In a bold move away from the traditional tear-jerking Christmas advertisements, Tesco has launched its hilarious 2025 festive campaign, wholeheartedly embracing the chaotic reality of the holiday season. Published on November 13, 2025, the supermarket giant's new approach focuses on relatable, humorous moments that families across Britain will instantly recognise.
A Comedic Take on Festive Traditions
Instead of producing a single, emotionally charged film like many competitors, Tesco has opted for an episodic series of 11 brilliantly British sketches as part of their ‘That’s What Makes It Christmas’ campaign. The adverts move away from overly romanticised visions of the holidays, instead highlighting the awkward, funny, and perfectly imperfect scenarios that truly define the festive period for many.
The campaign is narrated by the warm and familiar voice of comedian John Bishop, whose lyrical Liverpudlian accent provides the perfect comedic backdrop. Bishop's unusual route into comedy, having worked as a sales representative before becoming a full-time comedian around the age of 40, lends an authentic, everyman quality to the narration, as if he's personally experienced these situations himself.
Relatable Scenarios That Hit Home
The sketches cover a range of familiar festive moments designed to resonate with viewers. One scene depicts a young man returning home to Liverpool from the south, only to be accused by his parents of losing his northern accent after announcing he took the 'fast train home' with a noticeable southern twang. His mother's immediate reaction, ‘State of him’, perfectly captures the gentle ribbing many face when returning to their family roots.
Other scenarios include the tension that arises when Grandad says something offensive just as mum brings the turkey into a suddenly silent dining room, leaving everyone unsure how to react. Another sketch shows the discomfort of witnessing two distant cousins having a full-blown argument during a family game of Pictionary.
The campaign also tackles the universal dread of office Secret Santa, expertly acting out the desperation of not knowing what to buy for difficult-to-shop-for colleagues like 'Jeremy from accounts' or 'Martha'. The characters conclude that while Martha ‘uses the microwave a lot’, gifting her one would be ‘a bit strong, init’.
Strategic Partnerships and Campaign Impact
To further cement the campaign's family feel and comedic appeal, Tesco has partnered with Channel 4’s Gogglebox families. This collaboration enhances the advertisement's relatability by featuring the reactions of the beloved television families who are known for their humorous commentary on everyday life.
Becky Brock, Tesco Group Customer Director, explained the thinking behind the campaign: ‘At Tesco, we know that Christmas isn’t just about the picture-perfect moments, it’s about everything perfectly imperfect that happens around them too – that’s where the real magic is.’
While the shorts aren't overtly sentimental in the style of John Lewis's famous emotional adverts, they nonetheless evoke a warm Christmassy feeling through their authenticity and humour. The campaign successfully positions Tesco as a brand that understands and celebrates the real British Christmas experience, with all its glorious imperfections and chaotic moments.
