McDonald's Delivers a Magical Pause in the Holiday Rush

McDonald’s is adding sparkle to the holiday season with The Gift of McDonald’s. The campaign, part of the Fancy a McDonald's brand platform, captures the essence of finding a much-needed pause during the festive rush, transforming a simple moment into something truly uplifting.

At its heart is a 60-second film, created by Leo Burnett, that follows two parents after a busy day of Christmas preparations. Their decision to visit McDonald’s leads to an unexpected spectacle: glowing Golden Arches, ribbon-draped homes, Grimace and friends having a snowball fight and even a towering Big Mac® brought to life. All of it unfolds in synchrony with the pulsating beats of Benny Benassi’s Satisfaction, creating an unforgettable light-filled journey to the drive-thru.

With its playful energy and heartwarming relatability, the campaign reminds everyone of the joy a well-deserved reward brings during the holiday chaos.

The spot, directed by the award-winning Nicolai Fuglsig, renowned for ads such as Sony Balls and Coca-Cola It’s Mine, will make its debut on Sunday (17 November) during the highly anticipated premiere of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! on ITV at 9pm.

Andrew Long and James Millers, ECDs at Leo Burnett added: “This Christmas, we’re celebrating the well-deserved gift of McDonald’s in all the moments our customers need it most. From showcasing the feeling of joy an invite to McDonald’s creates with an epic light show, to delighting fans with an epic gift drop, this campaign sets out to ensure everyone can enjoy some McDonald’s satisfaction.”

The Gift of McDonald’s extends beyond the screen with a nationwide McDonald’s Gift Drop that invites the public to search for ‘hidden’ gift tags across the UK. The tags found everywhere, from bus stops – including LED-lit panels – to in-restaurant, and TV screens, will give lucky ‘finders’ the chance to unlock daily offers and a chance to win free food and exclusive merchandise, only through the McDonald’s App. Accompanying The McDonald’s Gift Drop is a 20” AV spot that features a nostalgic, bouncing gift tag screensaver illuminated in festive neon lights.

In addition, McDonald’s is launching a limited-edition range of Christmas merchandise designed to bring festive feel-good into homes. From Grimace bucket hats, Birdie socks and McDonald’s Christmas lights, this exclusive gift collection offers stocking fillers and collectables. The merchandise will be available as part of the Gift Drop prize pool, as well as part of a limited drop on MyMcDonald’s Rewards tiers on the app, and available for purchase via the newly launched e-commerce site Golden Arches Unlimited ensuring fans can gift others a piece of McDonald’s magic this Christmas.

Rounding out the celebrations, McDonald’s new festive menu features delicious goodies like the Big Tasty®, the new Cheesy McCrispy®, and the indulgent Terry’s Chocolate Orange Pie®. Accompanied by playful, 10” promotional spots, these seasonal items make McDonald's the perfect festive escape for those seeking a moment to unwind.

Michelle Graham-Clare, CMO, S.V.P at McDonald's, said: "Christmas is a magical time, but it can also feel like a whirlwind. With long gift lists, crowded shops, and endless wrapping, it’s easy to forget to take a moment for yourself or with your loved ones. That’s why we’re reminding everyone that the perfect festive break is always just around the corner. With ‘The Gift of McDonald’s,’ we aim to capture those small moments of lightness and joy, from festive gift tags to our seasonal menu and exclusive merchandise."

Creative and social were led by Leo Burnett, with RED Consultancy managing PR, social, and events, while OMD UK handled media planning and buying teams led on the promotion, digital experience, e-commerce shop and prize pool. Linney supported BTL and POP communications, and Armadillo managed CRM.

Credits

Campaign Title: The Gift of McDonald’s

Client: McDonald’s

Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett

McDonald’s

Brand

Chief Marketing Officer, S.V.P: Michelle Graham-Clare

Marketing Director: Matt Reischauer

Head of Marketing, Brand: Chloe Bissell

Marketing Manager: Emma O’Neill

Senior Brand Manager: Harry Jessop

Brand Manager: Emma Pellegrinelli

Campaign Assistant: Abi Campbell

Digital

Chief Marketing Officer, S.V.P: Michelle Graham-Clare

Director, Digital & Media: Kat Howcroft

Marketing Manager: Stephanie Pullen

Senior Brand Manager: Harry Jessop

Assistant Brand Manager: Sam Hewitt

Campaign Assistant: Imogen Trower

Food

Chief Marketing Officer, S.V.P: Michelle Graham-Clare

Marketing Director: Matt Reischauer

Head of Marketing, Food: Ben Sherburn

Marketing Manager: Jo Conlon

Senior Brand Manager: Harry Jessop

Brand Manager: Nasia Vassiliou

Campaign Assistant: Dina Shalaby

Agency (Brand)

CCO: Mark Elwood

Executive Creative Directors: Andrew Long & James Millers

Creatives: Cicely Alderson & Lisi Davis

Head of Design: David Allen

Designers: Tomek Drozdowski (Design Lead), Matt Slater, Roxana Iriciuc, Carmen Perez Jimenez, Bey Redding-O'Brien, Danny Flint, Milan Mezi

