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Let’s face it: if you haven’t done your holiday shopping yet, you are procrastinator. Now, believe me, I don’t mean that as an insult. I’m still adding presents to my Amazon shopping cart, and I’m very thankful for Prime at this point in my life.
Nevertheless, we are still in the heart of the holiday commercial season, which traditionally extends an uncomfortable amount of days after all of the festivities have wrapped up. I’m not entirely sure how ad purchasing works, but I know we’ll always see a few kids on TV opening presents on January 2.
Don’t confuse my tone with displeasure. I love holiday commercials. If done right, they’re warm and cozy and happy and wonderful. The traditional themes of the holidays—family, giving, charity, etc—create just the right formula for a great advertisement.
Here are some of the best holiday commercials of all time:
The Budweiser Clydesdales originated in 1933 as a gift to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. Soon, August Anheuser Busch, Sr. recognized the advertising potential of the horse-drawn beer wagon and sent the horses on a nationwide tour.
The Clydesdales quickly became a staple of the Budweiser brand and traditionally appeared during the Super Bowl and in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Budweiser also launched a series of holiday-themed Clydesdales commercials, and the arrival of the Clydesdales began to mark the beginning of the holiday season on TV.
2. The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) ) “Holidays Are Coming” Trucks
Coca-Cola launched this series of advertisements in 1995, and they quickly became a signifier of the Christmas season. Decked out in holiday lights, Coca-Cola trucks cruise through the countryside as a catchy tune proclaims that the “Holidays are coming.”
These commercials have everything you need in a holiday ad. The combination of music and imagery sets the seasonal tone and puts a smile on the viewers face. The Coca-Cola truck is one of the more recognizable features of one of the world's most recognizable brands, and they look even better with a holiday twist. Also, honorable mention goes out to the Coca-Cola Polar Bears.
3. J.M. Smucker Company (SJM - Free Report) ) Folgers Coffee “Peter Comes Home For Christmas”
First airing in 1986, well before the J.M. Smucker Company bought Folgers in 2008, the “Peter Comes Home For Christmas” television advertisements perfectly capture what makes the holidays so great. Peter, a college student, returns home from school on Christmas morning to a happy family and a nice warm drink.
Peter's younger sister is excited to greet him, but Peter wakes up the rest of the family with the smell of fresh coffee. In the background, a special version of the iconic Folgers theme song plays, reminding us of the brand behind the commercial. This version ran for nearly 20 years and became a holiday tradition. Folgers has also updated the commercial in recent years.
In the scope of the holiday tradition, Black Friday is still a pretty new thing. Target was able to jump on the bandwagon pretty early with its line of Black Friday commercials that poke fun at the competitive nature of the day. While the stereotypical “crazy” Black Friday trope might seem played out now, Target really nailed it before everyone else.
Target has always been one of the go-to Black Friday stores, so it makes sense that the company would play to that in its advertisements. While the other commercials we've highlighted work to announce the holiday season on their own, Black Friday is itself a mark of the holiday shopping season, so these ads are even more topical.
5. Hallmark Hanukkah Commercial
In Adam Sandler’s infamous “Hanukkah Song,” the comedian belts out what is supposed to be a comforting hymn for Jewish children who feel left out during the holiday season. In a more serious tone, Hallmark perfectly appeals to those who celebrate Hanukkah this time of year in this commercial.
Using the always-touching “Old man tells story to kids” trope, Hallmark paints a vivid picture of a memory of a Hanukka past. Just when you think it can’t get any more emotional, it all comes back around for the tearjerker ending.
Bottom Line
The holidays might be the only time of the year where you don't want to fast forward through all of the commercials. Retailers live or die by holiday sales, so it becomes imperative that they put out their best advertising work for the season. While some fall flat, others end up being some of the best commercials of all time.
