Whether you spend Christmas Day in your PJs, rewatch the same Christmas film every year or make your family put on matching festive jumpers, so many of us have traditions that are part of our annual celebrations. For its 2023 Christmas advert, John Lewis is spotlighting just that – the joy of old and new festive traditions. As well as the unusual and unexpected.

At the heart of the advert is the story of a little boy and his family as he attempts to grow the ‘perfect Christmas tree’. However, that doesn’t quite go to plan, and he ends up growing a Venus flytrap.

This year, John Lewis is introducing a new festive character: Snapper, the “energetic and mischievous” flytrap. But as viewers will see in the ad, Snapper grows too big for the family’s home and is cast out into the cold.

With the tagline “let your traditions grow”, Snapper is quickly embraced back into family life in a sweet moment when the little boy runs out into the garden to give the plant a Christmas present. And the best part? You can buy your very own Snapper – the retailer has released its own merchandise, including cuddly toys and matching pyjamas.

The emotional but fun advert is soundtracked by musical legend Andrea Bocelli, who performs a song called Festa – which means ‘celebration’ – and is written and produced specifically for the retailer. The song has also been released as a standalone charity single with proceeds going to John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures charities.

Image: John Lewis