LIDL has revealed its Christmas advert and unlike competitors, the supermarket has chosen to focus on a good cause.
This year the supermarket aims to embrace the spirit of Christmas whilst reminding viewers of the huge impact that small acts of kindness can have over the festive season.
The short clip charts the story of an adorable raccoon whose small gesture makes one little boy’s Christmas extra magical.
The advert entitled ‘A Magical Christmas with Lidl’s Christmas’ will premiere on TV tonight during Emmerdale.
The story begins when the raccoon looks curiously through a window to see a family excitedly decorating a Christmas tree – when the beloved family dog accidentally smashes the little boy’s favourite monkey Christmas decoration.
Wanting to cheer her son up, the boy’s mother picks up a cuddly toy while doing the weekly shop at Lidl, but accidentally drops it on the cycle home.
Having spotted the toy monkey stranded in the cold snow the raccoon jumps into action and crosses the city by any means possible.
We see the little raccoon climb road signs, ride the tube, and sail on a log across a river all to reach the family home and put the toy under the Christmas tree.
After the boy is reunited with his cuddly friend, the family dog brings out some festive treats with the friendly protagonist as a thank you.
We get to see a glimpse of some of the festive food Lidl has on offer from their Christmas menu at the end of the clip when we see the whole family sitting down for a Christmas meal.
Lidl has loads on offer this year from hampers to advent calendars to fruitful and festive party snacks.
Fans took to X, formerly Twitter to applaud the new advert with many claiming it was better than M&S’s recently released Christmas advert.
One user said: “This is how you do a Christmas Ad promoting love, happiness and kindness to everyone, animals included.”
Another said: “At last a Christmas advert that actually captures the spirit of Xmas. I will be walking past M&S on my way to Lidl today.”
A third user said: “A good advert. Thoughtful of the situations some people are living with.”
“Sharing the joy with what family you have without the need to spend thousands. Oh, and no celebrity is to be paid a huge sum to do it,” they added.
Lidl has said from today customers can drop off new and unopened toys and games to Lidl’s Toybank and they will be gifted to children who need support in their local area.
Donations can be anything from toys, to games or books, puzzles, and arts and crafts, for a range of ages.
Peter de Roos, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, says of the campaign: “At Christmas, there’s nothing more magical than seeing the joy a gift can bring to a child, and we want to help make sure this joy reaches all families.
“Our hope is that by bringing back the toy donation points we are making it easier, for those customers who can, to donate directly to local good causes by giving them a small way to make a real difference and help those that need it the most.”
Both the raccoon and the monkey from Lidl’s Christmas advert will also be available to purchase as a plush cuddly toy in store.
This is the first time the supermarket has chosen to do but it has said that all the proceeds will be going to Neighbourly charity.
In other news, the new Waitrose Christmas advert features festive moments we can all relate to and it stars beloved chat show host.
The M&S Christmas advert revealed starring A-list Hollywood actors but definitely not how you know them.
Asda’s amusing Christmas advert teaser features iconic jazz and soul singer.
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