McDonald's focuses on family in heartwarming ad about a boy's Christmas list

McDonald's U.K. holiday spot this year revolves around a little boy making a "Christmas List," but its message emphasizes family togetherness rather than the receipt of material goods. The heartwarming ad by Leo Burnett London tells the story of a little boy named Alfie, who gets carried away with the excitement of writing a Christmas List. His list reaches an incredible length before it accidentally blows away in the wind. To cheer him up, his parents take him on a trip to McDonald's and when his mom asks him what was on the list anyway, he shows her a drawing of him standing between his two parents. The ad was helmed by Hollywood director Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables," "Cats") and the soundtrack, recorded by Becky Hill, is a cover of Yazoo’s iconic 80s track "Only You." The spot itself is the jumping off point for a mobile campaign by McDonald's, also called the Alternative Christmas List. Launching on Nov. 14, it invites fans to enjoy six "experiences," released weekly in the build up to Christmas, all of which have been created to enhance a shared family moment. They will include McDonald’s festive pyjamas and sweaters, a touring festive photobooth, McDelivery Christmas carol singers and a festive audio book for those families driving home for Christmas. “We can all get a bit carried away by the excitement of Christmas, but we all know it’s those small moments with loved ones that matter the most," said Chaka Sobhani, Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett UK and Global, in a statement. "We hope the Alternative Christmas List taps into that, particularly in such a difficult year, and gets people up and down the country proper reindeer ready.”

McDonald's focuses on family in heartwarming ad about a boy's Christmas list

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