It must be Christmas, the TV is over-run with ads for food and department stores, all tugging at heart strings and fanning waves of nostalgia. But are the ads working and do consumers enjoy or even look forward to the annual pull on their purse strings? Brand Republic, in association with Vox Pops International, took to the streets to find out.
Coca-Cola's seasonal ads featuring a jolly Santa in a red suit first appeared in magazines in 1931 and the latest versions are still among the favourites recalled by the public. Chris, 17, said: "It's not Christmas until you see the Coca-Cola advert." A view shared almost word for word by Katie, 19.
Marks and Spencers' TV ad featuring national treasure Stephen Fry was another favourite. On this occasion it was Jennifer Saunders' and Joanna Lumley's chocolate knickers segment that grabbed 59-year-old Maureen's attention and "made me smile".
Derek, 70, enjoys Sainsbury's festive offering. He said: "The one where he's going out there with the van... I don't switch that one off cos it's quite funny really.
"I don't know what he's selling but those kind of adverts...food adverts... I suppose they're appropriate for Christmas."
Laurence, 25, mentioned the Waitrose ads: "It's a really nice advert. It makes you feel quite Christmassy. It's the music it uses, the scenes that it uses, a very good advert."
Christmas ads, of course, also have the potential to annoy. Fatin, 25, was not impressed with M&S. She said: "Everyone is all happy... it's just a bit too cheesy too believe."
Iceland party food ads also came under scrutiny. Chris said: "I absolutely hate them, they make me feel sick. I know what it would taste like, I can almost smell it when I watch it. It's just disgusting."
Finally, Alex, 18, summed up his thoughts about the frozen food ads: "If you are going to party like a celebrity you don't go to Iceland."