You may already have a friend who’s been counting down to Christmas since Boxing Day (I know I do), but now that we’re nearing December, ’tis the season – and part of the leadup to the big day and getting into the festive spirit is Christmas TV, particularly the adverts.

A staple of the countdown, each year, brands are going bigger and often sparklier, and we’re not complaining. From waiting patiently to see what the John Lewis advert has in store to watching in awe as Alison Hammond took on Christmas dinner for Sainsbury’s last year, these festive adverts are always such a treat.

Here, we’ve rounded up the brands that have already launched their Christmas adverts for 2023.

Featuring a family that’s getting into the Christmas spirit, Tesco’s advert sees a dad turn into a lit-up Christmas tree, a neighbour turn into a human snow globe and features delivery drivers with gingerbread legs – because why not?

With its famous yellow duffle bag, JD Sports is celebrating British youth culture in its 2023 advert, offering a “dynamic love letter” to younger generations. Its festive campaign also features a whole host of famous faces, including rappers Kano and Central Cee, singers Cat Burns and Nia Archives, and England Lioness Ella Toone.

This year, John Lewis is introducing a new festive character: Snapper, the energetic and mischievous flytrap. 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 Snapper.

Inspired by the Charlie And The Chocolate Factory story, Aldi’s Kevin the Carrot is back for another Christmas adventure alongside a whole host of new festive vegetable-inspired characters, including William Conker. In the gravy-filled wonderland, they all come together to embrace the kindness and generosity of Christmas, while having fun, of course. 

Against The Beatles’ In My Life, Amazon’s Christmas ad is an ode to female friendship and a reminder that having fun doesn’t have to stop at a certain age. The advert stars three older women who are life-long friends, reviving the joy of their youth by sledging down a snowy hill.

As busy shoppers get ready for the big day, a little girl steps up to the supermarket tannoy to ask an all-important question: “Hey Sainsbury’s, what does Santa eat for his Christmas dinner?” Sparking a flurry of gasps from across the store and Santa himself, Sainsbury’s workers step in to offer their suggestions of festive dishes, showstoppers and treats – including from pop legend Rick Astley.

Disney’s festive advert tells the stories of families from around the world who are united by a universal wish to be together with their loved ones during the holidays. It includes the song A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes from Disney’s Cinderella, sung in over 17 languages. The ad focuses on the power of wishes, taking inspiration from the upcoming Disney film Wish – set to be released in UK cinemas on 24 November.

Set to a rendition of Starship’s ballad Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now, oven gloves sing their support for hosts and help make the Christmas dinner one to remember. Throughout the Morrisons ad, trusty oven gloves that reside in kitchens up and down the country come alive to sing their support for hosts and chefs as they prepare their celebratory feasts on the big day.

Animals dressed in designer outfits? This is not your typical farm, that’s for sure. For its 2023 ad, TK Maxx’s tag line is ‘spoil all your loved ones for less’ with the 45-second clip featuring an array of farm animals in silk scarves, fluffy slippers and knitted jumpers.

Hannah Waddingham’s favourite season? Christmas, of course. As well as appearing in the M&S advert, the Ted Lasso actor is also the star of this year’s Baileys festive film. In the ad, we see her leading a choir (Gold Vocal Collective) ending with one simple question: “Baileys?”

With the instantly recognisable jingle, Coca Cola has unveiled its UK Christmas ad that focuses on a message of unity, happiness and the spirit of giving. It also signals the start of the festive Coca Cola trucks making their way round the nation, spreading fizzy cheer.

Set to Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough, Waitrose is ready to get into the party spirit and when Graham Norton arrives at your do, you know you have to pull out all the stops. Including Waitrose’s showstopper, the No.1 Golden Bûche de Noël.

Yes, Alison Hammond is back in her Christmas era. Debenhams’ Wonderland Is Waiting is a “place of enchanting possibilities that transform in front of your eyes.” With the help of Hammond, Lisa Snowdon, Sophie Habboo and TikTok viral dance sensations Brookie and Jessie, the retailer has created quite the festive scene featuring an array of brands that viewers can shop.

M&S Food has brought back Dawn French’s Fairy, who is now joined by two new characters for the season – the Mittens – voiced by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Named Left and Right, Fairy attempts to cheer up the Mittens after being separated from their child owner, Lilly, and getting lost in the snow. And the best news? An additional five 30-second episodes will be released over the festive period.

Lidl’s 2023 advert tells the story of a raccoon who goes above and beyond to make one little boy’s Christmas extra special. The advert kicks off the store’s annual toy bank appeal, which last year saw around 80,000 toys donated over the festive period. If you love this cute little raccoon, the supermarket will be selling toy versions of it (as well as the monkey featured in the advert) with all proceeds going to Neighbourly.

Set against the vocals of Ray BLK’s version of I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), the M&S advert is packed full of famous faces – including Hannah Waddingham, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tan France and Zawe Ashton – and encourages people to do what they want this Christmas. Chores? Hardly know them.

Asda has enlisted the help of none other than Mr Christmas himself, Micheal Bublé, for its new campaign Pop the Bublé! ,which officially launches on 4 November. But Asda has released a teaser video that includes Bublé singing the lyrics, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”

Going down the animation route, retailer Very has launched its Let’s Make it Sparkle festive campaign which follows three rather glam looking flamingos called Cherry, Kerry and Terry. Set against a remastered version of Girls Aloud’s Merry Christmas, Everybody, the three flamingos spread their Christmas cheer, joy – and sparkle, of course – to the town.

Is it Christmas if it doesn’t involve a bit of a boogie? Well, Argos certainly doesn’t think so. In its 2023 offering, Connie and Trev are back and the pair are filming quite the iconic dance routine (surrounded by a bunch of gifts) to Chic’s Le Freak.

Housing and homelessness charity Shelter has launched its Christmas campaign today, titled  Good As Gold. The advert follows Maddy and opens like a typical feel-good Christmas film in the style of warm-hearted TV ad campaigns before delivering an emotional ending. We see Maddy being as “good as gold” in the hope of being rewarded with the one thing she wants the most for Christmas: a home.

Shelter estimates that this year, over 131,000 children in England will wake up on Christmas day in temporary accommodation – something which its advert aims to highlight.

Image: Getty