It may feel like the festive season is still a way off, but shops around the world are gearing up and that means it’s time for the annual onslaught of Christmas adverts.
From tear-jerkers to heart-warmers and everything in between, here are the best of the year so far.
John Lewis
Let’s start with the Christmas advert veterans over at John Lewis. This year, its commercial stays true to the British department store’s usual festive form, with the story of an unlikely friendship, a stripped-back version of a well-known song, and no attempts to try and sell anything.
The advert tells the story of a young space girl whose ship crash-lands in an English forest. She is discovered by a young boy, who becomes infatuated with her and teaches her about Christmas trees and lights. His heart is then broken as she fixes her ship and heads back to her planet, but not before she gives him a Christmas kiss on the cheek. Heart-warming? Sure, but it doesn’t carry the same emotional weight as John Lewis adverts gone by.
Boots
Entering the Christmas advert scene in a big way for 2021 is Boots, with a three-minute-long offering featuring Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman, whose grandmother gives her a Mary Poppins-esque Boots bag that is filled with endless presents. Coleman then takes the bag with her to visit friends and family, finding a present for everyone hidden within and spreading Christmas joy to all. Sure, it’s more commercial than the John Lewis advert, but it’s heavy on the Christmas spirit.
Marks & Spencer
You can always count on Marks & Spencer for a heart-warming, mouth-watering Christmas advert, and this year, you’ll also get a chuckle, too, courtesy of Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland.
An unlikely duo, but it works. French stars as the fairy on top of a Christmas tree who accidentally drops her magic wand on a present box below, and unwittingly brings a Percy Pig toy (voiced by Holland) to life. Cue an animated pig running through the aisles of the M&S food hall, excitable about the store’s festive offerings, just like everyone watching.
Selfridges
The veteran UK department store’s festive offering is a 39-second clip that mimics a 1980s game show, as a talking Christmas tree manages to find a gift for everyone from an eco-conscious sister-in-law to a neighbour’s lockdown dog. It’s retro, chaotic and filled with glamorous items. While it may not be the most Christmassy of the bunch, it will certainly raise a smile.
Disney
Coming through with the tear-jerker Christmas advert for 2021 is Disney. In a three-a-half minute-long animated mini-film titled The Stepdad, Disney tells the story of a family trying to adapt to a new dynamic after a mother’s new partner moves in with her and her two children. The stepdad and his dog try to win over the children by building a Christmas gingerbread house, but it doesn’t quite go to plan. However, he manages to bring a smile back to their faces, and a tear to the viewers’ eyes. There’s also plenty of recognisable Disney, Pixar and Marvel references thrown in.
Australia squads
ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.
T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.
MATCH RESULT
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Jazira: Mabkhout (52'), Romarinho (77'), Al Hammadi (90' 6)
Persepolis: Alipour (42'), Mensha (84')
Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
