Some of the Christmas commercials this year are really getting me.
Have you seen the one for Macy’s with the little boy and his father wandering around the store? Oh, this one is just so dear.
We see a little guy wandering around the store, clearly looking for something. He checks out cologne, but doesn’t like it. His father is trailing behind him and the scene flashes to a woman waiting in a line and text message comes across the screen saying where are you?
The father texts back “he’s still looking.”
The little boy sees some kitchen stuff, but passes on that, too.
The funniest part is when the little boy goes by the toys. He puts his hand up to the side of his face so that he can’t see anything in that aisle.
The mom is clearly getting agitated in the line as she looks around.
Eventually, we see the little guy meet up with his mom and we discover that they are in line to see Santa.
The little boy walks up to Santa with a pair of slippers and he says, “For after work.” The tag is Give Love. And the song underlying the whole thing is Hey Santa Claus from 1953 and it’s all just amazing.
I grin every time I see it.
Then Chevrolet had an incredibly powerful commercial for Christmas. A family has gathered for the holiday celebrations and little ones go running up to an older lady in a chair yelling “Grammy!”
The lady doesn’t really move or say a word to them. The kids look crestfallen and walk away.
We eventually find out she’s suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. An older grandchild then gets a coat and a set of keys and takes grandma out to the garage where an older Chevrolet truck sits.
Grandma seems to perk up a bit.
The two drive around town and the grandchild reminds the grandma of the various events in her life that occurred at different places. Grandma actually starts to talk and reminisce and even smile.
By the time the two get back home, grandma recognizes her family and the little grandkids give her presents and the tag simply says Happy Holidays.
I’m telling you, these holiday commercials may be too much for this old sentimental lady.
I also got a chance to catch some of the traditional holiday Christmas specials on TV – the Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. They always make me nostalgic and never fail to remind me what it was to be a wide-eyed child around this time of year.
I want to wish everyone reading these words the happiest of holidays and merriest of Christmases. Whatever your beliefs and however you celebrate, I hope it’s a good one.
Give your four-legged friend a kiss from me when you get a chance, too.
In a lot of respects, we’re quite lucky to be here and know each other and get to experience the love of our family, friends and pets. It’s a good time of year to remember that.
Thank you – yes YOU – for being exactly who you are.
And Merry Christmas.
*****
Jennifer Vanderau is the Publications and Promotions Consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
