Tesco joins Lidl, Boots and M&S as it unveils its tearjerking Christmas ad – about a family grieving their grandmother during festive period
With six weeks to go until Christmas, Tesco has released its eagerly awaited Christmas advert – and it may just move you to tears.
The supermarket’s three-minute 2024 short film, titled ‘Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit’, tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces up to 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.
Partly animated, the ad is set to On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz and traces the fluctuations in Gary’s Christmas spirit, something which viewers who’ve faced losing a loved one will relate to.
When Gary’s grandad offers him a pack of Tesco Gingerbread Men, his Christmas spirit sky-rockets.
Depicted in the ad by a joyous explosion of gingerbread men, sweets and candy canes, the world then transforms into a tasty winter wonderland.
Everyday activities become whimsical and filled with gingerbread men as Gary is caught up in the nostalgic memories, the shots of which are decorated with tasty Christmas food from the supermarket.
However, viewers also see the magical world ‘crumble’ along with Gary’s Christmas spirit when he is faced with grieving his grandmother’s absence during the festive period.
In a tear-jerking last shot, Gary goes to visit his grandfather as both decide to bond over making a gingerbread house in her memory, stating: ‘She would’ve loved this.’
With six weeks to go until Christmas , Tesco has released its eagerly awaited Christmas advert – and it may just move you to tears
The supermarket’s three-minute 2024 short film, titled ‘Helping Feed Your Christmas Spirit’, tells the story of construction worker Gary as he faces up to the reality of Christmas without his beloved grandmother
Their finished product is the pride of the final festive spread, which also features a golden turkey, roast potatoes and pigs in blankets from Tesco.
The retailer offers a range of gingerbread products, including the Tesco Create Your Own Gingerbread House; Tesco Create Your Own Gingerbread Village, and Tesco Mini Gingerbread Men.
Elsewhere, 10p from every sale of gingerbread this Christmas will be donated to Trussell and FareShare, to help provide access to food for people in the community.
Tesco’s ad aimed to look at the idea of ‘Christmas spirit’ as ‘something that needs looking after – it ebbs and flows in response to life’s ups and downs’.
‘But moments related to home, food and reconnecting with loved ones are the key to topping it up,’ the supermarket explained.
‘Crucially for the narrative of the campaign, the insight highlighted that festive traditions enjoyed with family and loved ones can literally and figuratively feed our Christmas spirit through the familiarity of home and the comfort of Christmas food whether that’s the main event, snacking on leftovers or sharing a celebratory drink with loved ones.’
Becky Brock, Tesco’s Group Customer Director, said: ‘We want our Christmas campaign to connect people with the joy of moments that help feed our Christmas spirit and showcase 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 to feed it.
Partly animated, the ad is set to On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz and traces the fluctuations in Gary’s Christmas spirit, something which viewers who’ve faced losing a loved one will relate to
‘We’re here to top up your Christmas spirit wherever we can, whether it’s the first bite of a Christmas Sandwich, mince pie or gingerbread man, in the run up to the big day, a delicious, great value spread of food to enjoy with loved ones or service with a smile from our fantastic colleagues. We hope that the ad, and Tesco help feed your Christmas spirit this year!’
Meanwhile, Felipe Serradourada Guimaraes, Deputy Executive Creative Director at BBH London, added: ‘After 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 it on without moving it off. Another proud moment in the BBH and Tesco partnership.’
Tesco’s emotional ad joins festive campaigns from Lidl, Boots and M&S, to name just a few – and most recently, Disney.
The global filmmaker today launches its heartwarming Christmas advert for 2024, directed by Rita Ora’s husband Taika Waititi and featuring a surprisingly cute, animated octopus.
A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus follows the journey of a child who discovers the curious creature has attached itself to his head during a seaside vacation.
After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus by introducing his new companion to his life on land, before taking the lovable 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 he sets in motion a plan to make it happen – with the help of Santa.