Asda Christmas advert, 2013

Yes, we’re sorry. But Christmas IS coming.

It was way back in 2011 when this all began. Sure, the run up to the Christmas period has always been a fertile breeding ground for the world’s big retailers to stretch their budgets and brains on advertising campaigns, but in 2011 John Lewis raised the bar by eschewing the festive glitz and going straight for the heartstrings – and it worked. Really, really well

Ever since then, every retailer worth its overpriced-bath-salts has spent millions on trying to perfectly capture the Christmas zeitgeist, spirit, and – most importantly – spends, of the great British public.

The recipe for success is pretty simple: breathy lyrics covering a classic pop song whisper in the background, soft focus camera work lolls about the photogenic family, and the entire spectacle works towards a moral epiphany designed to warm the heart and remind everybody that Christmas isn’t about spending, shopping and competing with the Joneses (even though, it kinda is) but it’s about family, love and respect.

This, at least in the UK, has been the done thing in the past few years. But now Spain has got in on the act this year and, well, they might well have nailed it in their first attempt.

The new festive-themed advert for the Spanish lottery went viral almost immediately thanks to its heartwarming message. We won’t give too much away here, but suffice to say it’s a nicely shot piece of work that will raise the spirits and a smile this Christmas, and may even tempt you to purchase one or two lottery tickets.

Take a look at the video here.