Powerful Christmas ad with a beautifully sad message about family
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6677"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Christmas is the time of year when life steps into overdrive. If we’re not busy buying last-minute presents or cleaning the house in preparation for the big day, we’re working overtime in the office or stuck in a string of Christmas events. But amid the drama of the festive season, it’s easy to forget about the most important aspect: family.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6683"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6682"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">German supermarket, Edeka, has released a sad but powerful TV commercial that may well ring true for many New Zealanders. While the ad might cause you to reach for the tissues, it’s a must-watch during the holiday season to remind us of what counts.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6680"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6679"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The commercial opens to an elderly man listening to his answering machine. There’s a recording from his children, who say they can’t make it to see him this year for Christmas. The man sets the table, gets dressed up in his best suit and sits alone next to the Christmas tree to eat.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6696"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6687"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In a strange twist of events, his children receive letters notifying them that their father has passed away. Yes, it’s morbid but the man has planned a trick to bring his family together this year.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6688"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6690"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">His son jumps on a plane from Tokyo, while his daughter rounds up her children to fly to their grandfather’s home. When they arrive, expecting a funeral, they’re greeted with a fully set Christmas table, and the old man sheepishly appears behind the door.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6707"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6692"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">“How else could I get you all together?” he says, clearly a little embarrassed by his own plan. It works though, and the family enjoy Christmas day together.</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6693"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1449010422090_6695"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">While the commercial might seem a bit dark for this time of year, it’</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">s a great reminder to value loved ones this Christmas. It doesn’t matter if your to-do list is pages long or if you have to travel hours to see your family, they’re the ones who really count.</span></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Related links: </span></strong></div>
<div></div>
<div>
<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/11/auckland-santa-parade/">Santa parade brings Christmas cheer to Auckland</a></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/11/ways-to-style-short-hair/">12 age-defying ways to style short hair</a></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2015/11/how-to-blow-dry-hair-properly/">6 blow-drying mistakes everyone makes</a></em></strong></p>
</div>
