The holiday season gives me many mixed feelings. Mostly, I realized that as soon as you’re old enough to be responsible for buying presents for other people (instead of just receiving them), Christmas becomes a lot less fun and a lot more stressful. The pressure of getting the perfect gift for those I love in time for Christmas without spending a ton of money can be too much at times.
I think a lot of people would agree that Christmas should focus on bringing families together, rather than running around frantic to buy gifts. And this new ad from Sainsbury’s captures that just perfectly.
British companies are seriously bringing it this year with the ads that we’re already seeing. Everyone is talking about the #BustertheBoxer ad with cute woodland creatures enjoying a trampoline. While that commercial was cute for the cuddly creatures factor, I love this ad even more for its message about wanting to be with loved ones.
Narrated with a song performed by James Corden (of The Late Late Show and Carpool Karaoke fame), the 3-and-a-1/2-minute commercial is made with entirely hand-made stop motion. I didn’t even realize until I saw the behind-the-scenes video — which proves those 3 minutes must have taken FOREVER to create.
So what’s the gist of the ad? The main character, Dave, feels that he’s being pulled away from his family with work obligations and buying gifts during the busy holiday season, when all he wants to do is be with them. (Also, a huge shout out for the multicultural and multigenerational family that was featured!) With a stroke of genius, he uses his skills as a toy maker to build toys that can act as a stand-in for all of his obligations. (The nodding dog at the boring work meeting was my personal favorite.) That way, Dave can devote his time to what he really wants — being with family. That’s a message I think we can all get behind.
Even better — and this is the part that really pulled at my heartstrings — Cosmopolitan UK reported that Sainsbury’s has partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital with this campaign. The money raised from the ads will be used to build accommodations for families, “so that kids in hospital will always have their family nearby.”
Is there anything more heartwarming? Sainsbury’s definitely put an incredible amount of time and effort into this awesome campaign, and we just love the great message it sends this holiday season.
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