BUS-TED. WE'RE BACK!

In truth, I wasn't really ready to get in the Christmas spirit yet. I've still got 3 packs of sparklers left from Bonfire night, I've just got back from a beach holiday and I'm still trying to work out the ending to the John Lewis Christmas ad and why Waitrose's offering was shot in Black & White - food doesn't look appetising in 50 shades of grey (or maybe it does?).

But then this little beauty popped into my message hole and all that changed.

But first, let's talk about last year.

Let's face it, it was a massive disappointment. Whether we've been rumbled or no-one can say 'Christmas' anymore, the fact is, there were very few metaphorical CAWU gifts round the tree last year. <Sigh>.

Maybe things will be different this time? I was thinking of jacking it in, but for the sake of the kids, if nothing else we should give this one more go. We can't just throw away 6 years without trying. Let's persevere.

So a massive thank you to our very own CAWU Father Christmas who never fails to deliver every year, James Devon, who's always on the lookout for us.

I've not watched the original Daddy's Home, but judging by the odd couple demeanour/ layout (and now their dads too) I imagine this sequel, taking place over the festivities, is a right mad cap Christmas yarn on par with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

> Who am I kidding? Nothing competes with that movie!

I'm sure it's a rollercoaster of emotions ending with everyone round the dinner table at the end (Spoiler Alert - probably). However, it does feature our favourite line and there's christmas jumpers and a tree and it's the first CAWU of the season, so fuck it. It's in... because who knows when the next one could arrive? See you in 12 months... probably

CAWU Crew.
X

ODDS ON TO FEATURE AGAIN.

Like the tin of Pringles, the Lynx shower gel and the sack of 'tat' (a plastic bag of 'crap' raided from the Spanish 'Poundland' equivalent) I thoughtfully get every Christmas from Father (and Mother) Christmas, ASCOT comes up with the goods in its usual traditional fashion.

Having spent even less time changing the ad than the Evening Standard from last year, (I'm guessing the '15 has become a '16 and making the background more Royal Blue than Navy) it becomes clear now that they bought this concept from the ad agency back in 1978 and promptly fired them, knowing that it was never going to get much better than this and that their Christmas campaigns for eternity was sorted... and who can argue?

Now that most of the classics are out of the way, (we're still waiting for the 02/Carphone Warehouse 2016 CAWU Metro wrap for the Holly Trinity to be completed) we can then look forward to some fresh CAWU campaigns.

Let's hope there's something worthwhile in the 'Wrapped Up' sack of tat.

Many thanks to Mark 'Sharky' Cochrane for the spot. I'm pretty sure he sent this to me last year. I wouldn't be surprised if he plans their media and buys the ad space. He probably changed the date and colour too.

WRAPPED UP COMES AS STANDARD (AGAIN)

I think we can all agree that 2016 has been a bit of a shocker. We lost Prince, Bowie, R2-D2, Wogan, Europe and, let's not forget that America is about to sponsor next year's apocalypse. So in these times of uncertainty, it's good to know some things don't change.

So please be upstanding and thank the Evening Standard for sticking with one tradition and kicking off CAWU '16 the same way it has since records began.

Green seems to be the key colour this year for the Standard's portrayal of Christmas, with red taking more of a backseat. It would also appear from previous years, that it's all about the smaller presents rather than the one BIG gift this time.

Whether this is down to austerity or perhaps better things do come in smaller packages, we'll never know. However, seeing this in the middle of the paper last night was like getting a big hug from a family member you haven't seen in a year(s). I can now look forward without dread, knowing that perhaps we'll all be OK this Christmas.

A big wrapped up finale.

Like an extra present that's fallen behind the tree, there's one last CAWU post and it's probably the best of the bunch. Movies and Christmas go together like Kevin McCallister and the Wet Bandits and fortunately for us, the creatives at Film 4 have gone big and wrapped up Christmas perfectly for us. Literally.

60 seconds of pure CAWU fun. 

Looks like Santa came through for us in the end. That, and his elf sized pal, Greg Mutton. Many thanks Greggybread for spotting this and restoring our faith in Christmas.

Probably the last wrapped up of the season

Well, I said it was slim pickings this year and it looks like (unless there's a massive surge of briefs coming in the last week - I pity the creatives if that's true) this could be the last CAWU of 2015.

