On a recent trip back home to Leeds, I was excited to see the start of the yearly roll out of the new Christmas adverts.

It has become somewhat of a loving tradition which never really seemed to take off here in the States, much like our other custom of the highly-anticipated “Christmas Episode” of our favorite television shows. The premiere of the new Christmas adverts has become an institution for us, probably similar to the commercials people wait to see during the Super Bowl.

Every year, we eagerly await each Christmas advertisement, like the popular Famous Grouse Whiskey adverts and the latest supermarket extravaganza! The classic 1995 Coca-Cola “The Holidays are Coming” Truck commercial is a must for us and has been airing for many years in the UK  (it has become so popular that Coca-Cola have the truck tour around the country for people to see), and it really helps us kick off the Christmas season. Some of these adverts have become like mini-movies, and you immediately get absorbed into their story.

This year, I was lucky enough to see many great ads but I have two that I would like to share with American audiences who would normally not have the chance to see them.

This week, I’d like to introduce you to the 2013 Marks & Spencers Christmas special entitled “Believe in Magic & Sparkle—Your M & S“, which pays homage to Alice and Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz at the same time, even with a little cameo from Helena Bonham Carter for good measure.

I think it’s lovely and hope you enjoy this little vignette as much as I do. Next week I will publish my personal favorite from this year that I hope you will also love  too.

Merry Christmas and enjoy!