There’s no snowy street in London’s Primrose Hill, no mansion, and no beautiful Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, but I’m happy to say that Marks & Spencer’s new Christmas advert is a brilliant piece of marketing magic.
In the midst of a bored, Christmas-weary family, a little girl (played by former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Skylar Blue) creates her own fun with a simple snow globe and her imagination.
As he shakes the balloon, the inhabitants of the house suddenly appear inside and, at his whim, begin to dance on the roofs and fall down the stairs.
The choreography is by Corey Baker from the new Beetlejuice movie and is Strictly Come Dancing drunk and clean. Glorious. The message is clear: let M&S come to the rescue and zhuhz your cold, boring life.
The soundtrack is I Believe In Miracles, a 1973 disco hit that takes me back to the three-day week; a winter of candles, no television, no heating, the only entertainment a game of cards with my mother.
In the midst of a bored, Christmas-weary family, a little girl played by former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Skylar Blue (pictured) creates her own fun with a simple snow globe and her imagination.
Skylar wears a Kids Sequin Off Shoulder Top (£22) and Sequin Mini Skirt (£22) with Black Mid-Calf Boots (£32)
At the beginning of the video, 10-year-old Skylar appears subdued as she sits among her family, with no prospect of snow.
Skylar sees a snowball across the room and picks it up, which is when the magic starts to happen.
The snow globe manages to bring the feeling of Christmas magic into the house as Skylar moves it.
Then something magical begins to happen as hundreds of ornaments cascade down the stairs.
The whole house turns upside down as a sensational dance number is performed.
It shows Skylar bringing her family together in unexpected ways and bringing the holiday spirit into her home.
The 90-second ad aims to tell the Christmas story ‘through the eyes of a child’
At the end of the ad, it is snowing after all and the magic of Christmas has returned.
It’s the only Christmas I remember vividly, and despite everything, I enjoyed every moment. This new ad is in exactly the same spirit: we may be cash-strapped, but we can still be together, have fun, and dress up.
And yet, its message is very modern. There is nothing nuclear about this family. Are the people in the house (and in the snowball) friends, aunts, moms, or even relatives? Don’t just have fun for yourself, says M&S, but also your own family.
No one is chained to a stove, either: the ad is full of women in faux fur, incredible outfits (fun 1920s flapper dress, anyone?), and sparkly ballet flats. Smartly, you can buy the ad instantly online.
I imagine every ten year old girl will be begging to buy the silver top and skirt (£22 each).
The women’s red ‘midaxi’ swing dress, £49.50, is festive and sexy and even the men are dressed smartly: no sweatshirts or trainers, but tuxedo trousers (£40), a velvet jacket, for example! only £13! – and patent leather shoes (£80).
What’s not very 1973 at all is that buyers can upload a photo online and see it appear in a personalized, animated snow globe; What’s more, if you share it on social networks, you will automatically participate in a contest so that your snowball arrives. life with a 3D printed version.
To quote the late Strictly judge Len Goodman: Pickle my nuts!
