I’m sure everyone has seen the new John Lewis Christmas advert by now (if you haven’t, where have you been!?!)…

At this time every year, when the Christmas adverts appear on our television screens, it really hits home that the festive countdown is officially here (gulp).

For a few reasons, I’m not hugely looking forward to Christmas this year – it’s an emotional time anyway regardless of any extra emotion being thrown in, and when I watched the new John Lewis advert on Thursday morning (on my phone and dashing through London), it tore me to pieces, sending me over the edge.

The advert features a kid called Sam and his mega cute (yet lonely) penguin friend called Monty in a story of friendship, loneliness, want and love (I won’t ruin the end – JUST in case you haven’t seen it!).

So take this, combine it with a stripped-back version of John Lennon’s “Real Love” performed by the perfectly haunted yet spine-tingling voice of Tom Odell (*love*) – et voilà!

Despite obvious product placement (everything worn, seen, used etc in the advert is available at John Lewis – of course!) the advert is not *just* about gift wrap, home ware, presents and Christmas all sorts – but about Christmas magic and love, and John Lewis have provided us with a true goosebump moment – thinking about our nearest and dearest at this time of year – those we miss and want, and also the laughs and hugs we crave.

Some critics are being cynical about the advert – perhaps they’re just retired old-hat marketing creatives who are jealous for not having the ideas, and/or the opportunities to bring (good) ideas to life?

Anyway, finishing on a gushy note, here’s the lyrics to “Real Love”…… xx

“All my little plans and schemes
Lost like some forgotten dream
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Just like little girls and boys
Playing with their little toys
Seems like all they really were doing
Was waiting for you

Don’t need to be alone
No need to be alone

It’s real love
It’s real, yes it’s real love
It’s real

From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love

Don’t need to be afraid
No need to be afraid

It’s real love
It’s real, yes it’s real love
It’s real

Thought I’d been in love before,
But in my heart I wanted more
Seems like all I really was doing
Was waiting for you

Don’t need to be alone
No need to be alone

It’s real love
Yes it’s real, yes it’s real love
It’s real, yes it’s real love…”