If You’ve Seen Either One Of These Holiday Commercials You’re Still Crying
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
Memberships
Gifting an annual membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, or perhaps, for those aged 21 and above, a wine club or mug club membership can make for a wonderful holiday gift. It’s a simple and thoughtful gesture that can benefit almost everyone this season. Offering your friends or family several months or a full year at a location they cherish is an excellent method to provide them with extra savings and a valuable present they can enjoy throughout the year.
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Outdoor Experiences
Offer the gift of a year-long adventure with the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This pass grants free entry to all 115 National Parks with entrance fees, along with over 3,000 other federal lands. The pass includes the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (aged 16 and above), with free admission for children under 15. Similar passes are available at various state parks, city and county parks, as well as botanical gardens nationwide, either for online purchase or directly on-site. It’s a thoughtful present for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
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Personalized Celebrity Videos
Imagine the excitement of receiving a personalized video message from your beloved celebrity, something you can hold onto for a lifetime. Cameo provides a platform where you can hire celebrities and athletes to create personalized videos, making them memorable gifts. The pricing for Cameo videos is set individually by thousands of actors, artists, and influencers and can range from as low as $1 to as high as $15,000 for personal videos, depending on the celebrity’s status and demand.
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Movie Gift Card
It’s reassuring to know that you’re offering your loved ones something they can personally choose and appreciate. Movie gift cards are a great option as they usually have no expiration date and can be used to buy movie tickets and concessions at the specific theater or theaters from which they are purchased. The recipient can use it for any movie they desire, without having to dip into their own funds.
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Amusement Park Passes
Consider giving tickets to a theme park amusement park as one of the most enjoyable experiential gifts. When presenting tickets as a gift, there’s room for creativity in how you package the gift, whether in a sizable wrapped box or as part of a unique scavenger hunt.
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Indoor Attraction Passes
There are plenty of enjoyable indoor activities to explore, including options like indoor rock climbing, trampoline centers, indoor skydiving, game centers, arcades, and escape rooms. A gift of this kind can be especially convenient for those times when you’re looking for indoor entertainment, especially during bad weather.
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Concert or Show Tickets
Concert or show tickets are a great gift choice. They provide a one-of-a-kind experience and make for a thoughtful way to celebrate your best friend and their interests. Even if they’ve seen the band before, each performance is unique and memorable.
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Sporting Event Tickets
If you have a sports enthusiast in your circle, giving them tickets to a baseball game is a thoughtful gesture to express your care. It’s also an excellent means of enjoying quality time together while rooting for your favorite team. To make the experience even better, you can go the extra mile by including a food voucher along with the tickets.
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Self Care Experience
Offer the perfect gift of relaxation and beauty, whether it’s a spa day, a massage, a facial, or a visit to the salon for hair styling, a wash, or a manicure and pedicure. Depending on the recipient, this could be something you can enjoy together. It’s an opportunity to unwind and connect, spending quality time together, catching up on life, sharing some laughter, and reminiscing about the past.
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Classes or Lessons
Lessons in various experiences, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or sewing lessons, can be beneficial to many. This kind of gift is well-suited for people who enjoy learning and trying out new experiences. By gifting classes or lessons, you provide someone with an additional means of self-expression.
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