice of Christmas cake and a chunk of cheese, this advert goes down very well. It is funny and memorable. Christmas rating: 4.25 Jingle Bells. | Barbour/ YouTube Photo: Barbour/ YouTube

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Christmas is a time for family and this advert really gets it. Fans have hailed this one as ‘really cute’ and I have to agree - I’ve got a lot of time for this advert. Only quibble is perhaps it's a bit scattergun instead of focusing on one family, but that’s a minor complaint. Christmas rating 4.25 Jingle Bells.

16. JD Sports - The Family Portrait

Christmas is a time for family and this advert really gets it. Fans have hailed this one as ‘really cute’ and I have to agree - I’ve got a lot of time for this advert. Only quibble is perhaps it's a bit scattergun instead of focusing on one family, but that’s a minor complaint. Christmas rating 4.25 Jingle Bells. | JD Sports/ YouTube Photo: JD Sports/ YouTube

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