Three lousy posts. Th-r-e-e. We've even had to look at social as an outlet.

Anyway, regardless of quantity, let's look at quality. And there's none to be found here from probably the best lager in the world. If the CGI designer had at least made half an attempt to make it look like it was real, then we'd have something to get excited about, but I fear this went straight into design from the client, courtesy of the account department because workflow said 'No'.

Perhaps we should start a JFDI blog.

But let's not finish on a low. There's a week to go and maybe a quick letter to the white bearded big guy might save CAWU 2015.

In other news, Hark the Herald Angels, my replacement fridge door bottle shelf has just arrived!

Maybe this is the last post.

Dial C for Christmas

Slim pickings this year so far. I know December has only just started but we're usually on the wind down by now. Anyway, another repeat offender turned up last night and it was quite a relief to be honest. Please be upstanding and slow clap TESCO for coming good just when it mattered.

I have a slight issue with this ad. And that is...  who really gives a phone as a gift?

Imagine the scene on Christmas morning:

'Here's your present!'

<tears off Tesco Value Wrapping Paper>
'Oh wow! A phone. It's great, thank you!'

'It's only £49 a month for the next 24 months, you're very welcome'

That aside it looks like budgets have been cut this year, fortunately it the copywriter was still able to flex his creative muscle. If there was one, it looks like the Art Director 'phoned' it in (on his new Galaxy S6) pretty early on and who can blame him. 'Here's the images', they said 'but feel free to Christmas it up a bit.'

'Put 20% transparency on the snow flakes and send it to print.'



Many thanks to Mr Workman for rescuing CAWU this year.

And we're off for 2015!

With #MoonHitler spying on kids for John Lewis, the launch of the Pret Christmas Sandwich (6/10) and glittery MSG being liberally sprinkled over all the supermarket's offerings, I was worried that Christmas All Wrapped Up had missed the launch of the festivities.

I'll be honest, I had begun to think that maybe the line had finally come to the end of its natural life as it's been all quiet in the CAWU house. Discussing this over a post-work pint last night, my phone buzzed gently and when I looked down an image appeared that would restore my faith with the advertising fraternity.

Thank heavens for Ascot.

Not only that, but it's a double-yolker for the Royal racecourse as this is the second year in a row that they've used those four lovely words. God bless you.

I'm hoping that 2015 will be our best CAWU year ever, but I have a feeling we might have been rumbled. Hope springs eternal though...

Keep 'em peeled people.

Many thanks to CAWU stalwart, James Devon for the text. And also @MsCheeseonToast for cutting it out and leaving it on the kitchen table for me when I got home.

Probably All Wrapped Up for 2014

Has it really been 2 and half weeks since we last posted a sighting? Doesn't time fly when clients want to brief in all their jobs in one go so they can essentially wash their hands of any work over Christmas?!?!?!

However, this site isn't to gripe about such nonsense, ours is to celebrate. And so, in (probably) our last post of the year, I'll quickly sum up the final CAWU sighting.

These guys were either late to the party or it simply passed us by until now. 

Green and red, a bow tied round the product, a wrapped up URL - only spoilt by the amount of copy the client has mandated that go with it. A solid 6 out of 10 - not awful but nowhere near the ORSM-ness of this year's Post Office offering. Fingers crossed we end on a more 'fantastical' CAWU but I think we may need to close the book on 2014. 

Thanks to everyone who kept 'em peeled and sent us the sightings, we couldn't do it without you.

Merry Xmas All Wrapped Up - see you in about 11 months...

The CAWU fraternity

xoxo

The Fat Faced Family Nightmare before Christmas

Probably the best fake family scene at Christmas we've ever seen.

Firstly, who lights candles on Christmas morning?

Now take a closer look at the shot. Does it have a bit of a sinister edge to it? For us, it almost gives the impression we're looking in at this perfect family scene as if we were a balaclava-wearing intruder who's just pushed the door open quietly and is about to about to ruin Christmas morning with a crowbar.

I can see it now. 20 minutes later and the family are literally 'all wrapped up' with gaffer tape to chairs. Gagged and crying, we pick up a candle and use it to torch the house before scampering out the door with all their Fatface knitwear and pyjamas.

