As the festive season approaches and holiday shopping intensifies, many brands are investing heavily in extravagant advertisements to capture shoppers’ attention. However, Hafod Hardware, a quaint, family-run hardware store located in Rhayader, Wales, took a different approach. They created a heartfelt Christmas commercial on a modest budget, resulting in one of the most moving holiday ads we’ve encountered this year.
Store owner Larry Jenkins collaborated with his close friend, Ben Thompson, to produce the ad. With a DIY mentality, they filmed and edited the entire piece in just one day. The star of the show was Larry’s two-year-old son, Oliver. The total production cost was only $130, which primarily went towards renting a recording studio and hiring a singer to create an enchanting rendition of “Forever Young.” And yes, they plan to release the song, which is sure to tug at your heartstrings.
The commercial features young Oliver mimicking his father’s daily routine as a store owner. He begins his day with breakfast, brushes his teeth, and heads to the store to open up. Throughout the day, he engages in various tasks—sweeping the floor, cleaning the cashier counter, and stocking shelves. His endearing interactions with customers include giving change to one patron with an enthusiastic thumbs up and wrapping a gift for another, albeit with a bit of a struggle, before offering another tiny thumbs up as they leave.
At one point, Oliver takes a seat in the store’s office, equipped with a calculator and his coloring book, appearing quite ready to tackle some serious hardware business.
In a touching conclusion, after Oliver has finished closing up shop, he walks down the street, now transformed into his adult father carrying the family Christmas tree. The screen concludes with the message, “Be a kid this Christmas.”
The internet has embraced this delightful ad with open arms, showcasing its charm across various platforms.
Larry shared that creating a Christmas commercial has been a tradition for Hafod Hardware for several years. While previous ads were primarily for social media and didn’t achieve widespread attention, this year’s effort has gone viral. “We’ve seen a fantastic response over the last couple of years, but nothing like this,” he told CNN. “We make these ads just for fun, aiming to highlight the small, independent businesses in our rural community and demonstrate that we can offer just as much as the larger high street chains.”
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In summary, Hafod Hardware’s touching Christmas commercial stands out not just for its low budget but for the genuine warmth it conveys, resonating with many viewers and emphasizing the charm of local businesses.