Best Christmas adverts 2021—Aldi, M&S, John Lewis and more

Certain adverts are an indicator that the yuletide season is on the way and choosing from the best Christmas adverts is no easy task as they seem to get even better each year. 

The production value and storytelling involved in examples like the John Lewis Christmas advert can rival festive movies and the best Christmas TV episodes of all time.

Adverts are usually an opportunity to get the kettle on but these thrilling ads mean those breaks are now far too entertaining to miss. Luckily for you, we've got the low down on the best out there, so you won't miss any of your precious tea breaks!

M&S Christmas advert 2021

Marks and Spencer is one of the most iconic, classic British brands out there. It's so loved that they even did TWO ads this year! A food one, which features further down in the list, and their everything-else-one too.

Sticking to their reputation as a classic, reliable brand, their Christmas ad fuses old Hollywood musicals, high glam and family values—an ideal mix of what they do best.

It features a female protagonist having an absolute hoot in a magical fantasy winter wonderland, dancing to Marshmallow World by Darlene Love as she goes.

See her mooch past Christmas trees, baubles, home, beauty, and the best his and hers Christmas pyjamas you could dream of.

Boots Christmas Advert 2021

Not content with driving their loyal customers wild with the No7 Advent Calendar by offering TWO different options, Boots #BAGSOFJOY campaign has gone to another level.

They've hired an A-list actor, Doctor Who's Jenna Coleman, to star as the protagonist who receives a Mary Poppins-esque bottomless bag from her grandma. What's in it you ask? Well, everything from hair, to beauty, to skincare, to electronics, to pushchairs. 

The ad has a few acts and ends with this wonderful granny, who's dressed a bit like Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey. In a room surrounded by multiple generations of the one family, Jenna's character gives her gran a bottle of her favourite perfume, telling her that it's what “love” feels like. 

Hopefully there's a box of tissues in that bottomless bag too!

Aldi Christmas advert 2021

The supermarket chain that made a cartoon carrot go viral has expanded its repertoire to include exotic fruits. This year a new star has been born in the form of Ebanana Scrooge.

Little Ebanana is seen losing his faith in Christmas in a not-so-secret nod to the Dickensian Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol. However, with the help of the spirit of Christmas (who looks an awful lot like Kevin the carrot with a little white beard), he regains his Yuletide joy. 

It remains to be seen but we're nearly certain that Ebanana Scrooge-themed merch is about to be the must-have item after the Aldi Christmas advert 2021!

Another standout star who helped many of us regain our faith in humanity is Marcus Rashford who appears as 'Marcus Radishford'.

Marcus stole the nation's heart by speaking out about his reliance on school dinners growing up and his ongoing campaign to help hungry families across the UK—for which he recently received an MBE. 

On the advert's release, he opened up about his family's struggles around Christmas time.

“As a family, we relied on the local food bank to get our Christmas dinner," he explained. "To this day, I remember queuing outside that building with mum; mum feeling embarrassed that she might be recognized." 

His appearance in the ad isn't just a nod to his hard work, but also in support of other families experiencing the same hardship his did. He said, "It is with that in mind that I’m delighted to lend my support to the Aldi campaign."

Marcus continued, “For many children in situations like mine growing up, there is very little expectation around this time of year; add the impact of the pandemic and the very least they deserve is a Christmas dinner.”

Aldi currently works with Neighbourly, an organization that connects businesses to charitable organizations in local communities, to donate its surplus food to local causes.

Steve Butterworth, Neighbourly CEO, said, "We're delighted to be supporting Aldi in their year-round food redistribution program and in their commitment to donate 1.8 million meals this Christmas."

He added, “These donations will help a record number of families across the UK during what is expected to be the busiest year on record for local charities and causes."

Coca Cola Christmas Advert 2021

Coca Cola might be best known for their Christmas ads featuring that iconic truck, laden with festoon lights and reminding us all that 'Holidays are comin,' but this year they've got a total tear-jerker.

Their 2021 offering features a single mum and her son moving into a new building, filled with strangers including one older isolated woman. After he sees a Christmas ad featuring a chimney, he gets to making his very own—as their flat doesn't have one. 

Gathering every cardboard box he can, the little boy is joined bit by bit by the whole building who band together to build an enormous network of 'chimneys' out of cardboard, covered in lights, that go into everyone's flat. Including, you guessed it, that isolated older woman.

Despite the health and safety nightmare and the shocking waste of energy involved in having your window open during the winter months, in the end they all join together for a feast—plus Coca Cola of course.

Debenhams Christmas advert 2021

Debenhams have made the risky decision to mention the elephant in the room—the pandemic. Well, not directly but the ad features a little girl making reference to the milestones she's missed.

The whole theme is making up for the terrible times experienced and last year's festive celebrations which many families spent apart.

Peter Duggan, the head of creative at Debenhams explained, "It’s a very simple message really; kids have lost out on hugely important life moments that they can never get back, so make sure this Christmas is one they won’t ever forget."

Lidl Christmas advert 2021

Lidl's hilarious Christmas advert begins in the present and then jets off to the future, showing that although many things progress and change, some things never change. 

So although dad might be carving the turkey with a lazer knife, the same jokes, conversations, and banter will be had. Most importantly, Lidl will still be bringing their top-notch quality products at a reasonable price.

M&S Food Christmas Advert 2021

Percy Pig is back at it and this year, coming to life with the aid of the one and only Dawn French. The star, who recently channeled Jamie Lee Curtis with dramatic short hair transformation, voices a little fairy tree ornament that comes to life once the hallowed food hall closes.

Dawn's fairy drops her magic wand on some cute Percy wrapping paper, which brings the cute character to life. Tom Holland, who's best known for playing Spiderman, voices the beloved pig. 

Percy grabs life by the pigtails and goes on a tasty rampage of all things Christmas food, while the fairy keeps him from wreaking havoc.