Deputy CSO: Tom Sussman

Planning Partner: Hamish Cameron

Senior Planner: Beth Mackenzie

Business Lead: Layla Potter

Business Director: Steph Bates

Account Director: Charlotte Crawley

Senior Account Manager: Sian Davidson

Account Executive: Dom Thomas

Lead Project Director: Siobhan Mulcahy

Project Director: Simon Jerome

Chief Production Officer: Emily Marr

Agency Producer: Hector Murray

Agency Assistant Producer: Sara Gill

Agency (Digital)

CCO: Mark Elwood

Executive Creative Directors: Andrew Long & James Millers

Creative Director: Ben Hooper

Creatives: Cicely Alderson & Lisi Davis

Head of Design: David Allen

Designers: Tomek Drozdowski (Design Lead), Matt Slater, Roxana Iriciuc, Carmen Perez Jimenez, Bey Redding-O'Brien, Danny Flint, Milan Mezi

Deputy CSO: Tom Sussman

Planning Partner: Hamish Cameron

Senior Planner: Beth Mackenzie

Business Lead: Layla Potter

Business Director: Steph Bates

Account Director: Charlotte Crawley

Senior Account Manager: Sian Davidson

Account Executive: Dom Thomas

Lead Project Director: Siobhan Mulcahy

Project Director: Simon Jerome

Chief Production Officer: Emily Marr

Agency Producer: Hector Murray

Agency Assistant Producer: Sara Gill

Agency (Food)

CCO: Mark Elwood

Executive Creative Directors: Andrew Long & James Millers

Creative Director: Hayley Power

Creatives: Rory Hall & Steph Ellis

Head of Design: David Allen

Designers: Tomek Drozdowski (Design Lead), Matt Slater, Roxana Iriciuc, Carmen Perez Jimenez, Bey Redding-O'Brien, Danny Flint, Milan Mezi

Deputy CSO: Tom Sussman

Planning Partner: Hamish Cameron

Senior Planner: Beth Mackenzie

Business Lead: Layla Potter

Business Director: Steph Bates

Account Director: Charlotte Crawley

Senior Account Manager: Natasha Meisel & Sian Davidson

Account Executives: Dom Thomas & Amy Neal

Lead Project Director: Siobhan Mulcahy

Project Manager: Adrienne Lindeque

Chief Production Officer: Emily Marr

Agency Producer: Georgina Pearson

Production (Brand & Digital)

Production Company: MJZ

Director: Nicolai Fuglsig

Producer: Tim Wild

Editor: Rick Russell @ Final Cut

Post Production Company: Black Kite Studios

Colourist: Richard Fearon @ Black Kite Studios

Post Producers: Hannah Ruddleston, Olivia Donovan

Sound Engineer: Sam Ashwell @ 750mph

Audio Producer: Olivia Ray

Production (Food)

Production Company: Darling

Director: Scott Grummett

Producer: Kelly Doyle

Editor: Adam Rudd @ Whitehouse Post

Post Production Company: Black Kite Studios

Colourist: George Kyriacou @ Black Kite

Post Producers: Hannah Ruddleston, Olivia Donovan

Sound Engineer: Jake Ashwell @ 750mph

Audio Producer: Carla Thomas

Media Buying Agency: OMD

Client Directors: Emma Gilmore, Holly Rosier, Elise Grimstone

Client Managers: Lewis Michael, Eddie Fisher

Strategy Director: Chris Mitchwell

Strategic, Creative, Technology and Sourcing Agency: tms

SVP, Client Engagement: Emma Maynard

Strategic Lead: John Viccars

Business Director: Stephanie Storey

Account Team: Alina Miculescu, Kristen Lane, Alex Hitchen, Yagna Carreno

VP Digital Delivery: Rina Kennedy

Digital Delivery Director: Rob Bond

Digital Project Manager: Frankie Hitch

Executive Creative Director: Stephen Bushe

Senior Art Director: Anna O’Callaghan

Copywriter: Lydia D’Souza

Design Director: Chris Noone

Senior Designer: Dan Fitzpatrick

Digital Designer: Phillipa Knight

Junior UI Designers: Ines Botequilha, Shardai Dawkins

UX Designer: Alessandra Maccario

Creative Technology Director: Hils Jakison

Games Operations Director: Jeanette Butler

Games Operations Manager: Chloe Gatrell

Technology Director: Dimith De Alwis

Developers: Rowan McMahon, Sabrina Lamont, Eohan Moran, Mark Wong

PR Agency: Red

Managing Director: Barbara Watson

PR Directors: Lucy Hird & Caitlin Hocking

PR Manager: Julianne Power

POP Activation Agency: Linney

Creatives: James Reeves & Hayley Hatfield

Account Managers: Juliet Leah & Lee Wardle

Account Director: Stephanie Powney