We've all seen the countless 'You've Been Framed' home videos of Christmas morning and know it's nothing like this. The tears of disappointment, the fake 'I love it' looks from wives to husbands - this isn't Christmas from any land we're aware of - apart from Adland.

And that's the point.

This one definitely sells the sizzle of Christmas and not the sausage. Not sure how Christmas is 'all wrapped up' in this one but we've got so 'wrapped up' in the backstory, it doesn't really matter any more - unless there's a stylish knitted garment for every Christmas item.

A slightly darker CAWU today - must be the weather, the darkness setting in at 3pm and the sodding cold I've been trying to shake for a week.

Just promise us you won't leave any windows or doors unlocked on Christmas Eve night!

All Wrapped Up Norf'

Every time I look at this all I see is a woman holding a Lightsaber.

I imagine a lot of Art Directors will be shaking their heads at the positioning of the type - and rightly so.  It does look a bit 'plonked' on and it's a not the easiest thing to read from distance. And as far as a Christmassy vibe goes, the woman's not exactly full of festive cheer or spirit. I've seen that look before from Mrs CAWU and I can tell you it's more like 'Stop leaving the f**king cupboard doors open!'

I suppose it is snowing but not sure exactly why she's in an underpass - perhaps it's to highlight the homeless at this time of year. A noble cause. I had to get 'Big Coat' out today it was so cold. So thanks 'Blacks' for bringing this to my attention. I'm going to pop a quid in a homeless person's cup this Christmas - providing there's no meths or Brew L'Special residing in the receptacle, that is.

Big love to our friend Richard Barnes in the North for taking the snap.

Merry Kitsch-mas

 

Our first complete CAWU campaign. Window displays, DM, Online - Cath has really gone to town and brought the line to life in her own stylishly twee way. Exciting times ahead for the 30-something who's looking for a £10 Christmas bauble or a decorative rolling pin for the 'Bake Off' inspired hipster (Do hipsters bake? I suppose they used to before it was trendy). 

Anyway, there's no getting away from the line but i'm just not getting Christmas from it. Yes, there are snow covered 'Dickensian' houses and the trees are laden with snow but the choice of colours give it a 'Mardi Gras in Miami' look and feel. Where's the snowman on the path? Where are the eight Reindeer and a sleigh on the roof? Surely they can't be too Kitsch for Kidston? 

Keep the line, the dial up the Christmas. If anyone has a licence to do Kitsch-mas, Cath has.

Lot's of people to thank for pointing this out. Special thanks to Sarah Wood who took time out of her holiday in freezing cold St Ives to take a shot of the window display. XXX

How do you wrap a Pony for Christmas?

ASCOT and Country Living Christmas Fair & Racing Weekend has taken the Wrapped Up part of the line literally and created an interesting scene using rolls of wrapping paper. I must say this is a new take on the line and one that we approve of here. 

Not entirely sure anyone's ever seen Horse Racing wrapping paper, but this is advertising and so it only takes a production manager and a few telephone calls, an email, a small team of designers, a favour from a printer and a courier and there you have it - A lovely roll of it.

That said, it's still a refreshing creative way of executing the CAWU line. 

Many thanks to a seasoned CAWU finder, Mark Cochrane. An Epic photo-taking stance in the reflection of the glass - one hand, side-on to the ad and leaning slightly forward. Powerful.

All Wrapped Up by the Post Office, literally

If there was a checklist for the perfect 'All Wrapped Up' ad there would be a tick in almost every box for this year's festive offering from the Post Office. The Ad geniuses have pretty much thrown the Christmas sink at this and it's glorious. An inspired piece of casting too.

Celebrities  √
Christmas Puns √
Animals in Comedy attire √
Festive Music (Bells included) √
Decorations & Trees √
Double Entendres √
Festive Fonts √
It's Snowing √
Elves & Pixies (A Punderful use of Celebrity again) √
Presents √

For the complete set, some reindeers and of course jolly Old Saint Nick featuring would've have been an added bonus, but I think we can all say that this is greatest CAWU ad of all time.

A work of true Christmas Joy!!!!

