It’s officially that time of year once again… the John Lewis Christmas advert has been released to the world this morning.
November is here, the festive season is right around the corner, the 2023 Manchester Christmas Markets officially start tomorrow, and now, after teasing it on social media for the past few days and leaving the nation waiting with baited breath, the department store retailer has finally unveiled its 2023 Christmas advert.
And this year, the company has taken things in quite a different direction to usual.
After John Lewis toned things down and took it back to basics with its annual festive commercial in 2022, choosing to “shine a light on the overlooked issue” of children in the UK foster care system amid the rising cost of living crisis, the meaning behind this year’s ad isn’t quite so poignant… or at least, we think?
With a Venus flytrap being the star of the show, and an Italian opera song by one of the genre’s most-famous names providing the soundtrack, the retailer definitely seems to have switched things up for 2023.
Titled Snapper: The Perfect Tree, and with the promotional strapline ‘Let Your Traditions Grow’, John Lewis’ refreshed approach to its festive marketing this year is one that focuses on fostering and nurturing family seasonal traditions… but not it the most obvious way.
The advert follows a young boy who begs his Grandma to let him buy a seed in a box from their local market, before showing him lovingly-nurturing the seed into a plant with the belief he’s growing a spectacular Christmas tree.
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But to his surprise, it’s not a Christmas tree at all, and actually turns out to be a Venus flytrap with a playful personality – which the boy names ‘Snapper’.
Despite not being traditional, Snapper wants to join in all the fun of Christmas anyway, but he sadly grows too big for the living room and is then cast out into the cold garden outside.
The 2023 John Lewis Christmas ad is out and it features a Venus flytrap and Italian opera / Credit: John Lewis
As the two-minute ad continues, we see Snapper eventually welcomed back into the home, after he dishes out presents with such joy and enthusiasm that the family finds new joy in gathering around their unconventional Christmas tree.
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So as you can see, it’s not what many were expecting.
The soundtrack of John Lewis’ Christmas ads are always another talking point, and are usually covers of well-known or under-appreciated songs and often performed by upcoming artists, but this year, the music is provided by the legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli performing a song called ‘Festa’.
The Italian opera song was written and produced by Le Feste Antonacci specifically for the John Lewis advert.
The retailer has adopted the strapline ‘Let Your Traditions Grow’ for 2023 / Credit: John Lewis
“Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special,” explained Charlotte Lock, who is the Customer Director at John Lewis, “and this film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions.
“It shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.”
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John Lewis’ Marketing Director, Rosie Hanley, says the retailer hopes the nation “falls in love” with the wannabe Christmas tree Snapper “as much as we have”.
“He embodies what’s magical about Christmas – bringing loved ones together, holding on to what we all love about Christmas traditions and embracing new ones.”
You can watch the 2023 John Lewis Christmas advert in full here.
Featured Image – John Lewis
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2023 
