Christmas ads

If it highlights the plight of old people being lonely at Christmas, or at any time of the year, it has served a purpose.

Personally, I think I would prefer to see something more joyful at this time of the year, maybe a lonely elderly person being welcomed into a family at Christmas and having a happy time with them. It's more inclusive that way.

I too thought he was the man on the moon and didn't realize he was a grandparent until they analyzed it on This Morning. I would imagine that some grandparents will feel that they may as well live on the moon if they are by themselves at Christmas. I prefer happier adverts but if it makes even one family think about elderly relatives at Christmas then it's a good thing.

Sorry, but I wasn't at all impressed. It gives the message that he's a dear old man half a world away and it's OK to be mawkish and send him beautifully wrapped presents, but at the end, he's still alone. Plus the fact that it cost £7 million to make - just think what could be done with that to alleviate poverty, disease, homelessness, etc. OK, I know it's not going to happen, but the whole thing just seems all wrong. Is John Lewis trying to hijack Christmas?

Think the ad is awful. Trying to make people feel guilty to make them spend money in John Lewis

I won't be watching it again if I can help it. It's just so sad, yes I'm crying.

I agree with most people, that when all the gaiety has disappeared and everyone has gone back to living their lives, he is still a lonely old man.

I think it's more a call to communicate with your lonely relatives NOT JUST at Christmas but all year.

I don't think this ad is one of their best and didn't watch This Morning annemac but I thought, just my opinion, it was made quite clear he was the man in the moon rather than a grandparent. And at the end the message on the bottom of the screen is reach out to someone at Christmas. Where it seems to have come unstuck is where GC have been told by their parents their much missed Grandad or Grandma is now on a star, on the moon.
I think they also played it safe with the little girl befriending the man on the moon because of the near hysteria at times, sadly. An elderly person sitting on a park bench near a children's playground being asked to move was one story I'd read recently, admittedly it was I think in the Daily Mail who love to sensationalise, but smiling at a child on a bus, a train, completely innocent behaviour can be unwelcome nowadays.

I don't care about adverts but my new Belling cooker from JL is rubbish and I'm very disappointed.

It was too long and rambling and didn't make its point pithily enough. Also it cost an obscene amount of money, a fraction of which could be used effectively by charities working for the elderly or anyone else in need. Also dislike an advertisement pretending to be altruistic. Time JL got a new ad agency.

I don't like this at all. Agree with the other comments that if this is in partnership with AgeUK the it should be more relevant to all the lonely people here not on the flipping moon! Why couldn't JL donate the £7 million it took to make the advert to AgeUK instead and really make a difference to older people living alone.

Totally agree. So so long as he gets one present, everybody can celebrate Christmas without him

I love this ad. I have a DS, DiL and DGC. 'half a world away' so it certainly touches me. Reminds us all to reach out to others too. At least John Lewis bring a bit of class into Christmas advertising. (Unlike Ant and Dec last year with their 'be my guest' guff last year for Morrisons).

Ads like this and threads like this bring out my inner Victoria Meldrew.

(at maisieD)

I must admit I haven't seen it on the actual telly yet. Perhaps it didn't come across quite as intended on a mini iPad screen. Maybe I will give it another chance before I go to war on Twitterdom (which can be a v scary place)

I guess he is supposed to be the man on the moon. And there ain't no way anyone can take him in on Xmas Day.

Agree totally Indinana. Not a good ad compared to last year and esp hard to top the bear and the hare. All these ads of 'happy'families at christmas when the reality is so different with divorces skyhigh and dysfunctional familes all over.
It is hard getting old and lonliness is year round not just for Christmas!!! Get a dog if youve no family!!!

7 million pounds to promote their business. That's what John lewis advert is. Joining up with age concern was a good tactical move

Call me hard-hearted but this advert leaves me cold. If anything it's a bit creepy: a young girl giving an old man a telescope so he can look at her. I don't know how much these adverts cost to produce but I would have preferred a simple shot of a Christmas card with the words "From John Lewis To Age UK £1 million - Happy Christmas".

Depressing!
Very disappointed in JLP.

I thought it was dreadful and dreary and I will switch over every time I have the misfortune to see it come on TV. I love the more amusing ads if we get any this year. That isn't to deny that we have a problem with lonely old people at Christmas. My family live abroad and only come home every 2 Christmases, but this ad didn't make me think sad thoughts about that.

Being a bit dense, at first glance I thought maybe he was dead and the little girl was looking for him!!! Then realised it was the man on the moon and it was just portraying loneliness as far as I'm concerned..
I thought these ads were "feel good" factor. Not this one. Bring back the penguin!

I made the mistake of watching this ad in a taxi without tissues on me! Mad me weep. I think it's a very good reminder of elderly people spending Christmas alone.

God what a load of hard-hearted people have preceded me with their comments! It's just an ad!

It is just an ad, but a very depressing ad it has to be said.I wonder if only us old uns find it depressing though?What do Mumsnetters think.

It's all humbug. I'm off to sea the end of the month and hope it's all nearly over by the time I get back. Best wishes to all gransnetters. It's been a long haul since shopping for your mother with ration books in your bag but we are still here, keeping calm and carrying on. Good luck.

I haven't seen this one on the tele either. To me the main message is "Send a present to your elderly relative and pat yourself on the back - no need to do anything for them at Christmas. Oh, and make sure you spend a lot of money at JL."

Most of my family are about half an hour's drive away and won't even think about me at Christmas. I'll be taking care of myself, and the clients at the groups where I volunteer.