Experience the Joy > All wrapped up at the Post Office

Wrapping (News)paper spot

This is fabulous for so many reasons. It's page 12 of the Metro, Anna P (another life-long CAWU advocate) who works for Samsung (their tablet is the star) spotted it and sent it over. And more fantastically, we had a chat with the SAD of O2s ad agency (only last night) saying he'd do his best to make sure they never ran the line.

Well Matt, EPIC LOLs all round!

I would like to know why the woman has gone out in a hat and scarf but no coat though?

God bless you O2, for helping us get through our Friday morning hangover.

Week two and CAWU is moving up a gear. Usually we've got about two/three weeks left before the line has been totally purged for '14. Please keep 'em peeled

A wrap of blow for the Christmas Party?

The designer went font crazy on this poster. Art Directors of the World will be listing the different ones as we speak. And the rich aubergine and gold gives this poster a high class feel.

No idea what a Fast Beauty product is and why there are over 1000 of them but the salon looks high end, so it's probably expensive. That said, I'm really hoping this place has a great punny hairdresser's name. Something like 'Crops & Bobbers' or 'Sherlock Combs'.

A great find from a lifelong advocate of the CAWU blog, James Devon. Thanks James, we always know we can rely on you to locate one for us.

CAWU 2014 - Officially open (snip!)

On the day John Lewis unleashed its Christmas schmaltz featuring another wintery cliche (We've had snowmen & women, a hibernating bear and a hare and now a Penguin and his... well I won't spoil it for you, if you're the only person who isn't going gooey on the internet about it.), it gives us great pleasure to announce the opening of 'Christmas All Wrapped Up 2014'.

As various establishing members of CAWU have gone their own way since last year, we have high hopes that the message will be spread further. Also, we have new members and it transpires that CAWU (in various guises) exists in other forms, in other agencies - but none so comprehensive as this (obvs).

Anyway, here we go for another year and we start with none-other than actor/performer/comedian/BGT Judge/Can't-work-out-if-we-like-him-or-not, David Walliams.





As CAWU's go it's pretty bold - there's an Owl wearing glasses sitting on a bauble - there's a great pun on the bauble. There's snow - it should tick all the boxes. However, (if you'll excuse the pun) it leaves me a little cold. This could've been more Christmassy - a bow round a book, some elves legs in striped stockings poking out the snow. I appreciate it's early November, but if you're going for the Christmas jugular, you need to go Jingle Balls in.

Still, a solid start, fingers crossed for more.

Almost probably the last wrapped up...

As we near the end of Christmas All Wrapped Up 2013, it's good to see that we're still finding the odd one or two still out there. With Adland closing for the festivities I think this might be the very last post of the year. I'd love to say we've got a last hurrah, but I'm guessing if we haven't seen it yet, it ain't coming. If that's it, thanks for all your submissions and Merry Christmas All Wrapped Up.

Flat packed and wrapped

Two in one day, it must be Christmas. You'll need your glasses for this but it's there. IKEA shopper marketing on the streets of the home counties. She seems very happy to be appearing in shot. And why shouldn't she, she's made it onto the CAWU blog.

According to Harry (the CAWU Spotter) he literally let out a verbal 'YES' when he noticed the end line. Thanks Harry.

The sign reads 'We've got Christmas Wrapped Up. Bring your presents to our stand for our free gift wrap service. Today Only'

And the lack of effort award goes to...

All we can say is that we all feel a bit more sad about Birmingham.

All Wrapped up - the bumper edition

We've had quite the bulging sack of Wrapped Up finds. So instead of dragging it out, I'm going to empty it here and post up what's currently out there. Let the bag shaking begin!

First out the bag is a double header from Jigsaw... Nice to see the campaign tracking through from online into store. Good use of fake snow in the shop window. Although, does anyone really leave presents outside?

Found and photographed by James Devon (Thanks for remembering us)

Secondly, we have the old christmas wrapping paper theme press ad... A classic in our eyes (O2, you missed a trick this year - Matt)

No idea what SURE. is but we are loving the simulated tear in the design - really adds to the magic of the line. Many thanks and Happy Birthday to Mr Shaun Rogers for bringing this to our attention.

Thirdly, fourthly and fifthly we go digital. Using the CAWU line in its simplest form. No fuss, but no energy either - a disappointing 3/10. A bonus point to Beefeater Grill for at least adding the christmas icons wallpaper behind the line but on the whole this line deserves better.