When it comes to the end-of-year holidays, nothing is more comforting than traditions. Whether you visit a specific family member’s house or prepare a special seasonal recipe, there’s always something to look forward to. This mindset also applies to television commercials, as temperatures drop like the snow, so do the familiar sights and sounds of ads you’ve come to expect around this time. Here are some holiday ads that have become traditions.
Peter Comes Home for Christmas
This Folgers ad from the mid-80s features Peter, a college-aged boy returning home on Christmas morning after a long absence. His young sister greets him at the door and mentions that their parents are asleep. Peter says he knows how to wake them up: what follows is a quick montage of Peter preparing a Folgers pot of coffee, the aroma of which is enough to wake his parents. They come down the stairs, surprised to see their son home, and the whole family gathers near the Christmas tree as the parents sip their Folgers coffee.
This ad ran throughout the late 80s and most of the 90s before being revived in 2009 with a new version. It’s easy to see why this commercial became part of the holiday tradition: the visuals and colors evoke the Christmas aesthetic, and the sounds of coffee being made—from opening the tin, to scooping grounds, dripping coffee, and pouring from the pot to cup—paint a picture of a holiday morning many of us have experienced.
M&M Santa Ad
First aired in 1996, this ad still runs today in 2025. Starring the anthropomorphic red and yellow M&M characters, the two debate whether Santa will like the red and green M&Ms they plan to leave out for him. They eventually encounter Santa, with the red M&M and Santa exchanging disbelief at each other’s existence before both faint. Featuring Christmas symbols like a tree, presents, a candle, and Santa hats, the ad creates a cozy atmosphere that makes it a joy to watch on TV.
Coca-Cola’s Holiday Trucks
Coke has been around for over a century, but their iconic “Holidays are Coming” series of ads debuted in 1995. The commercials showcase a line of Coca-Cola semitrucks decorated with holiday lights and images of Santa enjoying a Coke while driving along a narrow road. The trucks pass trees, houses, and a bridge, lighting everything up with the festive glow expected during this season.
Since its debut, the ads have seen small updates over the years. Major changes occurred in 2024 and again in 2025 when Coca-Cola used generative AI to create the commercials entirely. The consistent elements between the AI-generated ads and earlier versions are the music, Coca-Cola-branded semitrucks, and the lighting of trees, bridges, and houses as the trucks pass. However, these AI-based ads have sparked controversy over their origins.
Hershey Kisses Christmas Bells
Another ad debuting in the 80s features a small group of Hershey Kisses acting as handbells, conducted by another Kiss. The conductor (another Hershey Kiss) leads the group as each jumps up and rings their bell to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The commercial ends with the lines “Happy Holidays from Hershey Kisses” and “sweet gifts for the holidays.”
The original 80s ad was made using stop-motion animation, but in 2012, that style was replaced with CGI. A 2020 update combined CGI with live-action, but it was later replaced with a version that more closely resembles the original. The Hershey Bells campaign has been the longest-running for Hershey and shows no signs of slowing down.
Looking Ahead to Next Year?
If you’re planning a new campaign for 2026, or need some help with an existing one, make it a resolution to reach out to us.
