The 2025 Christmas advert from John Lewis has arrived, inviting the nation to say what they truly feel through the timeless power of thoughtful gifting.
90s dance icon Alison Limerick provides the soundtrack with her iconic hit ‘Where Love Lives’, with a newly reimagined version by globally acclaimed artist and producer Labrinth featuring in the Ad.
The campaign explores thoughtful gifting in a way that is new – but unmistakably John Lewis. The Ad focuses on a teenage son who uses music as a medium to express the feelings for his dad he can’t find the words for, ending with the strapline: “If you can’t find the words, find the gift.”
The Ad, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, takes viewers to Christmas Day in a family household. Passing a son who’s in his own world with headphones on, the focus shifts to the Dad, who is by the tree on his hands and knees clearing up discarded wrapping paper.
Amongst the wrapping paper, he discovers an unopened present marked ‘Dad’ with a smiley face. Inside is a vinyl record of Where Love Lives by Alison Limerick. He heads straight to his record player and drops the needle gently into the groove. As the opening bars of the 90s classic fill the room, he closes his eyes – and the power of the music evokes a core memory, transporting him back to the 1990s he remembers and loves.
Viewers are then taken on the Dad’s journey as he loses himself in the music. Suddenly, he’s in a 90s club, dancing with his friends. Through the strobe lights he spots his teenage son across the crowd. Calling out to him, the son begins to fade beneath the flashing lights as the music swells to a crescendo.
In the flashes of the strobe lights, the Dad calls for his son who – not as a teen, but as a toddler, takes his first steps towards him. Another flash, and the Dad holds his newborn son bundled tightly in his arms. The music becomes a bridge between memory and love, between then and now.
The scene shifts back to the present day, as Labrinth’s newly reimagined version of the track echoes softly. The Dad is in the living room when his son comes down the stairs and catches him enjoying his gift. The son looks on, slightly embarrassed, until his Dad pulls him an embrace. They share a quiet, unspoken moment – a wordless “thank you”, carrying the weight of “I know we aren’t as close as we used to be but I love you.”
Rosie Hanley, director of brand for John Lewis, said: “This year’s John Lewis Christmas campaign is a celebration of connection, memory, and the unspoken emotions that make the season truly magical. At John Lewis, we understand the power of a thoughtful gift, and we hope the Ad will inspire our customers to find the gift that articulates their feelings, allowing the present itself to speak volumes where words may sometimes fall short.”
Available from 4 November in store and on the John Lewis app (exclusive to my John Lewis members for the first 24 hours), Rough Trade at John Lewis will exclusively stock the vinyl record. Alison Limerick’s “Where Love Lives” vinyl features brand new club-inspired artwork. Side A of the vinyl treats music fans to Alison’s iconic original version, while Side B presents globally acclaimed artist and producer Labrinth’s beautiful, newly reimagined version also featured in the Christmas Ad.
All John Lewis profits from the £14.99 vinyl record will support the John Lewis Partnership’s Building Happier Futures programme, which helps people who have grown up in care build brighter futures.
Franki Goodwin, chief creative officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “Music is always the beating heart of the John Lewis campaign at Christmas but this year it’s the gift itself. The track threads through an integrated campaign that poignantly explores the power of a gift to communicate something we might not be able to put into words. A banger on many levels in many channels, I hope it inspires lots of thoughtful, expressive gifting and some family trawls through old playlists on Christmas Day too!”
Alison Limerick said: “I squealed when I heard that ‘Where Loves Lives’ would be in the advert – literally squealed like an excited child. Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song – especially with what Labrinth has created. His gentle version is just so beautiful; it’s sure to fill the heart with love.”
Labrinth said: “To think a boy like me from East London Hackney, who grew up watching this iconic advert would one day reimagine a classic and compose a piece of music for John Lewis’s forward thinking direction is a big deal for me. This advert is embedded in British Christmas culture and I miss home, so I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
