In case you haven’t noticed, the Brits have been killing it with the Christmas ads this season. First up was that sweet clip from UK retailer John Lewis, featuring a bunch of adorable animals bouncing up and down like crazy on a kid’s trampoline. Not to be out-done though, the grocery chain Sainsbury’s followed things up with an animated version of James Corden singing a catchy holiday tune about the greatest gift we can give our families (spoiler alert: it’s ourselves). And who didn’t get a serious case of the feels watching the ad from London’s Heathrow airport — which brought us the love story of two elderly animated bears, making their way home for the holiday?
But now, it’s Poland’s turn. And man, have they delivered.
Earlier this week, the Polish online auction platform Allegro released an ad that will tug at your heart in all sorts of unexpected ways. Seriously — the entire Internet has been getting teary over it for days.
Just take a look at Twitter:
Utterly wonderful Christmas ad. Cry a little, you Grinch. [via @browbeat]. https://t.co/h6qXkGvMXS
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) December 7, 2016
@guardian @irisstylosa I love it, even with no sound the message come across very stong
— helen williams (@mamandnan) December 7, 2016
Yes, the Polish ad is as good as everyone says it is. This is a link to the original on YouTube. https://t.co/uMLnXZ9ynO
— Damian Counsell (@DamCou) December 7, 2016
@themindcircle My heart's melting!
— Alice
In the clip, an elderly Polish man can be seen opening a package that comes in the mail: a book on how to learn English. We then watch him over the course of the next few days, weeks, and maybe even months, as he learns English any which way he can. He listens to his book on tape; he repeats words aloud to his dog; and, adorably, he leaves little Post-It notes on everything in his house, labeled with English words that will hopefully get him to remember them.
But the real heartwarming part — and the total surprise — comes at the video’s end, when we see the old man board a plane for England, and show up on Christmas Day ready to speak English to someone special.
I won’t ruin it all for you, but I will say this: Allegro may have just won Christmas.