Our Favorite Holiday Ads of All Time
’Tis the season of holiday ads — the jingles, the storytelling, the nostalgic warm moments, and the classics that let us know the holidays are here. We asked the Alkemy X team to share the commercials that have stayed with them over the years, the ones that made them laugh, think of their own special memories, or hit replay.
Here’s a look back at some of our all-time favorites and why we think they last the test of time.
Hershey's - Holiday Bells (1989)
"This ad is a true timeless classic. So simple and effective and lasts the test of time, clearly, because it came out before I was born, and I still see it all these years later. 2025 marks 35 years of this ad. The combination of a classic Christmas jingle and the bell animation is simply delightful. Kisses are still my number one candy of the holiday season."
Olivia Rotondo, Marketing and Social Media Manager
Staples - Predictable Presents (1994)
"There are always the classic ads that are great - the Campbell Soup snowman commercial, Hershey Kisses Bells, Coca Cola Bears, etc, but most of the time they are heart-warming and sentimental. This ad is all about the gift-wrapped dog. The concept is simple and funny and gets the point across, even though most of the items mentioned on sale are pretty much obsolete now."
Kristin Riccio, Post Producer
PA Lottery - Happy Holidays (1994)
"This spot became an iconic commercial. I got to record and mix both the music and the spot. The singers and VO artists received royalties from the ad running every December for many, many years. (Then they re-shot it and everyone wondered why...)"
Bob Schachner, Sound Designer
Corona Extra - Feliz Navidad (1990)
"I always loved this ad for the simplicity of it. It gets the creative marketing across well without having to do too much. And because of the lack of music and minimal sound design, it always catches everyone's attention, which I feel is a mark of a great ad."
Ryan Sun, Post Producer
Campbell's Soup - Melting Snowman (1993)
"I will NEVER forget this campaign. There were some others that came out early 2000s, but for some reason, that melting snowman will always comfort me. I love it so much. The mixed media of it all and the campiness of it. It will be timeless to me for life."
Chloe Goldstein, Post Production Coordinator
Montefiore Health System - Solo's Holiday Story (2023)
"The Montefiore holiday ad stuck with me because it's magical, hopeful, joyful and full of wonder -- everything I associate with the holiday season. Solo is a real kid from Queens and his story touches my heart. The relationship with his brother and their community is what humanity should look like. People caring for one another and wanting the best for each other. The way the filmmakers used VFX to show his imaginative world was stunning. I'm a puddle of tears every time I watch it."
Sue Fallon, Executive Producer
*Bonus*
SNL - Children's Clothing Ad (2019)
"While this spot is not a "real" spot, it absolutely makes me laugh every time I see it. Having raised a daughter with sensory issues, there are so many things in this ad that really hit home for me. My wife and I must have bought dozens of holiday outfits over the years that were never worn or lasted only 10 minutes before our daughter changed into pajamas or sweats. It makes me ask why we torture our kids when the best holiday memories are when we were all in PJs and NOT in fancy clothes."
Mark Reidenauer, Post Executive Producer