I’m pretty sure most of you will have seen the new John Lewis Christmas tv ad, which aired this weekend. This is not a sponsored post. Geeeeeeze, stop with your bloody cynicism.
D and I saw this advert and well, we both blubbed a little. Now, it should be stressed that I do not cry at such things. Although, the last thing I cried at was when we finally got to the end of watching Prison Break recently, and we found out what happens to Burrows and Schofield. Damn. Those two guys are hawt.
Anyway, I don’t do crying at stuff, it’s just not me. Am I unemotional? Far from it. I have my moments. But I’m also aware of real life, and how most tv is utter bollocks. Including adverts. (Prison Break, however, is entirely real, so shut your mouth.) It took me a second to figure out why D and I were both pretending why we had something in our eyes, both of us being so down to Earth and all, and then D said it.
“That’s exactly what Noah would do.”
Jesus, the man done hit the nail on the proverbial head.
I was gobsmacked by the amount of cynicism with which the advert was met on twitter. I totally get those who weren’t moved by it (see previous paragraphs) but then there were tweets that actually made me quite sad. Including:
only cos it’s fairytale parenthood. Life ain’t perfect girlie, is it?
and also (upon saying I wanted to blog about it):
[...] I feel MURDEROUS when I watch it [...] can’t be doing with the schmaltzy stuff – how did he get to town, buy, sneak home, wrap, etc
So. Why so sad at something so seemingly staged (it’s a filmed advert, after all)? It’s obvious. If you live with Noah.
It’s the sort of thing he would do. It’s the sort of thing he’s already tried to do.
Last year, Noah wanted to make a cake for his dad’s birthday. Only, he realised that Daddy’s birthday was around the corner and he was going to have to exercise his resources. So he made one out of Stickle Bricks of his own accord, and presented it to his Daddy later on. “Surprise, Daddy! I made you a cake.”
When his Uncle and new Aunty got married back in September, he saw that they had been given presents on the day. On his arrival back at home, he asked me if he could make them something to give as a gift; he created one hell of a work of art (unknown to them, or anyone else but myself since he had to ask for the bits and pieces) and asked me to give it to the couple when I saw them next. When asked “why don’t you do it, Noah?” came the reply “because I’ll be at school, Mommy, and I can’t get to their house on my own. You will see them won’t you Mommy?”
In the car whilst rushing around from place to place sorting out life in general, we stopped and got both boys a McD’s Happy Meal each. Emptied the nuggets and fries into the box and passed one to Noah. He took one nugget and passed the box to Isaac; his assumption was to share the food with everyone. He looked mildly confused when we told him that box was just for him.
I hate to sound like that barfy dreamed-drugged parent whom every body hates, but the sort of stuff in that John Lewis advert does happen in our house. Fairytale parenthood? Maybe. Fairytale for some, not us. Schmaltzy? To some. Not to us. Actually, it’s quite normal for us in this house. Resourceful little boy? Yep. If Noah wants to do something, much like his stubborn mother, once he’s put his mind to it, he’ll do it. He’ll figure a way. It’s only because he hasn’t fully realised the extent to which he could go, I suspect, why he hasn’t yet gone all out.
D and I cried suddenly had itchy eyes because to us, the advert was real. We’ve seen it for real. I’m not going to sit here and judge in a holier than thou fashion, and say that other parents should have children who behave like this. On the contrary; there are kids who are gorgeous and thoughtful and stunningly delightful in just about every way I could think of, and more. But. I love this advert for making me realise how beautiful Noah’s actions actually are. Seeing it on tv like that, not necessarily enhanced, just condensed, gave D and I a very real snapshot of what we live with.
Cheesy? Possibly. Fairytale? Maybe.
All very real to us though.
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Wow, I would not have though this ad could cause such divsion.
I saw the ad on sunday and I thought 'awww how sweet'. Sure we don't all have lives this, fairytale perhaps but there are eleements that we can aspire to. For example I thought it was a clever way to show kids that Xmas does not have to be all about them and they should think of their parents. Hubby saw it too. He chuckled and said ' can you see our one doing that?' My son is one but its my aim as he grows to teach him to share and consider people. As just as important parents like gifts too ;0)
When I saw the ad I thought it would be about a daddy returning home from his travels or such like (until I saw the bloke in it) so I admit when I saw the ending my immediate thought was "I WISH ! " I have three sons and two of them would NEVER behave in that way. Sad but true, my third son is totally like the little boy in the advert and so yes, these children really do exist.
I think the advert serves to show children (if you could get them to watch it) that christmas is also about giving and not just taking.
Great post xx
The ad made me get suddenly itchy eyes too, also I couldn't properly speak because I seemed to have got a swollen throat. I must have had some sort of random allergic reaction. yeah, that's why. *shifty eyes*
THANK YOU! Seriously I LOVE this advert. When it started I was really annoyed because it just seems that JL were pushing up the Kids can't wait for Christmas angle and that really annoyed me but then they turned it all around with the little boy wanting to give a gift to his parents and I cried.
This too is something that my children do. How? Well they have this thing called Granny who helps them when they want to get something secret for Mummy and Daddy. They save their money to buy gifts for each other, they keep gifts hidden until time to give them and most of all this advert is something we all tell our children what the season is about. About the giving not the receiving. Anyway. I'm off to find some swearing.
I've not seen that advert before reading this blog post and I'll admit I just cried a little. But my excuse is that I'm pregnant. I'm meant to cry at things like this. I think it's a lovely advert though and can't see why anyone would be so cynical about it. And for the record, practically it could have happened. A grandparent, childminder or someone could have helped with picking the present etc. And there are also children as lovely and thoughtful as this. I know my daughter loves picking out and giving presents to people and she's only three.
I think the advert is very sweet and a good chance for parents to start a conversation about Christmas being also about giving and making other people happy .Grans and aunties across the land help children buy gifts for their parents and when they are a bit older they do it themselves I can't believe some people saying it doesn't happen in their family, even a little drawing is a lovely gift to receive, Your little Noah sounds wonderful. I amazingly did not cry at the advert and I cry at the Andrex puppy!
It's no secret that I cry at pretty much anything. Hell, I had to stop watching Deal Or No Deal because my Other Half complained about coming home to me in tears every night. True story.
When I saw this for the first time I thought it was just the same old same old, kid excited for Christmas, kid wants *that* toy for Christmas, big yawn. But then when it got to the end my heart absolutely melted. I just didn't see it coming at all. And yes, I blubbed. And have blubbed every time that I have seen it since because it is such a lovely sentiment. Schmaltzy or not I love it and it is what Christmas is meant to be about. Or at least I think it is!
awww that's adorable. I love the advert too and I don't think it's fairytale parenting at all, most kids (imo) are desperate to give presents that they've chosen, show things they're proud of and share with those they love