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Original poster

To not like the John Lewis christmas ad this year

170 replies

MumOfOneAllAlone · 14/11/2024 10:39

Another light hearted one from me 🤭

I like the fact that it's all women but it isn't moving enough this year tbh

A bit of a let down

OP posts:
Ichibangerbera · 14/11/2024 13:34

RabbitsRock · 14/11/2024 12:15

The only John Lewis ad I’ve seen is the one with the robin - made me cry

This is the “John Lewis inspired” Christmas advert by Sam Clegg and yes, it is by far the best reminder that Christmas can be a lonely time. Thank you to everyone who downloaded his song as it’s reached the top of the steaming charts.

And no, I’m not his Mum.

WateryBottle · 14/11/2024 13:32

DollopOfFun · 14/11/2024 12:22

Haven't seen this years yet, but it would have to go some to top the 'Long Wait' one for me.

I honestly think that’s the best advert ever made. I was genuinely moved first time I saw it, was not expecting the ending at all and thought it was so lovely.

This one is confusing. I only know what’s going on because I read about it, and how do we know her mother she saw has passed away from the ad?

BeforetheDawn · 14/11/2024 13:23

It's not the first advert to be about shopping in John Lewis though, Guardian journo. There was the snowman slogging through forests and over motorways in a blizzard to buy gloves and a scarf for his ladyfriend. A classic of the JL genre.

Ameliasvocalfry · 14/11/2024 13:21

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/11/2024 12:11

I liked some of it, but got confused by the sister at different ages - to me, she looked older when pregnant than she did at the end.

And who was the little girl who whispered in the main character's ear? First time I watched it I thought it was her daughter, second time I thought it might be her younger self. It could be her sister. I mean, who cares, really, but I'd like a coherent story.

And I felt it was about to end 3 or 4 times before it did.

And it's a let down at the end not to see what she actually bought.

I thought she bought a scarf, but the gift was in a box so I'm confused too.
I don't like the ad, it's far too chaotic.

Daisydurrbridge · 14/11/2024 13:14

The ad is a success because people are talking about it. I had to watch it a couple of times to understand it. That is because it is so bland. I think people who don’t usually watch Christmas ads will watch it to see what the debate is about.

Hotafternoon · 14/11/2024 13:03

I'm not keen but maybe it will grow on me as it's going to be on every day and numerous times from now on, it'll be hard to avoid.

Nice to hear an original song though, really dislike the overblown breathy versions that usually get used.

Favourite is still the dog on the trampoline. 😃

Printedword · 14/11/2024 13:01

MirandaWest · 14/11/2024 10:42

Have you seen the Guardian’s thoughts on it?

amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/nov/14/john-lewis-christmas-advert-shopping

I kind of get this view but I think John Lewis’s way of being about purchasing stuff is infinitely better than some of the Very ads that have been around recently. There’s one that comes in 2 versions, both of which play a tune in a daydream sequence where the ‘child’ (a flamingo called Coral) is in a daydream 💭 with the jingle “I was busy thinking about toys, toys, toys”. Jingle repeats several times and is at that kind of “Listen to me, listen to me” kind of brainwashing tempo. Dreadful.

ZoeRuby · 14/11/2024 12:57

I like it and it made me a bit weepy - but I have two sisters I am very close to and am also pre menstrual so do not have a hold of myself 🙃

curtaintwitcher78 · 14/11/2024 12:51

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 14/11/2024 12:33

And possibly sending up the weeping masses who pore over adverts for their sentimental content…

Show quote history

Yup that's how I saw it.
I've long been fed up of those dreary singers with strange vowel sounds.
There aren't many songs left that can be slowed down and yelped over. 'Moi owld mayns a dustmaaayn? Plinkety plonk'?

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 14/11/2024 12:33

curtaintwitcher78 · 14/11/2024 12:01

He's being sarcastic and likes the ad for being honest?

Show quote history

And possibly sending up the weeping masses who pore over adverts for their sentimental content…

TypingoftheDead · 14/11/2024 12:29

I like the Boots one to an extent - I mean, ok, it’s Boots but I wish the gifts weren’t all quite so stereotypically feminine products. I wouldn’t want anything that gets picked out as a gift in the ad!
But I like how the first elf (?) sees Santa napping on the job and just gets on with it with the rest of the crew. The ads I’ve seen so far and felt completely underwhelmed by are the Asda one and the one with the pink jumper (I don’t hate it, it’s a nice sentiment, but it’s also just kinda boring).

DollopOfFun · 14/11/2024 12:22

Haven't seen this years yet, but it would have to go some to top the 'Long Wait' one for me.

PuppyMonkey · 14/11/2024 12:21

I saw this at 6.30am and didn’t really have a clue what was going on till Richard Madeley mansplained it. Grin

I have been singing that song all day though…Blush

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/11/2024 12:20

oddandelsewhere · 14/11/2024 12:15

Best one ever was 2010 'Always a woman'.

Thanks - I just found it online. Don't remember that one.

JWKD · 14/11/2024 12:20

I must have a heart of stone.

EasternStandard · 14/11/2024 12:18

TeaMistress · 14/11/2024 12:04

I really liked it. Made me a bit tearful

Same.

It was a bit confusing as I thought it was more than one sister, but it got to me

oddandelsewhere · 14/11/2024 12:15

Best one ever was 2010 'Always a woman'.

RabbitsRock · 14/11/2024 12:15

The only John Lewis ad I’ve seen is the one with the robin - made me cry

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/11/2024 12:11

I liked some of it, but got confused by the sister at different ages - to me, she looked older when pregnant than she did at the end.

And who was the little girl who whispered in the main character's ear? First time I watched it I thought it was her daughter, second time I thought it might be her younger self. It could be her sister. I mean, who cares, really, but I'd like a coherent story.

And I felt it was about to end 3 or 4 times before it did.

And it's a let down at the end not to see what she actually bought.

pilates · 14/11/2024 12:10

The song is great

givemushypeasachance · 14/11/2024 12:09

"Maybe the woman in the shop isn’t thinking about her sister at all. Maybe she tripped forward and hit her head on a clothing rail, and what we’re actually seeing is her life flashing before her eyes as she slowly bleeds out. That’s better, isn’t it? That’s a bit more John Lewisy."

Lol from the Guardian take on it.

I'm a bit face-blind so I struggled to tell them apart as two similar looking women/the girls of different ages, wasn't sure when it was the main character and when it was the sister in the flashbacks.

ButterMints · 14/11/2024 12:08

I was also waiting for the twist at the end where the sister had died and she was taking a present to the graveyard. The guardian article is spot on.

TeaMistress · 14/11/2024 12:04

I really liked it. Made me a bit tearful

the80sweregreat · 14/11/2024 12:04

Waitrose with the ' who ate all the dessert ? ' ad is good fun.

dihydroxyphenethylamine · 14/11/2024 12:03

DiamondGoldandSilver · 14/11/2024 11:51

I liked it. My love for the John Lewis Christmas ad continues.

Me too! I suppose it’s possible that one year they’ll make one I don’t love but not yet.