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The Best Christmas and Holiday Commercials Ever
Let’s face it: if you haven’t done your holiday shopping yet, you are procrastinator. Now, believe me, I don’t mean that as an insult. I’m still adding presents to my Amazon shopping cart, and I’m very thankful for Prime at this point in my life.
Nevertheless, we are still in the heart of the holiday commercial season, which traditionally extends an uncomfortable amount of days after all of the festivities have wrapped up. I’m not entirely sure how ad purchasing works, but I know we’ll always see a few kids on TV opening presents on January 2.
Don’t confuse my tone with displeasure. I love holiday commercials. If done right, they’re warm and cozy and happy and wonderful. The traditional themes of the holidays—family, giving, charity, etc—create just the right formula for a great advertisement.
Here are some of the best holiday commercials of all time:
1. Anheuser-Busch (BUD - Free Report) ) Holiday Clydesdales
The Budweiser Clydesdales originated in 1933 as a gift to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. Soon, August Anheuser Busch, Sr. recognized the advertising potential of the horse-drawn beer wagon and sent the horses on a nationwide tour.
The Clydesdales quickly became a staple of the Budweiser brand and traditionally appeared during the Super Bowl and in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Budweiser also launched a series of holiday-themed Clydesdales commercials, and the arrival of the Clydesdales began to mark the beginning of the holiday season on TV.
2. The Coca-Cola Company (KO - Free Report) ) “Holidays Are Coming” Trucks
Coca-Cola launched this series of advertisements in 1995, and they quickly became a signifier of the Christmas season. Decked out in holiday lights, Coca-Cola trucks cruise through the countryside as a catchy tune proclaims that the “Holidays are coming.”
These commercials have everything you need in a holiday ad. The combination of music and imagery sets the seasonal tone and puts a smile on the viewers face. The Coca-Cola truck is one of the more recognizable features of one of the world's most recognizable brands, and they look even better with a holiday twist. Also, honorable mention goes out to the Coca-Cola Polar Bears.
3. J.M. Smucker Company (SJM - Free Report) ) Folgers Coffee “Peter Comes Home For Christmas”
First airing in 1986, well before the J.M. Smucker Company bought Folgers in 2008, the “Peter Comes Home For Christmas” television advertisements perfectly capture what makes the holidays so great. Peter, a college student, returns home from school on Christmas morning to a happy family and a nice warm drink.
Peter's younger sister is excited to greet him, but Peter wakes up the rest of the family with the smell of fresh coffee. In the background, a special version of the iconic Folgers theme song plays, reminding us of the brand behind the commercial. This version ran for nearly 20 years and became a holiday tradition. Folgers has also updated the commercial in recent years.
4. Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) ) Black Friday Ads
In the scope of the holiday tradition, Black Friday is still a pretty new thing. Target was able to jump on the bandwagon pretty early with its line of Black Friday commercials that poke fun at the competitive nature of the day. While the stereotypical “crazy” Black Friday trope might seem played out now, Target really nailed it before everyone else.
Target has always been one of the go-to Black Friday stores, so it makes sense that the company would play to that in its advertisements. While the other commercials we've highlighted work to announce the holiday season on their own, Black Friday is itself a mark of the holiday shopping season, so these ads are even more topical.
5. Hallmark Hanukkah Commercial
In Adam Sandler’s infamous “Hanukkah Song,” the comedian belts out what is supposed to be a comforting hymn for Jewish children who feel left out during the holiday season. In a more serious tone, Hallmark perfectly appeals to those who celebrate Hanukkah this time of year in this commercial.
Using the always-touching “Old man tells story to kids” trope, Hallmark paints a vivid picture of a memory of a Hanukka past. Just when you think it can’t get any more emotional, it all comes back around for the tearjerker ending.
Bottom Line
The holidays might be the only time of the year where you don't want to fast forward through all of the commercials. Retailers live or die by holiday sales, so it becomes imperative that they put out their best advertising work for the season. While some fall flat, others end up being some of the best commercials of all time.
Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet.
You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>