Are you ready for some wholesome moments? I’m sure I am! Thanksgiving is a time for feasts, family, and, of course, unforgettable commercials that capture the warmth of the season. From heartwarming tales of togetherness to ads that bring a smile to your face, the best Thanksgiving commercials have a way of making us feel grateful for the small things – and the big brands. So, before you dive into the mashed potatoes, let’s take a moment to celebrate the ads that make us all feel a little more thankful. After all, who says you can’t stuff yourself with ads too?
What if we lived in a world in which for just saying the words “thank you” you would be gifted with a bottle of Coca-Cola? Loads of us would sign up immediately, so let’s dive into a commercial with exactly that premise. In this heartwarming Coca-Cola ad, a Coke employee goes undercover as a drive-thru attendant at a bustling fast-food joint. With a smile on his face, he hands out orders like any other worker, but there’s a twist. Every time a customer says the magic words – “Thank you!” – he reaches behind the counter and surprises them with a refreshing ice-cold Coke. The reactions are priceless, especially when a family car full of children catches on the act. It’s pure joy in every bottle as people rush to thank the drive-thru team with a little extra enthusiasm, hoping for their bubbly reward. The tipping point is when the kids go on a loop of being thankful. The father, who envisioned what was about to happen, starts driving off just as another undercover employee walks from around the corner with a whole crate of bottles and starts running after the car. Not only wholesome but also comedy gold!
Want a real tearjerker? Make way for the Publix “The Right Ingredients” ad. This Thanksgiving commercial is a heartfelt reminder that the true essence of the holiday goes beyond the food – it’s about the moments shared with loved ones. The ad opens in a cozy, warm kitchen filled with the familiar sights and sounds of Thanksgiving preparations. A grandmother carefully arranges ingredients on the counter, all ready to be transformed into a delicious feast. The protagonist loves cooking but she says that she never done it for prizes or fame, because there was a more special reason behind all of her hours in the kitchen. In the next scene, we see the grandmother entering her daughter’s house with a homemade casserole in her hands, as everyone gathers around the table. As the grandmother looks at the members of her family the narrator says: “When the right ingredients come together, it’s magic”. It’s true what they say that every dish tastes better when love is the main ingredient!
As I don’t have any more tears in me, I propose we focus on a more lighthearted example and the Red Bull’s Thanksgiving commercial is just the solution. The ad brings its signature blend of humor and energy to the holiday season, giving a funny twist to the traditional Thanksgiving story. In classic Red Bull animated style, the commercial features cartoon animals who notice that people are approaching them with the intent of killing them for food. The cow, the pig, and the sheep all quickly pass around a can of Red Bull, which after consuming… gives them wings so they can escape the pen. Sadly the turkey being a flightless bird is left with an empty can as he literally stares death in the eye. His desperate attempts to escape his inevitable fate come to nothing as in the very next scene he becomes the Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece. Ouch! Hope he was delicious though!
Thanksgiving ads have a special way of capturing the heart of the holidays – celebrating gratitude, togetherness, and often, a bit of humor. Whether it’s through touching stories that remind us of the importance of family or lighthearted moments that bring smiles to our faces, these commercials evoke the warmth and joy of the season. They connect us not just to the brands, but to the emotions and traditions that make Thanksgiving so meaningful. Ultimately, these ads highlight that the real magic of Thanksgiving lies in the moments shared, the memories created, and, of course, the spirit of gratitude. Because whether you’re gathered around the table or just watching from the couch, there’s always something to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving from Adspective to you!
