Best Christmas advert in 2017: From John Lewis and Moz the Monster to M&S and Paddington Bear... which ad is your favourite?

Battle of the Christmas ads: Paddington Bear features in the M&S ad
PA
Alexandra Richards16 November 2017

Every year the retail giants battle it out for the title of best Christmas advert and this year is no exception.

M&S, John Lewis, Aldi, Boots and Debenhams all released adverts this week and the competition is tougher than ever.

Major retailers have used laughter, sadness and romance in the annual race to win the hearts and cash of the British public.

But is M&S's Paddington Bear more loveable than John Lewis's Joe and Moz the Monster? Or do you prefer the tale of two sisters and the importance of giving a "meaningful" Christmas gift from Boots?

The Evening Standard has done a round-up of the reaction to this year's major Christmas adverts released so far.

You can also have your say on which advert was your favourite by voting in our poll.

John Lewis

A young boy named Joe befriends Moz the Monster who comes out from under his bed in this two-minute advert set to a cover of Beatle's track Golden Slumbers by Elbow.

Together Joe and Moz get up to all sorts of mischief, playing in the boys bedroom into the small hours causing the seven year old to become very tired.

After a number of sleepless nights, Moz gives Joe a night light which when turned on causes the monster to disappear so Joe can get some sleep.

But, when the nightlight is switched off we hear Moz grunt which reassures the viewer that the unlikely friendship can go on.

The tagline for the advert is ““For gifts that brighten up their world”.

So far, the advert has divided opinion among viewers.

One user named Harry said: "You know it’s Christmas when the John Lewis advert debuts, also it’s so good this year!"

Jade Angel Wheelhouse said: “The new John Lewis Christmas advert is super cute #MozTheMonster #JohnLewisChristmasAdvert2017

Others were less impressed.

Belle on Twitter said: “The Joh Lewis Advert is such a let down”.

Many agreed it was not as good as last year.

Lauren said: “No John Lewis Christmas advert will ever beat last years #bustertheboxer

Marks & Spencer

The Marks and Spencer advert features the loveable Paddington Bear. During the ad, Paddington befriends a thief who is stealing Christmas presents after mistaking him for Santa.

Ever the hero, Paddington encourages the thief to return the presents, which he does.

The advert has gone down well on social media.

One person wrote: “The Marks and Spencer's Christmas advert is so good, omg”

Others said it was better than John Lewis’s advert.

“Marks and Spencer's Christmas advert is so good, defiantly out done John Lewis.”

The M&S ad sparked a Twitter storm when it was released earlier this week as many people on Twitter claimed to have heard the thief swear at Paddington bear.

One viewer wrote: "Cannot watch the Marks And Spencer advert without hearing "f**k you little bear"

M&S has clarified that this is not the case and that the thief was actually thanking the bear for encouraging him to return the presents.

Some people were sad that Mrs Clause who featured in last year’s advert did not make reappearance.

Natalie Jane Drury wrote: “Bit disappointed that no Mrs Claus this year in Marks and Spencer Christmas advert this year, Janet McTeer hope you will be back in the West End next year.”

Aldi

In the last few years, Aldi has made a play for the best Christmas. Last year, the nation fell in love with Kevin the carrot, this year he is back and he has a love interest.

The advert sees Kevin attempt to woo a female carrot named Katie, however some unlikely obstacles arise along the way.

Fans rejoiced at the return of Kevin to their screens.

Val Cossey wrote: “Kevin the carrot is the best Christmas advert #Aldi”

Another person wrote: “The Aldi Kevin the Carrot advert is going to be a tough one to beat in my eyes this Christmas”.

The hashtag Kevin and Kate began to trend on Twitter as members of the public rooted for the two carrots to get together.

Lisa Terry wrote: “Loving Kevin & Katie, let's hope they get married, have a bunch of baby carrots and live happily ever after #KevinandKatie

However not everyone was impressed by the advert.

Ryan Johnson wrote: “Aldi's Christmas advert is about as cheap as the stock”.

Boots

This year, Boots went down the nostalgic route with their advert with a trip down memory lane for two sisters called Ruth and Sarah.

The end of the advert sees Sarah give Ruth the perfect Christmas gift and the tag line is “show them you know them.”

It immediately began trending on Twitter with siblings celebrating each other all over the UK.

Another user wrote: ”I prefer the #Boots Christmas advert this year! "

Debenhams

Debenhams told a modern fairy tale this this year. The retail giant's ad featured a man called Josh and a woman named Ellie who meet on a train. Before the man can ask the woman her name, she gets off the train but loses her high heel on the way.

Over the course of the ad we see Josh use Twitter and even local papers to track down Ellie.

At the end of the advert, fate kicks in and the pair are reunited.

Ewan McGregor makes a cameo appearance in the ad.

The hashtags “You shall” and “Find my shoe” quickly began to trend on Twitter as people discussed the advert.

Tracey Tanner wrote: ”Love love love the #findmyshoe advert! @Debenhams."

One user named Ryan claimed that the advert was his favourite.

But not everyone was impressed with viewer Sasha Remond writing: “Well the Debenhams Christmas advert is shockingly bad”.

10 November 2017

Users are wondering how the ad cost £7million. 

10 November 2017

Twitter certainly has opinions on where the £7million used to make the advert could have been spent ... 

10 November 2017

Haven't watched the advert yet? Watch it here and read all about our reaction to it. 

10 November 2017

While reactions to the advert are hit and miss, everyone can agree that Elbow's song is a banger. 

10 November 2017

Meg's having a rough day. 

10 November 2017

If you're not currently having an opinionated discussion about the John Lewis advert then you are missing out. 

10 November 2017

Have M&S taken the crown this year? 

10 November 2017

Let the Gif games begin.

10 November 2017

Over on Twitter, the UK is divided as ever - although this person thinks it's the only thing keeping Christmas together.

10 November 2017

It's here! Take your first look at John Lewis' hotly anticipated 2017 Christmas advert. 

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