The Touching Christmas Ad Leaving Viewers in Tears

A tear-jerking Christmas video has gone viral with viewers calling for John Lewis to hire the budget filmmaker for their next festive advert.

The short fictional tale racked up more than 5million views on Facebook this week after Phil Beastall posted it in response to the store’s big-budget production, shares Daily Mail.

The 32-year-old’s video, entitled Love is a Gift, shows a man – played by actor Chris Ilston – ticking off the days to Christmas, seemingly in anticipation of festivities and presents.

Instead, on the day, he opens up a cassette box – an annual tradition – and listens to a tape of his tragic mother’s final Christmas message from beyond the grave.

Since the emotional tale went viral, Mr Beastall has been inundated with messages from fans who claim the video could have been used instead of the expensive Elton John-themed John Lewis advert. (John Lewis is a major retail store)

Thousands of commenters praised the video online and admitted that it had reduced them to tears.

Mr Beastall said: ‘A lot of people are saying how it has touched them and made them feel that they can cope a little bit more this Christmas, which is amazing. I never expected that at all. To think people are getting so much from my film. I am blown away.’

Grab the tissues before watching!

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32 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 28 Dec 2022
    9:00 am
What a shame. I would have loved to see the video but its been removed.

- - Ellen said
  - 04 Jan 2019
    7:10 am
The gift of love and memories are so much more valuable then store bought gifts.

- - BellaB said
  - 11 Dec 2018
    7:37 pm
Well, I liked the Elton John ad…

- - Blossom said
  - 09 Dec 2018
    8:46 pm
Are we supposed to be able to hear the audio? I found the clips a bit had to follow

- - ella12 said
  - 07 Dec 2018
    2:14 pm
This is very touching indeed, thanks for sharing.

- - mom93821 said
  - 01 Dec 2018
    10:38 am
This video is the reason for the season – cherishing those you love and remembering those you loved.

- - mom111059 said
  - 28 Nov 2018
    11:57 am
What a beautiful film full of emotion so sad to watch.

- - rovermum said
  - 28 Nov 2018
    8:54 am
OMG… goose bumps all over my body. That was so sad but tinged with happiness.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 28 Nov 2018
    8:36 am
Oh I can’t bear to watch it yet, I don’t want to cry today.

- - mom74005 said
  - 27 Nov 2018
    10:41 pm
Sad yet sweet, true emotion stems from a video this raw

- - tessie said
  - 27 Nov 2018
    9:39 am
I love this advert and, yes, I had my tissues on hand. An advert with a true meaning.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 27 Nov 2018
    7:15 am
Oh my goodness, how sad. Can’t stop crying. So moving.

- - Misshenry said
  - 26 Nov 2018
    10:02 pm
Wow amazing

- - cherz said
  - 25 Nov 2018
    7:11 pm
Very touching and emotional ad, Beautiful indeed.

- - Ellen said
  - 25 Nov 2018
    3:02 am
Beautiful !
What have many of us made of Christmas ?

- - mom81879 said
  - 24 Nov 2018
    12:48 pm
Such a great idea for those of us that know we are here for a limited time. What a lovely son to be looking forward to Christmas because of his mums tapes. Just beautiful
- rainemac replied
  
  25 Nov 2018 , 8:44 pm
  Totally agree,such a touching & emotional video,it’s the small things in life that make us appreciate each other!
- - MuthaNita said
  - 24 Nov 2018
    10:28 am
Beautifully done and a great reminder that its the people that are important this holiday season, not the gifts.
- cherz replied
  
  24 Nov 2018 , 10:37 pm
  Yes indeed…and way tooo many of us put presents before presence.
- - natct said
  - 24 Nov 2018
    9:03 am
It is so emotional I was in tears watching it.

- - mom7108 said
  - 24 Nov 2018
    8:37 am
Oh I don’t think I am prepared for watching this at the moment! Sounds very emotive

- - youngoldlady said
  - 24 Nov 2018
    3:59 am
This what Christmas should be remembering those who have passed and wishing they were still here to enjoy this time of the year. Simple to the point, we do not need commercial things interfering with the enjoyment.