However Christmassy you may or may not be, this is a time of the year when lots of audiovisual texts and materials are released, which gives teachers very nice opportunities to use them in class. These are some possible ideas:

John Lewis’ s ad 2018: 

John Lewis released yet again another heart-warming ad, featuring Sir Elton John. The real Elton John opens this backwards look at his career through a series of flashbacks, á la Benjamin Button, and with a string of John’ s look-alikes. The ad comes to a close with Elton John as a child, being given his first ever piano.  The soundtrack to the ad is provided by his hit song “Your Song”.

The slogan (Some gifts are more than just a gift) may be playing with the two meanings of ‘gift’ (present / talent).

As to the meaning of ‘gift’ as ‘present’, Elton John himself donated a piano to St Pancras station in London back in 2016.

Classroom questions and activities:

  • What’s the gift you liked the most? Did it have an impact just at the time of receiving it, or later in life?
  • What are the reasons why people like presents?

Cadbury ad 2018- Secret Santa:

  • What’s the fun in Secret Santa? 
  • What are the reasons why families / friends / colleagues do it? 
  • What strategies can you use to leave your presents / notes and not be noticed? 

Wayfair- Santa caught red-handed (sort of):

  • What would you do if you found Santa / the Three Wise Men in your living room?
  • How can Santa /the Three Wise Men deliver presents to children everywhere in just one night? 

But then, after all this consumerism, some reflection on alternative presents may be in order. This speaker discusses in this clip his DIY take on presents for his family and loved ones:

Transcript here

BBC Christmas 2017:

Ideas for activities and resources here.

Previous years’ ads and resources: