1. Norelco: “Santa on a Shaver”
If you grew up in the ‘70s or ‘80s, you probably remember the Norelco commercial featuring Santa riding a shaver through the snow like a sled. This was one of those slightly quirky but utterly delightful ads that made kids wonder why Santa wasn’t traveling by sleigh. This clever, joyful imagery has become a Christmas icon in its own right, and it was so memorable that Norelco revived it years later with updated animation.
2. Coca-Cola: “Holiday Hilltop”
Coke nailed it with this commercial where people of all different backgrounds join together on a beautiful hilltop to sing, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” This ad didn’t immediately have vibes specific to Christmas until the final shape of the crowd was revealed, but the peace, joy, and unity it radiated were unmistakably in line with the holiday spirit. The tune is so classic that it instantly takes you back, reminding us that the holidays are about bringing people together and celebrating kindness.
3. Folgers Coffee: “Peter Comes Home”
Few ads have as much nostalgia power as Folgers’ “Peter Comes Home” commercial. Peter, the prodigal son, surprises his family by coming home early Christmas morning. As he makes a fresh pot of coffee, the family stirs awake, and the look on his mom’s face when she sees him says it all. Folgers managed to capture the joy of reuniting for the holidays, and the smell of fresh coffee became practically synonymous with home and Christmas.
4. Hershey’s Kisses: “Holiday Bells”
The Hershey’s Kisses “Holiday Bells” ad is so simple, yet so charming. In this one, red and green Kisses “perform” a classic rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” each chocolate “bell” ringing out its own note. There’s no dialogue, no actors—just the adorable, minimalist image of chocolates as bells. It’s a little nugget of Christmas cheer that’s as timeless as ever, and you can’t help but smile every time you hear those first notes.
5. Campbell’s Soup: “Snowman Melts”
Is it even Christmas without the Campbell’s snowman commercial? A snowy snowman walks into a cozy home and starts enjoying a hot bowl of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, only to “melt” into a little boy underneath all that snow. This ad captures that beautiful wintery feeling of coming in from the cold and warming up with a hot meal. It’s comforting, it’s cozy, and it’s pure Christmas magic in 30 seconds.
6. M&M’s: “He Does Exist!”
When Santa and the M&M’s characters finally meet, there’s an undeniable sense of Christmas wonder. As Red and Yellow stumble upon Santa and both parties gasp in shock—“He does exist!”—you can’t help but chuckle. This ad brought some Christmas spirit and a bit of magic to the M&M brand. It’s a little reminder that even grown-ups can find themselves believing in the wonder of Christmas just a little bit more.
7. Macy’s: “Believe” (2009)
Macy’s tugged at heartstrings with their “Believe” campaign, which paid homage to the timeless holiday classic, Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. In this beautifully crafted ad, a young girl writes a letter to Santa, capturing that pure, innocent wonder every child feels around Christmas. Macy’s campaign encouraged kids across the country to write their own letters to Santa, reminding us all of the magic and hope that comes with believing. It wasn’t just an ad; it was a message of optimism, connecting us to the true spirit of Christmas, where wonder and faith in something greater than ourselves still reign. For anyone who grew up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and dreaming of holiday window displays, this ad was the perfect beginning to the season.
8. Toys “R” Us: The Animated Christmas Commercial
Toys “R” Us brought out the childlike wonder of Christmas in one of their sweetest animated holiday commercials. This little gem featured cozy, colorful animations of the treasure trove of goodies that was Toys “R” Us. It was especially fun because of how accurate they actually made the cartoon look, allowing us to both step into a cherished Christmas special and into the greatest store in the whole wide world. It was as cozy as a warm blanket on a snowy night and made every child dream a little bigger as Christmas approached.
9. Apple: “Misunderstood”
One of Apple’s most touching ads, “Misunderstood” tells the story of a teenager who seems to be glued to his phone during a family Christmas, only to reveal he’s been secretly filming and creating a heartfelt video of the holiday moments. This one struck a chord with modern audiences, bridging the gap between technology and tradition and reminding us that family connections can take many forms. It’s a tear-jerker for the digital age.
10. Hallmark: “I Love You, Grandpa”
Hallmark knows a thing or two about tugging at the heartstrings, and their “I Love You, Grandpa” Christmas commercial was no exception. In this ad, a young girl gives her grandpa a Hallmark card with the simple words, “I love you, Grandpa.” It’s sweet, sentimental, and perfectly encapsulates the special bonds we celebrate during the holidays. This is the kind of ad that makes you want to pick up a pen, grab a card, and remind someone you love them.
11. Coca-Cola: “Polar Bears”
Coca-Cola created another classic with their adorable polar bears who gather in the snowy wilderness to share an ice-cold Coke. There’s something incredibly cozy about these animated polar bears as they sip their Cokes and enjoy each other’s company. The image of the polar bears has become a staple of Coca-Cola’s holiday branding and is as tied to Christmas as a candy cane or a stocking hung by the fire.
12. John Lewis: “The Long Wait”
John Lewis, the British retailer known for its heart-wrenching Christmas ads, nailed it with “The Long Wait.” The ad follows a little boy who is eagerly counting down the days to Christmas, but in a twist, it turns out he’s not waiting for presents—he’s waiting to give a gift to his parents. It’s an emotional reminder of the joy of giving, and it brought a lot of viewers to tears, capturing the spirit of Christmas giving in the most heartwarming way possible.
These commercials may be short, but their impact is long-lasting, like ornaments we dust off and cherish every year. They capture the season’s magic, remind us of simpler times, and bring us back to moments we hold dear. Watching them is like opening a little time capsule of holiday cheer—and isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
