Man as a kid growing up it seems we had the best Christmas commercials. Nowadays, all the Christmas commercials suck. Nothing makes me feel the joy of the holidays and all that warm fuzziness of childhood.
But what of those classic, amazing commercials? Those were the days! In fact sometimes a commercial comes along that is so classic and awesome it sticks around forever. I thought I’d put together a collection of some of the best Christmas commercials to take you back down memory lane. These are in no order as it would be impossible to rank some of these classics. Big thanks to my brother too, who is much better at remembering things like this. So without further ado…
Honey Nut Cheerios (Scrooge) (1989)
This one was at one time one of the longest running ads. I think it’s since been put out to pasture but who can pass up using Dickens classic story to sell some stuff. Seems kind of ironic now that I think about it.
Duracell Rudolph (1990)
You gotta love the almost non-functioning animatronics and the voice over work in this classic. Back in the day I feel like we saw a lot of battery commercials. Energizer, Duracell etc. Now battery commercials scare you into thinking your child is going to get abducted. Also, gotta love the “battery tester” that came on the box. Those things never worked, and were everywhere.
Folgers: Peter Comes Home (1985)
This one is a classic for sure. The older brother coming home from god knows where. Family gathers around the tree. Red and Green Folgers cans. Companies knew how to tug at your heart strings back in the day. They tried to remake it and it sucked. Not as classic and not as good.
McDonalds: Runaway (1993?)
Talk about tuggin’ at the heart strings. Who didn’t want to runaway from home at one point? Plus this was back in the day when McDonalds wasn’t evil. Or at least people weren’t so adamant about protesting McDonalds. Listen, if you’re one of those people who loves telling people how bad McDonalds is, and how long it’s been since you’ve eaten there, you need to runaway…off the planet…forever. #loveyoumickeyds
Coca-Cola: Polar Bears, and Santa Packs (Mid 90’s)
Coke always crushed it when it came time for Christmas. The polar bear commercials went well into the early 2000’s and that first one was when computer animation was just starting to bust onto the scene. Also, does anyone else remember “Santa Packs”? The Holidays Are Coming was replaced with Santa Packs Are Coming, and man my brother and I used to collect those Santa Packs and Cans, and even would fight over them sometimes. Yeah, I’ve been a nerd all my life, what about it?
Burger King: Toy Story Puppets (1995)
Nothing was bigger in the mid 90’s than Toy Story. I saw that movie in the theaters twice and I wasn’t even 10 yet. Then all the merchandise blew up. I can say I collected all 4 of these puppets and still probably have them in a box somewhere at my parents house. I remember specifically wanting Buzz Lightyear and having to have it as soon as I saw this commercial. Probably put up quite a whining tantrum to get it.
M&M’s: He Does Exist (1996)
It’s crazy that this commercial has been airing every year for nearly 20 years! Classic, yes. Funny, yes. Short and to the point, yes. Three things that will keep your commercial airing year after year.
Fruity Pebbles: Ho Ho Ho I’m Hun Hun Hungry (1989)
Classic, but not well remembered. You gotta love when a commercial tries to teach you the reason for Christmas. Also, not quite sure, but since the Flintstones were supposed to be cavemen, wouldn’t they have been around before Jesus so there wouldn’t have been a Christmas. Hey, just saying. Still this commercial instantly takes me back.
Corona: Oh Tannenpalm (1990)
This commercial is celebrating 25 years on TV. It is the longest running beer ad on TV currently and the second longest running Christmas commercial. It’s simple, and you don’t need a bunch of people talking. Wouldn’t be Christmas without seeing it.
Campbell’s Soup: Let It Snowman (1993)
This one is so much of my childhood it’s not even funny. I can remember as a kid coming home from sledding and what not and having my mom put some soup and a grill cheese on for me. Best memories right there. I guess technically it isn’t a “Christmas” commercial, but it is a classic winter commercial and I’m pretty sure they only aired it during Christmas time. Unfortunately I don’t see this one anymore. But it always will be in the pantheon of awesome Christmas commercials.
Hershey Kisses: Bell Choir (1989)
This is the longest running Hershey ad, and the longest running Christmas ad. 26 years going strong. The thing is, I see this one going forever. It’s short, it doesn’t require any updating and it’s memorable by this point. Along with Corona, this ad makes Christmas. To me, I know it must be the holiday season once I’ve seen this classic.
Did we leave one out? What are some of your favorite Christmas commercials? Tweet or Facebook us with some of your classics we may have forgot.
