With six weeks to go until Christmas, Tesco has released its long-awaited Christmas advert – and it may move you to tears.
The supermarket’s 2024 three-minute short film, titled ‘Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit’, tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces the reality of Christmas without his beloved grandmother.
He chooses to remember and celebrate his late relative by continuing a tradition they once shared: building a gingerbread house.
Partially animated, the spot is set to Gorillaz’s On Melancholy Hill and tracks the fluctuations in Gary’s Christmas spirit, something viewers who have dealt with the loss of a loved one will relate to.
When Gary’s grandfather offers him a packet of Tesco Gingerbread Men, his Christmas spirit soars.
Represented in the ad by a joyous explosion of gingerbread men, candies and candy canes, the world is transformed into a tasty winter wonderland.
Everyday activities become whimsical and filled with gingerbread men as Gary becomes trapped in nostalgic memories, shots of which are decorated with delicious Christmas food from the supermarket.
However, viewers also see the magical world “fall apart” along with Gary’s Christmas spirit as he grapples with his grandmother’s absence over the festive period.
In a touching final shot, Gary goes to visit his grandfather and the two decide to team up to make a gingerbread house in his memory, stating, “She would have loved this.”
With six weeks to go until Christmas, Tesco has released its long-awaited Christmas advert – and it may move you to tears.
The supermarket’s 2024 three-minute short film, titled ‘Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit’, tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces the reality of Christmas without his beloved grandmother.
Their final product is the pride of the final festive dish, which also includes a golden turkey, roast potatoes and pigs in blankets from Tesco.
The retailer offers a range of gingerbread products including Tesco Create Your Own Gingerbread House; Tesco Create your own gingerbread village and Tesco Mini Gingerbread Men.
Elsewhere, 10p from every gingerbread sale this Christmas will be donated to Trussell and FareShare, to help provide access to food for people in the community.
Tesco’s ad sought to consider the idea of the “Christmas spirit” as “something that needs nurturing: it ebbs and flows in response to the ups and downs of life.”
“But the moments related to home, food and reunion with loved ones are the key to completing it,” the supermarket explained.
“Crucially to the campaign narrative, the information highlighted that holiday traditions enjoyed with family and loved ones can literally and figuratively fuel our Christmas spirit through the familiarity of home and the comfort of Christmas meal, whether it’s the main event, snacking on leftovers or sharing a celebratory drink with loved ones.’
Becky Brock, Tesco group chief customer officer, said: ‘We want our Christmas campaign to connect people with the joy of moments that help fuel our Christmas spirit and show how Tesco can help you do just that.
‘We appreciate that even if you love Christmas, there can be little things that eat away at your Christmas spirit, as well as things that help fuel it.
Partially animated, the spot is set to Gorillaz’s On Melancholy Hill and tracks the fluctuations in Gary’s Christmas spirit, something viewers who have dealt with the loss of a loved one will relate to.
“We’re here to recharge your Christmas spirit whenever we can, whether it’s the first bite of a Christmas sandwich, mince pie or gingerbread man, in the lead up to the big day, a delicious and great range of food to enjoy .with your loved ones or service with a smile from our fantastic colleagues. We hope the advert and Tesco help fuel your Christmas spirit this year!’
Meanwhile, Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes, deputy executive creative director at BBH London, added: “Following the success of the 2023 campaign, we wanted to create something that built on last year but still felt fresh. As the BBH mantra goes, we wanted to move forward without moving it. Another proud moment in the partnership between BBH and Tesco.’
Tesco’s emotional advert follows festive campaigns from Lidl, Boots and M&S, to name just a few, and most recently, Disney.
The global filmmaker today releases his heartwarming 2024 Christmas ad, directed by Rita Ora’s husband Taika Waititi and featuring a surprisingly cute animated octopus.
A Disney Christmas short: The Boy & The Octopus follows the journey of a boy who discovers that the curious creature has stuck to his head during a seaside vacation.
After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus by introducing him to his new companion in his life on land, before taking the adorable octopus out into the world to experience the joy of the holidays.
The boy comes to understand the extent of the octopus’ desire to explore everything the world has to offer and sets in motion a plan to make it a reality, with the help of Santa.
