John Lewis Christmas Advert

Christmas is commercialised - yes it really is. It doesn't mean that those of us who see the Christmas story as an essential part of celebrating can't continue to do that.

Elton donated £5m to charity as a result of this advert. what's not to appreciate. You don't have to admire Elton, or like his music to recognise that is a fair chunk of money that the charities wouldn't otherwise have received.

I'm waiting for the Bah Humbug approach to Christmas to hit me. Frankly my dears, I hope it never does.

I would think more of a company if they spent the money on children's charities, and showed the true spirit of Christmas.
Nobody needs to see these huge productions in order to buy presents.

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.

Janeainsworth what a great saying! I'll try and remember that.

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

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.

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

m.youtube.com/watch?v=mNbSgMEZ_Tw

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?

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

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

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.

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.

Bet everyone ends up singing the fab song.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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