Amazon is stirring hearts with a sweet Christmas ad that tells the story of three older women reliving their youth by sledding down a snowy hill

While many supermarkets have chosen A-listers, pop stars and famous Hollywood faces for their 2023 Christmas advertising, Amazon has taken a different approach.

Instead of relying on star power, the retail giant hopes to win people’s hearts this holiday season with a beautiful video about lifelong friendship and joyful memories.

The 60-second ad, shared exclusively with Femail, tells the story of three lifelong friends who relive the joy of their youth atop a snowy hill.

The spot is called ‘Joy Ride’ and features a rendition of The Beatles’ ‘In My Life’, played by a 40-piece orchestra.

Set against this musical score and snowy backdrop, the ad is an ode to friendship – a heartwarming story that unfolds as the three older women gather on a park bench and sip hot drinks, watching wistfully as playful children and teenagers sled down the hill in their local park.

As the world around them rushes by, the friends sit quietly and quietly. But not for long.

The main character takes in the scene and notices her friends looking outside longingly.

With that we see an idea come to her mind and a mischievous smile appears.

She opens the Amazon shopping app on her mobile phone and adds quilted seat cushions to her shopping cart.

The next day the delivery arrives and, back at their special place, the friends are presented with the Amazon box.

When they open it, they are amazed at its contents.

But now that their interest is piqued, the group’s leader encourages her friends to follow her to the hill.

The scene cuts to the friends, now up to their ankles in fresh snow, placing the new seat cushions in their sleds.

With a reassuring smile, their excitement and anticipation take hold and they join the (slightly younger) crowd on the snowy slopes.

Laughter, cheers and an emotional flashback to their childhood together on the same slopes return.

The lively trio are full of life as they zoom down the hill with their arms waving.

Once the women reach the bottom of the snowy hill, they stand up and enthusiastically begin the walk back up the hill.

Their excitement is palpable as they prepare for another exhilarating ride down the snowy slope.

The ad marks the start of Amazon’s integrated festive brand campaign ‘Joy is shared’ and will run on TV, streaming and online until the end of December. The advert will be shown for the first time on TV tonight during Coronation Street on ITV.

The global Christmas campaign aims to show how joyful holiday moments become more special when shared and that fun doesn’t have to stop at a certain age.

“This year’s Christmas campaign is inspired by our Amazon customers and their thoughtful ideas and traditions,” Jo Shoesmith, VP Global CCO, Amazon told FEMAIL.

“The stories we tell remind us that the joy that comes from doing something special, for the people you love, can encourage us all at this time of year.

“We also wanted to give these amazing women the opportunity to celebrate the different facets of themselves and the ways they express joy, regardless of age.”

Maya Waterman, the actress who plays the character of “Joy Ride,” said, “I am incredibly proud to have, quite literally, taken the lead as one of the stars of a global holiday advertising campaign.

‘Nostalgia in old age can often be interpreted as something overly sentimental that you long for, so I’m extremely proud that we were able to turn that story on its head and tell a story about three women who are not just reliving memories. , but create new ones. I hope audiences of all ages can relate to that feeling of shared joy.”

Annie O’Donnell, one of Maya’s lifelong friends in the story, said, “At our age, it’s not uncommon to be typecast. And while I enjoy playing the role of someone’s dear grandmother, it’s always exciting to show a different side.

‘An opportunity to shake off prejudices and show that we are not only ‘young at heart’, but still throw ourselves into life’.

The ad is a big departure from other ads this year, which seem to rely on star power.

Alison Hammond, Lisa Snowdon, Sophie Habboo and designer Zandra Rhodes – to name a few – feature in the star-studded Debenhams Wonderland is Waiting Christmas advert.

Elsewhere, Sainsbury’s is bringing the star power with Rick Astley, who is in store shopping for his Christmas party.

Dawn French returns as the M&S Food Fairy in this year’s festive advert and she is joined by Hollywood actors and co-chairmen of Wrexham Football Club, Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

The M&S main ad also uses a star line-up of singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, actresses Zawe Ashton and Hannah Waddingham and TV star Tan France. The M&S mission for 2023 is to put yourself and your own needs first.

Waitrose’s first Christmas campaign with new partners Saatchi & Saatchi has the Food to Feel Good About brand promise at the heart of its creations.

The 90-second advert features TV presenter Graham Norton and showcases a selection of festive food and drinks.

Sports Direct have teamed up with some of Britain’s biggest sporting talents for their Christmas advert.

It features Manchester United’s Mason Mount (for the third year in a row) leading the line-up, including Lionesses Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp.

They join Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and his teammates Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus alongside Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Ez.

More footballers arrive as Spurs star James Maddison makes an appearance, while boxers Johnny Fisher, Conor Benn and sprinter Zharnel Hughes complete the line-up.

While Asda opted for A-list singing sensation Michael Buble.