To dislike to John Lewis Christmas ad?

[Peashoots]

I get the message behind it but I hated it. Not at all Christmassy, hated the song, hated the aesthetic, just don’t know what they were thinking?

yes this one so beautiful ❤️

@EmmatheStageRat

I don't disagree with any of the points you've made.

However my point was that this is a Christmas tv advert. I don't want to have heavy messages rammed down my throat. I like to see the cute penguins or whatever.

Just because I don't like the advert it doesn't mean the message doesn't resonate. It does. But I could get that message at any time of the year.

Strangers taking in a child in need and showing them love and care is not Christmassy? Stop the world I need to get off.

I think it was brilliant. Such an important message. I have several friends who foster, and the difference they make to those kids is huge, and the impact the kids have on them. Such a big hearted thing to do, really truly the actual spirit of Christmas. Didn’t like the song though.

Also this^^

I think it’s lovely. Not over done. Not promoting mass consumption when so many families are struggling. A parent doing what they can to adapt and make Christmas special for their kid. Lovely.

I like it. It's got a lovely message and is raising awareness about children in care and fostering.

I hope it raises lots of money and maybe recruits some more foster carers.

@feministqueen @MrsmrsmrsS Agreed.
Not impressed.
My fave up to now is the Boots one with Santa's specs.

My non Christmas favourite is the Wrigley's Extra one with the dancing businessman - love it! :-)

The money that some charities spend on ads at Christmas keep them going through the year from donations they receive during this time; donations from the public are not consistent throughout a year.

Higher donations when showing people sleeping on the streets at Christmas rather than the summer months. The public sympathy is higher during winter.

Totally agree. And yes, John Lewis is a business, and it makes money (which pays its employees /partners) and it also raises huge amounts for its nominated charities. Other supermarkets do adverts simply to promote themselves. And also donate to charities.

If you watch commercial TV (without paying) you have to watch ads to pay for it. There's a thought!

Blimey - if you think a child getting a loving home for Christmas is 'depressing' the issue is with you!

It made me cry.

It's actually spot on.

@feministqueen , now I’m not a card-carrying Christian but I did - aeons ago - attend a CofE primary school so I am pretty well up on the Bible. Surely THE central tenet of Christmas is strangers showing extreme kindness and taking in a heavily pregnant mother and making room for her precious baby? Like you, I love penguins, but don’t we all have some responsibility at a time like Christmas to consider others who may be less fortunate?

Quite a few people here complaining about the music. I didn’t even notice the music because I found the visual story so engaging.

I think it’s terrible … it doesn’t make me want to shop in JL

As an aside, shops make adverts to get you to shop there, I’m not sure using kids being taken into care as a marketing ploy is festive at all

Highlighting the work and support JL offer to care leavers absolutely makes me want to support them - but it did before the add

Made me well up. Don’t understand people saying it’s not Christmassy. Epitomises the spirit of Christmas.

I loved it. I thought it was perfect. It's the only christmas advert I have ever seen that genuinely moved me. The message is wonderful, an incredibly important cause - and it's so realistic. Fostering isn't a magical one family overnight, it's love and support and daily effort to try and connect with and help your foster kids however you can. And for the child, entering a new family and having to trust that they will be the people who will care for you and understand you. They potrayed all of that so well.

On a wider note, it's exactly what christmas is about for a lot of people - trying your very best for your children and the people in your life who depend on you. Some time with friends, christmas lights on in the background. But at the heart of it, it's about quietly putting your family and those who rely on you first.

And the song is a cover of my favourite song, so no complaints there either!

@EmmatheStageRat "card carrying Christian?" Rude much? Some would find that very offensive and flippant. Would you say that about other religions?

Responsibility at Christmas? We are talking about preferences for an advert. Let's get some perspective here. What I choose to watch on tv is no reflection of what choices I may or may not make towards the wider discussion of social responsibility.

I am entitled to have an opinion on the fact that I'd rather not have heavy messages rammed down my throat at Christmas time. I don't know what is so difficult to understand about that. I like to shop at John Lewis. I like to feel "Christmassy" I like to go and look in the shop window and see all of the lovely sparkly things in there. I like to see the advert with the 760000 things in that I either can't afford or don't want anyway, but that's beside the point. Because someone might do.

There are many people who are considerate towards others in the small ways every day. Not just at Christmas. I don't see my generosity towards ensuring my family friends and neighbours are well to be less valued that those who choose to take in foster children or whatever. It's not a competition

I love it.

Gentle and powerful. Not all materialistic and ott.

Same. Also thank you for all that you do as a social worker. I can imagine it’s a hard job but at times rewarding.

But a foster child isn’t just for Christmas. Christmas is a real struggle for children in the care system ( and others with difficult home lives). Just because a lovely family take them in at this time of year doesn’t mean happy Christmas all round.
Good for the dad attempting to find common ground but that’s sort of what fostering entails.
Christmas spirt is about extra effort, being kinder, more considerate, spreading warmth and joy when you normally wouldn’t.

I said to DH when we watched it "Oh he looks like Johnny Vegas " ! (Obviously Cut Price Pound Shop version )

My favourite was the JL Snowman one where he's crouched at the edge of the M6 too terrified to cross

i loved it! I’ve had a foster child arrive on Christmas Eve in the past and anything that highlights what these children go through is a win in my eyes.

Although I’ve never know enough notice be given that I’m got time to learn to skateboard 🤣

@feministqueen , here are some 🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧 for you to enjoy. I sincerely hope that you enjoy perusing the 760,000 things you can’t afford at JL. Merry Christmas to you and yours. And here’s wishing you a wonderful 2023.

I liked the JL one, agree that something different this year was good. Greatest gift didn't cost money.

McDonald's wasn't as sad this year, they did one a few years ago that made me weep.