It’s officially that time of year again… the long awaited John Lewis Christmas advert has been released to the world this morning.
November is here, the festive season is right around the corner, the Christmas build-up is starting to take place around Leeds, and now, after teasing it on social media for the past few days, department store retailer John Lewis has finally unveiled its 2022 Christmas advert.
And this year, the company has toned things down and taken it back to basics, reports The Manc.
The release of the John Lewis Christmas advert comes hot off the heels of releases from competitors Tesco, Argos, Morrisons, and Aldi – as well as Asda, which many Brits have already claimed has “won Christmas” thanks to its use of classic footage from the iconic 2003 Christmas film Elf.
But with the rising cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt nationwide, retailers are facing a tough battle for Christmas sales this year.
So, John Lewis has decided to use its 2022 Christmas advert – which is titled ‘The Beginner’ – to shine a spotlight on what it has called an “often overlooked issue” – children in the UK foster care system.
The 90-second advert, which is set to a cover of Blink-182’s All The Small Things by US artist Mike Geier – which was actually recorded around five years ago, and hasn’t been commissioned by John Lewis especially for the advert as the retailer has done so in previous years – shows the man as he struggles painfully to master skateboarding in the build-up to Christmas.
As the advert continues, we are left questioning the motive behind the man’s perseverance until the final scene.
Image: John Lewis
The final scene then shows a social worker arriving at the man’s door with a young teenager named Ellie – who has arrived at her new foster home carrying her skateboard.
John Lewis said it understood that not all foster carers had the benefit of knowing who they would be looking after in advance, and that’s what the advert is aiming to highlight – with the retailer’s broader campaign also featuring “authentic voices of carers” and “young people with different experiences of a complex care system”.
“We could have heavily gone for Christmas magic and fun but that didn’t feel the right thing to do this year with everything going on,” explained Holly Kicul – Senior Advertising Manager at John Lewis.
“It felt the right thing to use this platform we have to get this message out.”
Image: John Lewis
She also added that the retailer wanted to have the usual laughter and sentiment that its Christmas adverts are known for, but “in a different way to what we do normally.”
The release of the 2022 John Lewis Christmas advert also follows the launch of the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme – which is aimed at providing young people in care with more career opportunities and chances to move into the workforce.
The advert was created with agency adam&eveDDB, with input from partner charities Action for Children and Who Cares? Scotland.
Organisers of the Leeds Christmas Market have announced it will host two new bars for 2026.
Yes, we know it's only October...but is it too soon to be getting excited about Christmas? We think not.
The Leeds Christmas Markets are going to look a little bit different this year, as the owners of Thor's Tipi will be running the festivities at City Square for 2026.
Completely new for this year, the market on City Square will introduce two bars with different themes - a Scottish Highland Lodge and a Folie Ski Bar.
Image: Supplied
Firstly, the Highland Lodge will welcome visitors into a spacious tipi filled with snug seating, twinkling lights, roaring fires and plenty of tartan.
Designed to welcome large groups, the lodge will have space for 280 guests inside and a further 100 outside, whilst the drinks menu will feature Highland favourites including Scottish beers and ales, a selection of whisky and even Iron-Bru.
Over at the Folie Ski Bar on Quebec Street, expect a relaxed festive retreat with the feel of an alpine chalet, complete with rustic wood detailing, fairy lights, faux fur throws and roaring fires.
The bar can accommodate 180 guests inside and 50 outside, serving mulled wine, boozy hot chocolates, Kirkstall Brewery beers and a selection of low and no-alcohol drinks.
Image: Supplied
THORS’s director, Amanda Monaghan said: “We’re excited to bring two new bar experiences to Leeds Christmas market this year. Having hosted THOR’s tipi in the city for many years, we’ve had plenty of practice creating festive spaces and entertainment, so we know what customers love.
“We’ve listened to lots of feedback on what people would like to see at the market and we want to make sure we give visitors and residents of Leeds plenty of reasons to stay with us long after they’ve finished their shopping or a day at the office.
“The new venues have been created to cater for all ages and tastes and will be perfect for passing visitors, after work drinks or planned Christmas get-togethers. From the lively Scottish spirit of Highland Lodge to the cosy alpine atmosphere at Folie, there’s going to be a spot for everyone to settle in and enjoy drinks by the fire and plenty of festive fun.”
Tesco unveils Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026 and confirms official launch date
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
The Hoot -
10th November 2022 
