Lidl Christmas advert: Supermarket unveils heartwarming campaign with adorable raccoon

Discount supermarket Lidl has unveiled its Christmas advert for 2023, featuring an adorable raccoon who goes the extra mile to make a little boy’s Christmas special. The advert is available to watch from Thursday (November 2) and will premier during ITV's Emmerdale.

Lidl has unveiled another adorable Christmas character, following on from last year's popular 'Lidl bear'. The highly-anticipated advert opens up to a raccoon peering through the window at a family preparing for Christmas, and a little boy decorating the tree.

When the family dog rushes past the tree, it smashes the little boy’s favourite toy monkey which has been used as a decoration. The boy is heartbroken and the parents head to Lidl to replace it with a stuffed toy version.

However, on the cycle home, the boy's mother accidentally drops the toy leaving it stranded in the road. The raccoon - who is out rummaging for food - notices the toy and jumps into action with the plan to return the toy to the boy.

While journeying through the dangerous city, the raccoon climbs through vents, hitch-hikes the tube limbing and sails on a log across a river. Returning unscathed, the raccoon saves Christmas and even befriends the family dog.

The advert coincides with the return of Lidl's Toy Bank, a nationwide donation drive aiming to get toys to children, who may not be lucky to receive one of their own this year. Peter de Roos, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, said: “At Christmas, there’s nothing more magical than seeing the joy a gift can bring to a child, and we want to help make sure this joy reaches all families. 

“Our hope is that by bringing back the toy donation points we are making it easier, for those customers who can, to donate directly to local good causes by giving them a small way to make a real difference and help those that need it the most.”

Customers can contribute to Lidl's Toy Bank now until December 16, with the UK supermarket accepting items such as toys, games, books, and puzzles, among other gifts suitable for children.

Last year, the supermarket decided not to sell the Christmas teddy bear which appeared in its TV advert and instead, asked customers to donate a bear to the Lidl Toy Bank. However, this year the retailer be selling plush versions of the racoon and the monkey – with all proceeds going to the charity, Neighbourly.