John Lewis Christmas Ad

[Dominic]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw1Y-zh ... e=youtu.be

Not very Christmassy really, is it? If people moan about the word "Easter" falling off Easter Egg boxes, why doesn't anybody complain about ads like this, which manage to promote Christmas without once mentioning the birth of Christ?

[William Morris]

Complain?? We are not allowed to complain, I think it may actually be unlawful but don't quote me on that.

We are not allowed to mention the birth of "you know who" in case it upsets a certain portion of the population. Everything has to be kept as neutral as possible. Festive holidays, winter holidays, etc.

Nativity plays at schools, carol singing, christingle service ..... all a thing of the past, sadly.

Still, we move with the times, which is the most important thing, apparently.

[Dominic]

Sorry but I disagree. If John Lewis thought they would make more money from including religious references, you can bet they would. But the public don't want them, it would seem. I am sure if you sold two types of Christmas Cards, one religious, one festive, you would find the festive cards sell far more quickly.

It's easy to say that we don't want to offend a certain portion of the population, but that proportion (I assume you mean other religions) don't care. They care as much as the rest of us care about how they celebrate Ramadan, Diwali or what have you.

And of course people can complain. That is my whole point. People were complaining about the loss of the word "Easter" from Easter Eggs.

[Biddy]

Many years ago I worked at John Lewis. Personally I find it obscene that they and other large companies spend millions of pounds on Christmas advertising when there are so many people struggling to keep their heads above water. The advertising doesn’t work on me, I shop at small independent shops and refuse to buy anything from these big corporate companies particularly at Christmas. It was only earlier this year that John Lewis reduced the bonuses to their “Partners” to 7% stating they needed to tighten their belts and plan for an uncertain economic future. Incidentally I find the advert rubbish.

[William Morris]

Domonic,

Of course you are absolutely correct in what you say. I was being flippant.

When someone in the media starts saying things about being politically correct, etc they are usually only saying it for their own benefit. They never actually go out and ask people what they think, that would be beneath them.

From my own personal point of view, I could not care less about other religions, their practices or holidays. So why should they care about ours. Several Hindus and Sikhs that I know actually join in the Christmas event, they think it is amazing.

As a festival, however, the Winter Solstice festival pre dates the Christmass holidays by several centuries and it is from that PAGAN festival that we get most of our holiday ideas. Trees, holly, presents, decorations all come from earlier festivities.

This particular advert is probably the brain child of a newly appointed junior member of staff straight out of college full of fancy ideas but in reality does not have a clue. The only reference to Christmas he or she has probably comes from YouTube.

I will never watch this advert or any of the others, they are all ridiculous.

Roll on Easter.

Or should I say Spring Holiday.

[Dominic]

Let's hear it for Whitsun!

[LouiseCastricum]

I loved this one. An ad with a message! It had over 60 million views.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6-0kYhqoRo

[Mrblobby]

Always good to hear a Beatles song put to a new advert . Mind you Macca did nick most of the words from a poem written in 1600 ,
Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty wantons; do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.
Care is heavy, therefore sleep you;
You are care, and care must keep you;
Sleep, pretty wantons; do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

The advert features a good version by a group called Elbow , who I have never heard of .

[STELIOSBWFC]

Domonic,

Of course you are absolutely correct in what you say. I was being flippant.

When someone in the media starts saying things about being politically correct, etc they are usually only saying it for their own benefit. They never actually go out and ask people what they think, that would be beneath them.

From my own personal point of view, I could not care less about other religions, their practices or holidays. So why should they care about ours. Several Hindus and Sikhs that I know actually join in the Christmas event, they think it is amazing.

As a festival, however, the Winter Solstice festival pre dates the Christmass holidays by several centuries and it is from that PAGAN festival that we get most of our holiday ideas. Trees, holly, presents, decorations all come from earlier festivities.

This particular advert is probably the brain child of a newly appointed junior member of staff straight out of college full of fancy ideas but in reality does not have a clue. The only reference to Christmas he or she has probably comes from YouTube.

I will never watch this advert or any of the others, they are all ridiculous.

Roll on Easter.

Or should I say Spring Holiday.

Do not watch it then. I had a great childhood and get it. At 48 it made me smile.

[William Morris]

Stelios, that is what I said. I will not watch it.

I am happy that you had a great childhood.

[travellin'gal]

Louise - I don't know whether to feel sad or joyful about that ad! Makes you think though.......

[Mrblobby]

So did John Lewis nick this idea ?