Christmas: Day 20 and Counting - Unexpected

Yep. Tis the Season. For decorating the trees, buying gifts, cinnamon spiced latte, mistletoe, twinkling lights, spiked eggnog, ribbon and wrapping paper, Christmas cards, nativity scenes, neighborhood caroling, and TV commercials. Oh, ugh, you might say. And normally I would agree. The only time for a flood of commercials of this magnitude is right before the holidays. Well, then and the Superbowl. So, this might seem a little bit off the mark of this Christmas songs blog, but while looking for videos for songs I wanted to use today, I ran across this series of commercials. This blog is not a promo for the department store, which happens to be in London. So good luck with ordering anything from there and getting it on time. (Psst...I think the deadline is December 10th for international.) 

While there are plenty of commercials at any time of the year, these were an unexpected surprise. Even though I didn't exactly know where the store was located or what the products were, I was drawn in by the production of the videos. Most specifically the use of popular songs and wrapping them around a vignette with a little message. The singers have sweet, melodic voices, the song choices were fitting and the stories have some "awwww" factor. Maybe not as powerful as a Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale's trotting down the lane in the snow, but meaningful non-the-less.

These campaigns are surely designed to sell products, increase revenue and create awareness. If you can look past all that, there is meaning. So for this blog, still keeping in the theme of Christmas and songs and meaning and relevance, I've added links to these commercials, one for each year since 2008. I know it's not the usual Christmas carols or Christ-themed songs that we started with. But I do believe that the underlying messages are still valuable. Try and find the poignant meaning in each one.

John Lewis Christmas 2008 - Song: From Me to You

Spoiler alert: In this commercial, the gifts are representative of their future owners and the perfect choice. "If you know the person, you'll find the present."





John Lewis Christmas 2009 - Song: Sweet Child of Mine

Spoiler alert: Probably my favorite one of the series. The children are opening gifts that might be a little beyond their years. "Remember how Christmas used to feel? Give someone that feeling."






John Lewis Christmas 2010 - Song: Your Song

Spoiler alert: This is really sweet. Each scenario, the person is doing something a little extra special. The last one is adorable. "For those who care about showing they care."

John Lewis Christmas 2011 - Song: Please, Please, Please

Spoiler alert: The patience of a child is rewarded by a special moment at the end. He has waited for a long time for just the right time to give. By the lyrics, you might think that he's waiting for a gift for himself. But he surprises you in the end. "For gifts you can't wait to give."


 
John Lewis Christmas 2012 - The Journey - Song: Power of Love

Spoiler alert: The dedication, endurance and stamina of this snow-man will astound you. And all in the spirit of love, for his snow-girl. Set in a beautiful snow covered garden and forest. "Give a little more love this Christmas."





John Lewis Christmas 2013 - The Bear & The Hare - Song: "Somewhere Only We Know"

Spoiler alert: Heartwarming relationship between the forest animals, so much so that they awaken the sleeping bear so he doesn't miss any of the Christmas celebration. It's taken from a beautiful storybook that can be downloaded on iPhone or Android. "Give someone a Christmas they'll never forget."




Your assignment (and mine): Try not to let the commercialism of the season ruin everything! It's easy to get overwhelmed at the task of gift buying. Look for tiny drops of goodness. That will get you through it all and be a reminder of why we do this.