Twas the Night Before Christmas…

In the run-up to Christmas, retailers are leading the charge on the advertising front. With the Christmas ads already in full swing, in steps Airbnb with their first-ever Christmas ad.

“Santastrophe” provides a humorous look at the downsides of staying in a hotel, from Santa’s point of view. This animated ad follows an agitated Santa Claus attempting to deliver presents to children staying in a cramped hotel room.

From overly loud parents to a malfunctioning hotel elevator, the ad playfully underscores the frustrations of more traditional accommodation, emphasising Airbnb’s promise of “a place to call your own” during festive travels.

The ad is packed with witty, relatable chaos as Santa contends with less-than-ideal circumstances. Its animation style and lighthearted storytelling offer a modern take on festive advertising. By contrasting a generic, impersonal hotel stay with the peace and privacy of an Airbnb rental, the ad cleverly aligns itself with the cherished Christmas value of quality family time. Plus, it’s a sly dig at competitors without feeling overly mean-spirited, making it memorable and shareable.

This campaign nicely balances humour with brand messaging, showcasing why Airbnb’s marketing consistently hits the mark. If you’re already dreading crowded lobbies or paper-thin walls this festive season, this ad might just nudge you to explore Airbnb’s offerings instead.

Well done to Airbnb’s in-house creative department – this is a great campaign that is sure to get traction and makes us all think about where we want to spend the night before Christmas.

- Cheryl Wills  

Watch the ad here: https://youtu.be/5vM4rC3r6E0?feature=shared