Asda has teamed up with Will Ferrell for this year’s Christmas advert. The comedy actor plays Buddy the Elf and takes on a trial shift at the supermarket.
The spot, titled “Have your Elf a Merry Christmas”, opens with the elf in an Asda parking lot saying “Sorry” to an Asda worker who nearly hit him with a train of trolleys. He then enters the shop, where he starts a trial shift after declaring that he’s looking for a job. While doing some of his tasks, he also takes every opportunity to experience Asda’s Christmas offerings, including mince pies, which he absolutely loves. It turns out he also loves the maple pig in blankets since he eats all the free samples. Buddy the Elf distracts his colleagues with his Christmas plans and sings loudly over the store Tannoy system, but – eventually – manages to impress everyone with his Christmas decorating skills and get the job.
The advert ends with the Christmas-loving elf celebrating his achievement by running out of the store and straight into the same shopping trolleys that almost hit him on the way in. However, this time, he doesn’t say “Sorry” anymore, but “Son of a nutcracker!”.
The song used in the ad is Frank Sinatra’s “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town“.
The supermarket chain declared it will give a “special festive surprise” to five different community groups and will collect toys for children’s charities as part of its gift appeal.