The Best Holiday Ads of 2024

Airbnb’s “Santastrophe” demonstrates the benefits of rental properties available via its platform compared with hotel rooms. The holiday ad is narrated in the style of iconic Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” It depicts Santa Claus having issues delivering presents in a hotel on Christmas Eve but successfully giving “little Suzie” her gift as she sleeps in an Airbnb. 

Montefiore Einstein

New York healthcare system Montefiore Einstein looks to inspire young people with rare diseases this holiday season and show how resilient they can be, especially when they work together. “The Rarest Stars Shine Brightest,” by agency Alto, establishes Montefiore Einstein as a leader in rare diseases, but does it through a positive light. The magical story follows a ragtag group of kids with rare diseases who tap into their resilience to save the holidays for all of New York. The film stars five children living with rare conditions, including Piebaldism, Achondroplasia, Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia dwarfism, and Ehlers-danlos syndrome. They band together to build a rocket ship to gather light after a blackout so the holidays won’t be canceled. –Kyle O’Brien

Iams

A two-story-tall dog balloon got stuck between buildings en route to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, stopping passersby in their tracks. 

But the balloon–not actually an official entry to the parade–was put there on purpose. The stunt from Mars pet food brand Iam calls attention to a pressing pet health issue: 59% of U.S. dogs are overweight, though many dog parents don’t realize it. The inflatable dog represents a real one, Waylon, who got healthier with the help of Iams. 

Orange

Just in time for Christmas, French telecoms company Orange has launched SaferPhone, a service that filters unwanted calls, blocks malicious links, and protects against cyberthreats. Its accompanying film, by agency Publicis Conseil, presents the parent-teen debate about smartphone use in an offbeat and playful way. In the middle of a parent-teen confrontation, an Orange advisor appears with a solution to reconcile them: SaferPhone. The soundtrack is Christmas carol “Carol of the Bells.” 

Erste Group