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CHRISTMAS is feeling a lot closer with a feast of festive adverts hitting our screens.

The big stores are again trying to tempt us with their tantalising telly campaigns.

Have John Lewis topped the charts of Christmas TV ads in 2018 with their Elton John theme?
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Have John Lewis topped the charts of Christmas TV ads in 2018 with their Elton John theme?Credit: John Lewis

But it’s not a vintage year, with no ads as gifted as John Lewis’s hugely popular 2011 tear-jerker, The Long Wait.

Self-confessed Christmas ad addict Dulcie Pearce gives her verdict on this season’s offerings and marks them out of five.

Aldi — 2

ALDI’S ads see the return of its character Kevin the Carrot.

One has him driving a lorry full of carrots in the snow and ends with his vehicle hanging over a cliff edge as a #SaveKevin hashtag appears on screen. While Kevin is cute enough, I wouldn’t care if he gets the chop.

Kevin the Carrot returns to Aldi's campaign - but Dulcie wouldn't mind if he got the chop.
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Kevin the Carrot returns to Aldi's campaign - but Dulcie wouldn't mind if he got the chop.Credit: Aldi
Aldi's Kevin the Carrot Christmas advert is back - and he's on an adventure

Cadbury — 4.5

THIS sweet offering from the chocolate brand is themed around Secret Santa and shows various people, disguised with a Father Christmas mask, giving gifts to friends and loved ones. And, like chocolate, this commercial gives you a little sugar rush of warmth.

The Cadbury's ad this year is a sweet little chocolatey rush of warmth
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The Cadbury's ad this year is a sweet little chocolatey rush of warmthCredit: refer to caption.
Cadbury's Christmas advert for 2018 shows Secret Santa's giving gifts to friends and loved ones

Argos — 3

QUIRKY is the theme of the Argos ad featuring mischievous gremlin The Christmas Fool. It attempts to ruin family celebrations by pulling down decorations and tearing up wrapping paper. While original and quite funny, this one did nothing for my tear ducts.

While Argos's ad is unique and funny, the tear-factor is low
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While Argos's ad is unique and funny, the tear-factor is lowCredit: PA:Press Association
The Argos 2018 Christmas advert

Sainsbury's — 3

THE supermarket hired The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey for this heart-warming, funny ad. The school play theme sees a shy girl singer, dressed as a star, turn in a top performance. High point is another child dressed as a plug, low point is the singer’s US accent.

Sainbury's have a high profile director but the result is middling
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Sainbury's have a high profile director but the result is middling
Sainbury's releases its 2018 Christmas advert featuring singing star Tia, a drumming turkey and the Queen

Tesco — 0

SHOWING families across the country sitting down to Christmas dinner, Tesco’s ad focuses on that exciting festive food debate. Sprouts or no sprouts? Which fat should you baste with? How have I watched this unoriginal idea played out AGAIN? Wake me up on Boxing Day.

Tesco have cooked this turkey to death by over doing the 'food debate' at the diner table
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Tesco have cooked this turkey to death by over doing the 'food debate' at the diner tableCredit: refer to caption.
Christmas 2018 advert for Tesco which shows the different ways people celebrate Christmas

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Boots — 1

A SINGLE mum prepares to celebrate Christmas with her teen daughter and the pair fall out over bright red lipstick then make up – over bright red lipstick. All performed to a sickly new cover of Robbie Williams’s hit She’s The One. It’s trying to be like last year’s great two sisters ad, but fails.

Boots tries too hard to be like last year and misses the mark
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Boots tries too hard to be like last year and misses the markCredit: Boots
Boots reveals Christmas 2018 advert and it will bring a tear to your eye

M&S — 5

WHILE it’s not the biggest budget offering from Marks, it does the trick. The ad revolves around the idea of must-have moments for families at Christmas. And with Holly Willoughby decorating a tree and David Gandy doing the washing up, there’s something for everyone to perv over.

M&S is spot on with this ad celebrating must-have Christmas family moments - plus Holly Willoughby is in it.
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M&S is spot on with this ad celebrating must-have Christmas family moments - plus Holly Willoughby is in it.Credit: WENN
Holly Willoughby and David Gandy star in M&S Christmas advert 2018

YOU’VE BEEN AD How much do you remember about these Xmas adverts? Probably less than you think!

John Lewis — 1.5

IT’S the one we’ve all been waiting for – when John Lewis makes it OK to weep during the ad break. But this elaborate plug for Elton John’s upcoming tour is no tear-jerker and there’s hardly any Christmas involved. Bring back penguins and wispy-voiced female vocalists, please...

John Lewis drops the ball this year by choosing to plug Elton John's upcoming tour instead
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John Lewis drops the ball this year by choosing to plug Elton John's upcoming tour insteadCredit: PA:Press Association
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