The holidays are finally upon us. While that most certainly means it's time to stress ourselves out with shopping and an overwhelming sense of materialism, it also means that we should take some time to be with our loved ones and be thankful for what we have in life. Major retailer Toys R Us may be your place to pick up that awesome new plaything for your kids, but the company also wants you to remember exactly what matters during the holiday season with this new commercial. Check it out below, but make sure to have some tissues handy before you do because it's gonna get really heart-wrenching really quickly.
The commercial follows a young boy and his father as they prepare for the holiday season. Enjoying everything from building gingerbread houses to shopping for toys to visiting Santa Claus, they look happy but something is noticeably missing. On Christmas morning as they are opening each others' gifts, a remote control car – conveniently purchased at Toys R Us – rolls into the room seemingly without a driver. The young boy chases the toy car through his house and to the front door where, to his disbelief, the driver of the remote control car is revealed to be his mother who has just returned from serving overseas in the military. As the happy family is finally reunited the words “may you get exactly what you wish for” appear on screen.
If this commercial does not make you well up just a little bit then we apologize sincerely because it’s clear that you’re a Grinch. It serves as a message from Toys R Us that the important things to wish for during the holidays are not the products being sold, but the people you will ultimately enjoy them with. Opening presents with his father looks like an enjoyable activity, but the boy’s true happiness comes when he sees that his mother has returned home safe and sound from her deployment. Don Draper couldn’t have come up with a better way to tug at the heartstrings of consumers if he tried. Emotionally devastating holiday-themed commercials seem to be the new black this season, as advertisers continue to make more and more attempts to appeal to our hearts just as much as our wallets.
No matter what holiday you celebrate during the winter months, it’s still worth your while to give that commercial a watch. It serves as a beautiful reminder to take inventory of what’s really important in your life and enjoy the time you get to spend with loved ones this Christmas season. But if you happen to also want an awesome remote controlled car, Toys R Us has you covered.
