# Heartfelt QSR Christmas Ads McDonald's UK Celebrates Togetherness in Its 'Inner Child' Campaign By Riley von Niessen | Published 2020-12-03 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inner-child References: [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJntbYytPz8) & [adsoftheworld](https://www.adsoftheworld.com/media/film/mcdonalds_inner_child) In partnership with ad agency Leo Burnett, [McDonald's UK](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/festive-food-range) unveiled its 'Inner Child' campaign to celebrate the [holiday season](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gifting-hour). The cartoon ad tells the story of a mother and her child, who is having a difficult time connecting with her son as he grows older and takes on different interests. After much effort, her son eventually reconnects with her in the spirit of the holidays, helping her to decorate their Christmas tree with ornaments they crafted together, and readying milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Throughout the ad, Leo Burnett and McDonald's include Becky Hill's cover of 'Forever Young,' which helps to raise funds for [FareShare UK](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reverse-supermarket) by donating "10p from every download." Image Credit: McDonald's UK ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 29% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/commercials) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Emotional Advertising:** Develop heartwarming ads that connect with customers on a personal level, tapping into their emotions. - **Social Responsibility:** Use advertising as a way to give back, partnering with a charity or non-profit organization to donate a portion of proceeds or raise awareness for a cause. - **Nostalgia Marketing:** Tap into consumers' nostalgia by referencing the past or incorporating retro elements in advertising to create a sense of familiarity and comfort. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fast Food:** Fast food chains can use advertising to differentiate themselves and build a brand personality that resonates with customers. - **Advertising:** Advertising agencies can create impactful campaigns that not only promote a product but evoke emotional responses and encourage social responsibility. - **Non-profit:** Charities and non-profit organizations can partner with brands to raise awareness, funds, and engage customers through emotionally-driven campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nostalgic Fast Food Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheeky-maccas.md) - [Rewritten Christmas Song Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hijacking-christmas.md) - [Emotional Holiday Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-lewis-2025.md) - [Kindness-Promoting Ad Reboots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocacolas-christmas-kindness.md) - [Nordic QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-8.md) - [Community-Focused Christmas Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-magic-at-christmas-campaign.md) - [Festive British Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/festive-food-range.md) - [Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-mcdonalds-campaign.md) - [Playful QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1.md)