John Lewis Christmas Advert

This reminded me---- For her 4th birthday, my daughter received a very small, plastic, red piano with instructions on how to play the "Alphabet song".
She learnt her alphabet and also went on to play the keyboard and guitar very well.
So that present really did lead on to greater things.

Good old Lidl!

Very clever ad from Lidl with the song line "It's a lidl bit funny ..."

They were quick off the mark. Love it!

I haven't seen the advert as yet but I guess with his final tour coming up----------------

Very dissapointed. I got the message ( eventually) but did they really need EJ for that? Just good publicity and an ego massage for him I think.

Well, it's all over the media today and if it's got people talking and also he's giving his fee to charity, what's to complain about?

I watched it with one of my adult children. We're softies and both welled up. she then googled our local buy and swop page and found a piano for one of hers, for about £100. That small child 'plays' the piano at one of his other grans, he sings along and also helps his daddy 'play' guitar, whilst singing along. One of this other grans teaches music and reckons he is talented. He certainly loves music, dancing, singing and 'playing' any instrument he can get his hands on.
So maybe this advert means we have a budding Elton in the family (well ok, maybe not an Elton).
As sparkle fizz says, its got people talking, he's giving his fee to charity, it may get people reflecting on the possible impact of gifts, whats not to enjoy? Incidentally, I was always given a number of books for 'Christmas as a child. I still look forward to getting books as gifts.

Very clever ad from Lidl with the song line "It's a lidl bit funny ..."
Sparklefizz very good

Having seen Elton during his 'final tour' of Australia I can confirm that he is a brilliant pianist, a class act and would put many other 70s year olds (me included) to shame with his energy, aside from his ability to entertain a huge audience of young and old alike.

an ego massage for him I think.
Sorry, I have to disagree as he is so well-known, definitely doesn't need the publicity and he was probably offered a huge fee which he has donated to charity.

and absolutely doesn't need the publicity with his final tour coming up either …….

But surely the same message could have been put across just as well without it being Elton John if it’s the message you’re liking
I m the worlds worst for crying at things but that one left me cold didn’t see anything moving about it at all

I still haven't seen it!

And you could say that JL has in effect donated £5m to charity by asking Elton to do the advert.

I love it!!

Give a child a meaningful present and you could change their life for ever.

I don't know if we did the same for our children but I hope so.

Just seen this on telly. DH said, "Is he dead or something?"

Just seen the ad, I have to say it left me cold, sorry Elton fans.

Bet everyone ends up singing the fab song.

But surely the same message could have been put across just as well without it being Elton John if it’s the message you’re liking

So using an unknown actor, giving him or her a piano for Christmas when he or her was a child would leave everyone scratching their heads in bemusement.
"What, why, never heard of him anyway, what was the significance of the piano?"

Ah well, even if I didn't like Elton John, I could still see the meaning of the message.

Don't give tat, give something meaningful, something to encourage a child's talents.

he or she, sorry

Perhaps I should have been given Eats Shoots and Leaves for Christmas, but it wasn't published when I was a child.

Oh I think it is just lovely, I must be easily pleased

Gonegirl your husbands reaction was my first thought too

Yes I think they could have made an equally interstesting story around a child, without it being his story I certainly understand the message but don’t get to feel all Christmassy when I see it in fact I find it truely underwhelming

Still haven’t seen it, but haven’t liked JL ads for the last few years.
Will it make anyone loyal to the JL brand do you think?
Does seeing an actual product have more impact on buying?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=mNbSgMEZ_Tw

no doubt there will be a spoof one aired before too long

I don't really like Elton John, or his music, but two messages that came across to me - firstly that one worthwhile gift is better than a load of tat that's going to end up in landfill, and secondly that a child's interest in music is something to be nurtured and cherished.
It reminded me of something a wise headteacher (of the village school in Cumbria that my DCs went to) once said - that children's minds weren't vessels to be filled, but lamps to be lit.

how much is a piano from JL?

Ah, I found one for £15!
www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-my-first-piano/p231202161

Sigh of relief