‘Tis the season for twinkly lights, too much eggnog, emotional manipulation, and brands doing the absolute most to make us feel something in under four minutes. And you know I’m here for it.
If you’re new here, every year I willingly fall down an internet rabbit hole in search of the top holiday adverts of the season. My criteria? Hit me right in the feels. It’s simple but non-negotiable: emotional storytelling, aggressively high Christmas vibes, and music that hits all the right notes. I want twinkling lights, cozy chaos, and that magical feeling that takes me straight back to being a kid on Christmas Eve.
Nostalgia is my kryptonite this time of year. Always has been. If an ad taps into memories, reflection, and family (the good, the complicated, the messy) and manages to make my eyes leak even a little, it’s got my attention. Give me the feels or give me nothing.
So pour yourself something festive (if it’s in a coffee mug, no one will know. I don’t judge), cancel whatever productivity you thought you had left for the day, and let’s count down my Top 5 Christmas adverts of 2025.
Starting off with my number one pick this year…
#1 – An Uber Holiday Story | Uber
You know that sound you make when you don’t realize your breath has been taken away, but suddenly your eyes are welling up and you let out this weird, gaspy noise? Yeah. That was me. This one caught me completely off guard, and I loved it.
Uber takes the top spot this year with a beautiful story about family, reflection, and the complicated relationships that tend to come to a head at Christmas, whether we’re ready for them or not. Sometimes they even heal. At least temporarily.
And then they bring Landslide into it. That song alone is enough to send me into a spiral, but paired with this tumultuous father-daughter story? Whew. It’s a reminder that Christmas isn’t always easy or perfect, but at the end of the day, love usually finds a way to win and bring us back together. Thanks, Uber.
#2 – Memory Lane | Chevrolet Holiday Commercial 2025
For the second year in a row, Chevy’s holiday ad has made my eyes leak (that’s a Grinch reference for those Jim Carrey fans). While the :60 version doesn’t pack quite the same emotional punch as the full-length 5:30 story, it still hits you right in the feels—earning it the fourth spot on this year’s list. Who doesn’t love a good cry this time of year? My only critique… it doesn’t scream holiday. It’s a bit like the never-ending debate: is Die Hard really a Christmas movie, or does it just happen to take place at Christmas? I’ll let you decide.
#3 – Where Love Lives | John Lewis & Partners | Christmas Ad 2025
Ah yes. The king of Christmas adverts returns.
John Lewis does what John Lewis does best, but this year with a much simpler approach, and it really worked. No over-explaining. No heavy-handed messaging. No big star power. Just music doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. Saying what you need to say when you don’t know how to say it.
As a big music person, this one really stuck with me. It says so much without actually saying anything at all, which is arguably the hardest thing to pull off in advertising. Brava, John Lewis. Welcome back. At least to my list.
#4 – The Perfect Gift | Waitrose | Christmas Ad 2025
Amazon once again earns a top spot on our list with their holiday campaign, “Midnight Opus.” Year after year, they deliver big on holiday magic, and this season is no different. Partnering with sound-driven creative agency DLMDD, they’ve chosen Burt Bacharach’s timeless ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’—a perfect soundtrack that not only captures the warmth of the holidays but also serves as a poignant reminder in today’s politically charged world.
#5 – Secret Santa | Facebook (Kiss ‘Cold Gin’)
As someone who has a bit of a love-hate relationship with Facebook (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), I have to give credit where it’s due. This was a really sweet, cinematic spot.
It’s a smart, effective way to showcase Marketplace while telling a charming story about connection. The end slate ties it all together beautifully: “a little connection goes a long way.” A solid reminder that, when used well, social platforms can actually bring people closer together. Occasionally.
Honourable Mentions:
Home But Not Alone | Home Instead
Home Alone is my favourite Christmas movie, so the second I saw Macaulay Culkin dressed as an adult Kevin McCallister, I knew this was making the list one way or another. A clever headline that ties an important message back to a beloved holiday classic. Smart, playful, and perfectly on-brand for the season.
Just Add Cran. Beware of Cranpus.
Bryan Cranston as Cranberry Krampus? Absolutely unhinged and absolutely hilarious. This one brought the laughs and earned its honourable mention purely for creativity and entertainment value.
Another year, another batch of holiday adverts that made us laugh, cry, and feel all the festive feels. Whether it was nostalgia, music, family moments, or a perfectly timed craisin heist, these brands reminded us of what Christmas storytelling does best: it brings us back to what really matters.
Here’s hoping these ads put you in the holiday spirit, inspired a rewatch (or five), and maybe even made you a little misty-eyed. Until next year, cheers to great storytelling, connection, and memories that actually matter. And if none of these made you feel something… well, enjoy the coal in your stocking. ✨
Looking for an easy way to add a little holiday to your cocktails this season? Try this winter spiced gin recipe:
- 500 ml London Dry Gin
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 2 orange peels
Combine, let sit for 24 hours, then strain and enjoy in any gin-based cocktail of your choice!
Cheers! 🥂