This year's most popular Christmas ads have chosen a simpler theme. Suzy Griffin writes.

Let's all watch it together

"My grandad, because he's just come out of hos-tipal" - this is just one of the wholesome lines from the children featured in this year's The Late Late Toy Show promo.

Entitled 'Let's all watch it together', this year's theme is a little less elaborate than previous years, choosing to focus on one simple and beautiful message. Featuring a mix of equally adorable children listing the loved ones they intend to sit down and watch the Late Late Toy Show with, the ad steps away from talking about toys, TVs, or stuff and focuses on the simple act of togetherness.

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The List

Michelle Graham-Clare, McDonald's Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer is quoted over the weekend with: "We know this Christmas isn't going to be a normal one for many families across the UK and Ireland", which explains why their Christmas offering The List is, "all about celebrating the little things after a year where household finances have been put under enormous strain."

The ad features a boy called Alfie who gets carried away with writing his Christmas list. As his list gets longer and longer, his mum is seen panicking and mentally ticking off her own to-do list ahead of the big day. As both mum and son continue to get swept up in the anticipation, Alfie is left devastated when his list - now very long and full of presents - gets blown away in the wind.

It ends with Alfie clinging on to the only scrap of paper left in his hand, a drawing of him in the middle of his mum and dad, reminding them of what really matters.

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Send from the Heart. Send Love.

This year's An Post Christmas ad features the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Lyra and is gaining a lot of love online already.

Taking inspiration from the much-loved novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the ad features the iconic Tin Man character who goes on a journey in search of a heart. Beautifully shot, the video brings another dimension to a simple Christmas message.

Send from the Heart. Send Love sees the Tin Man unable to get into the Christmas spirit until he receives a simple 'heart' card that he can lock away in place of a real heart. The campaign highlights the joy and connection that can be delivered by sending a simple card 'from the heart'.

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Joy For All

The Boots Christmas ad, although a lot more glamorous than the above offerings, still focuses on the simple theme: Joy For All.

The campaign does a great job of making fun of the different gifts - large and, indeed, very small - that can bring different characters joy. From a bottle of bubble bath to a picture of a beloved pet dog, joy can come in the simple things and doesn't always have to cost the earth at Christmas.

Starring BAFTA nominated actress Lydia West and set to the track You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates, the film tells the story of Holly who finds a pair of magical spectacles on the bus, allowing her to see what brings people joy whenever she wears them.

The Beginner

Perhaps the most anticipated video of the season, the John Lewis Christmas ad is a firm favourite among viewers. For 2022, the brand has gone back to basics with something completely different from last year's big-budget production that told the story of an alien crash-landing on earth.

This year's theme focuses on children in care and tells the story of a middle-aged man’s efforts to bond with his new foster daughter, Ellie. Ahead of her arrival, the man is determined to learn his way around a skateboard so that the two will have a shared interest.

The heart-warming ad shows his determination to find common ground despite plenty of bumps along the way. The story unfolds beautifully with the surprise arrival of a nervous teenager at the end, once again reminding us of the importance of being happy together during what can be a beautiful but difficult time for some.

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Merry Christmas!