If You’ve Seen Either One Of These Holiday Commercials You’re Still Crying
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Full disclosure, I’m a crier. I wear my emotions on my sleeve at all times and am prone to tears streaming down my face at the most normal of things. Shoot, I cry when I see dramatic sports highlights. So, I was definitely no match for a couple of the holiday TV commercials I saw this past weekend. Now this is nothing new. Companies have been killing me with brilliant heartstring commercials for years. Coca-Cola and McDonald’s have left me weepy more than once. However, these USUALLY don’t come out until closer to Christmas. Apparently, Amazon and Chevrolet decided to get the jump on my tear ducts this year.
AMAZON
Admittedly, these guys had me at the song. I’m not the biggest Beatles fan in the world, but a couple of their tunes reside on my all-time list. At or near the top is “In My Life.” The slowed down, piano only arrangement in this latest commercial from the shipping giant is stunningly beautiful. The plot of “Joy Ride” is simple. You have these three senior citizen ladies sitting on a bench, longingly watching kids sledding. One of them has the bright idea that with a little cushion help from Amazon, she and her two friends could be a part of the mix. The part of the story that kills me is when the three are sledding down the hill, the leader looks back and, in her eyes, the three of them are young again. OMG, just thinking about it-writing this-made me well up. Good Lord. Here’s check it out. Wait, grab some Kleenex and then check it out.
IKR?
CHEVROLET
Ok. If the Amazon commercial, “Joy Ride,” got to me, it’s NOTHING compared to what Chevrolet’s new holiday spot does. “A Holiday To Remember” may be the most deeply moving TV advertisement I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it’s because of the radiothon we’re doing next week benefitting the Western Carolinas Chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association. However, more likely it’s because I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s and my mother-in-law to Dementia. The story just hits too close to home. “A Holiday To Remember” opens with a holiday family gathering and a conversation between a grown daughter and her father about her mother’s worsening mental state. An adult grandchild in the next room overhears that there are “more bad days than good.” She takes matters into her own hands (along with a really sweet 1972 Suburban) and goes about making this day, “a good one.” That’s all I’m going to say. I’m already crying again. This is a two box of Kleenex situation before you click play.
You can’t say I didn’t warn you. And now, what are you going to do? You’re going to share the holiday commercials from Amazon and Chevrolet with everyone you know because if there’s one thing we criers love to do, it’s share in our crying jags.
10 Unforgettable Christmas Experience Gifts
Physical gifts can be cool for a moment, but the memories they create are what truly last a lifetime. This holiday season, why not do your friends and family a favor by skipping the usual physical presents? Maybe consider giving a unique Christmas experience instead?
An experiential gift is just as thoughtful as something you can hold in your hand. The difference is that it won’t end up gathering dust, getting re-gifted, or donated. That’s because experiences, whether it’s a subscription, an activity, or a class, let people give people memories. Whether the giftee does it on their own, with their family, or even with you, it offers opportunities for learning and exploration.
The possibilities are limitless with Christmas experience gifts.
If you’re searching for an exciting experience for adults or children, ther are lots of choices. You could start with something as simple as covering the dinner tab for a couple. Another option is going big by planning a fantastic trip as the ultimate gift for your spouse. For kids and teens, they can dive into fun activities. These can be learning to play an instrument or mastering the art of making their favorite dessert.
Another advantage of opting for experiential gifts is that they make ideal last-minute presents. They can be conveniently purchased online. And if all else fails, a gift card is always an option.
Let’s face it: most of the stuff we buy just because we like it or think we need it tends to fade into the background pretty quickly. This is especially true when they’re given as gifts. We’ve all had those times when we eagerly tore into a physical gift at Christmas or a birthday, only to realize it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s even worse when you know that time and money were spent on something you’re not too thrilled about.
Experiences can enrich our lives, contributing to personal growth and opening our minds to new horizons. Meanwhile, dust collectors, especially the ones from distant relatives, don’t quite measure up. You know that feeling, right? It’s like saying, “Thanks, Aunt Rose, but I could’ve done without that Christmas scarf and hand lotion from the buy-one-get-one special at the mall.”
So, when the holiday season or other celebrations roll around, and you’re stuck with gift-buying, consider giving experiences instead of physical items. To help you get started, here are some experiential gifts that would make great Christmas gifts.
Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.