The 2026 John Lewis Christmas advert is finally here and the festive season has truly begun. It focuses on a grandma who is looking for the perfect gift for her two young grandchildren, with a little help from a Christmas present from her own childhood toy, Pickles the dog.
It was only released earlier today, (Tuesday November 3), but it’s already split opinion with shoppers. Commenting on the brand’s official Youtube page, one person wrote: “ Loved it, a gift means more than money in an envelope x its the thought that counts.” But, others disagreed. One person summarised the thoughts of many others when they simply said: “ Oh dear, not hit the spot this year .”
But, no matter what you think of it, the 2026 ad is the latest addition to the pantheon of John Lewis Christmas adverts, which have been looked forward to by many since 2007. Plenty of classics have come over the years and we all have our very own favourites.
But we took on the tough task of ranking every single one! From 2007 through to 2026, here is my thoughts on each and every one.
The 2026 Christmas advert - Don’t Give Up on Giving - is out now. You can watch it here.
9. 10 - Don’t Give up on Giving (2026)
This year's advert featured Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as a grandma who was searching for a way to give the gift of a joy to her (rather spoiled) grandchildren who were just hoping for money in their Christmas card. It's a familiar scene in many homes, so something that can be related to, but it just didn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling, although I do think the message behind it - that the best thing about Christmas is enjoying time together - is important. And I did think it was better than last year's advert. Rating: 3.75 Jingle Bells.
10. 9 - The Bear and the Hare (2013)
Perhaps the John Lewis advert with the most iconic song - Lily Allen’s cover of Somewhere Only We Know. It was such a hit that it topped the UK single’s chart. Beautifully animated, it does feel like one of those adaptations of Julia Donaldson books that air on BBC every year. But because it is fully cartoon, it feels a bit too adrift from reality in a way the ads usually don’t. Rating: 3.8 Jingle Bells. | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis
11. 8 - Snapper (2023)
Love the song in this, Andrea Bocelli adds such a unique spin on the usual soundtrack to a John Lewis Christmas advert. More in the vein of Edgar and Buster the Boxer, featuring a bit of a chaotic element seemingly ruining Christmas, only to make it more magical in the end. It is charming, but nothing earth shattering. Rating: 3.9 Jingle Bells. | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis
12. 7 - The Long Wait (2011)
What a great advert, following a young boy who is desperately counting down the days until Christmas - trying everything possible to make the clock go faster. But the twist is he isn’t excited to open his presents, he simply can’t wait to give a gift to his parents. Rating: 4 Jingle Bells | YouTube/ John Lewis Photo: YouTube/ John Lewis