[imagesource: YouTube / John Lewis]

How do you know when Christmas is approaching?

For me, it’s that feeling of total and complete burnout that sets in around early November, along with the first inklings of Christmas carols in malls.

Throw in some Mariah Carey and you have yourself a party.

There’s also the John Lewis ad, which usually manages to grab headlines around the world.

2017’s ‘Moz the Monster’ was generally spoken about for all of the wrong reasons. 2018’s #EltonJohnLewis and 2019’s ‘Excitable Edgar’ were well received.

2020 was a year we should all forget, so I’ll go ahead and get to current day and ‘Unexpected Guest’.

The ad has been released two weeks earlier than usual, reports The Independent:

The two-minute film, titled “Unexpected Guest” sees the arrival of Skye, an alien being who crash lands in the woods somewhere in rural Britain. She is discovered by Nathan, a young boy who introduces himself with his light-up Christmas jumper.

According to John Lewis, these were all moments that customers have been craving after being unable to celebrate with loved ones last year. The advert aims to offer a sense of “togetherness and escapism”, as well as “celebrate the magic of Christmas moments experienced for the first time”.

South Africans can relate, as the second COVID-19 wave swept through the country in mid-December and curtailed many Christmas gathering plans.

Let’s all take two minutes to feel the end-of-year spirit:

Aside from the rampant commercialisation of the holiday and all, that was touching in parts.

Maybe that’s my burnout talking.

Hang in there, and may Mariah Carey take mercy on us all as we head deeper into Christmas territory.

[source:independent]