While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, the holiday season is so much more than hanging mistletoe, baking cookies, or finding the perfect gift. In these top 5 Christmas ads of 2024, companies remind us of the importance of human connection during the most wonderful time of the year.

5. Deutsche Telecom: Bubbles

Featuring two elf girls who become friends despite being separated by an invisible wall, this touching advertisement reminds viewers that we often share more commonalities with those “on the other side” than we think.

4. Shutterfly: Make Something That Means Something

Sometimes Christmas gifts are great, and sometimes they’re just… random. From thingamabobs you don’t have space for to doodads with neither use nor beauty, random gifts have plagued us all. In this ad, Shutterfly highlights the scourge of meaningless gifts and points to a better way forward.

3. Etsy: Who’s Waldo?

With his red hat, candy-cane striped shirt, and glasses, Waldo is somewhat of a pop icon. Countless people across the world have searched for him in a crowd, trying to see if they can find where he is.

But who is he?

In this ad, Etsy explores the idea of what it means to truly know someone – and what they would like for Christmas.

2. Babybel: The Big Cheesemas Delivery

This Christmas, Babybel has a secret. A big, cheesy secret that is rolling its way into a supermarket near you. With two extremely dedicated security guards and a style channeling the energy of The Office, this ad delivers so much more than cheese.

1. Waitrose: Sweet Suspicion  

When the pudding goes missing in the middle of Christmas dinner, it can only mean one thing: there’s a thief in the family.

In this two-part whodunit, David (played by Matthew McFayden) is on the case to discover which disgruntled relative loves Waitrose’s Red Velvet Bauble Dessert so much that they were willing to steal it.

A Waitrose Mystery – Part 1:

A Waitrose Mystery – Part 2:

Honorable Mention – Suchard Chocolate: Martin, A Christmas Story

Who wouldn’t love the story of a lonely robot finding a new friend on Christmas? While this ad definitely seems to have borrowed ideas from Wall-E, we’re here for it. And the chocolate.