to think that Littlewoods advert should be banned?

[CherylWillBounceBack]

Shameful for all the reasons below:

a) Ruins Christmas by exposing the truth about Santa's existence.
b) Encourages debt fuelled consumerism (easy payments)
c) could pressurise people out of guilt to spend more than they can afford
d) Attempts to make presents which are ridiculously look like the norm
e) Suggests that we should pass our hard earned up a generation by putting laptops on the knees of grandparents. Rich old people can buy their own electronic tat if they so choose.
f) annoying tune that gets stuck in the head.

I bloody hate that ad.

@cogitoergosometimes: "The original song is 'My Brother' so they've morphed it to 'My Mother'."

Yes, but those of us of a certain age will now find the Terry Scott original playing on a loop in our heads: who put the salt in the sugar bowl? Who put fireworks in the coal? Who put a real live toad in the hole? My brother.

etc etc

I hadn't seen the Littlewoods ad before. I think the answer to the problem is only to watch the BBC. (Is there a "terrific snob" emoticon?)

hackmum Only BBC4 and Radio Three please! :o

" (Is there a "terrific snob" emoticon?)"

No, Hackmum, there isn't, but should be. This is mumsnet, after all.

I agree with those who've said that if children believe that Santa brings absolutely everything, then they won't be able to comprehend the costs involved and that there has to be a limit to 'Santa's' generosity. Father Christsmas fills a stocking here and might bring one special present that the DC have asked for, but anything under the tree is family.

Horrendous advert :( - YANBU

I couldn't disagree more about what the message of Santa (or FC) should be. The whole idea of being bestowed as if by magic with a gift out of the blue (or several) is to show children that God gives gifts unconditionally and that the universe is a place of unlimited bounty and goodness, and also that some benign being cares enough about them individually to stop on the roof, go down the chimney and leave something special for each one. It is an important step in understanding the meaning of Christmas and the concept of giving, for children. The whole point about the true meaning of Christmas is that there is no limit to the generosity of God.

This doesn't translate into masses and masses of pressies under the tree for my DCs. They write a list and they know Santa will do her best to find at least a couple of the items on it for each of them.

What I find really icky about Christmas ads is the idea that adults would also expect gifts, especially the bigger ticket items shown.

An HTC for uncle Ken and a camera for "jen" presumably a friend... who buys expensive stuff like that?

Yuk, appealing to the debt-riddled masses. Revolting.

Why are the parents all at a Christmas school play after Christmas??????

Peachy Sun 06-Nov-11 02:53:01
We have a second verse we sing

who put our Christmas on HP
started to panic in January
couldn't pay the rent so we're in a B&B

MY FECKIN MOTHER

ROFL

(yay! someone liked it! )

Just seen the Waitrose Christmas advert - now THAT made me feel Christmassy :o

Just saw it. It's HIDEOUS. AWFUL chavmungous shite.

Its absolutely bleughhh. We heard it on the radio today too (Magic I think) and DH and I were doing fake puke faces in the car so much that we got a funny look from the lady next to us at the lights.

BUT - they're never too young to start popping the advertising bubble with. DS1 and I had a good chat after it came on the radio about what being an 'amazing mum cos she got me a Wii' (or whatever pukeworthy lyric it was) was and he totally surprised me. His reaction? 'That kid's spoilt and being a good mum is loving someone and looking after them and kissing them and making them nice dinner not buying them stuff.' Or words close to that effect. Aww.

Sounds like he knows how to suck up to get teh present he wants.

YADNBU I remarked earlier to my DP'' I really hate that advert ! The spirit of capitalism is alive and well''. I think it is really out of touch with most peoples mood at the moment. Have not read all the thread yet but does Philip Green own littlewoods. I had not even thought of exposing the santa myth but yes you are quite right.

jjkm, I agree with you. We definitely need a balance between saving and spending.

Just thought I'd point you in the direction of this link where you can log your distaste at this pile of steaming horse shite.

Thanks bupcakes, for some reason it doesn't register my comment saying it's duplicated, but I registered my disgust with the blog staff

I think that a Facebook campaign needs setting up

Here I had a spare five minutes!

'I think the lovely mother thing is supposed to appeal to our maternal instincts.... patronizing as fuck

yup, appealing to guilt

people on benefits / low incomes know that they ahve to pay it back, of course they do, but it's always easy to hope things will change and the Littlewoods ad in using the same pre Christmas line as the traditional Man From The Provvy: 'don;t worry, you'll have a job by New Year- here, don;t ruin their Christmas, they are only little once and it's just £500 after all...'

Horrible.

I requested to join! :)