Hardware store creates moving Christmas ad of the year starring 2-year-old Arthur

Get the tissues at the ready.
 By 
Rachel Thompson
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Get your tissues at the ready. The most moving Christmas advert we've seen all year has been released and it has the most lovely message behind it: buy local.

The owner of Hafod Hardware in Rhayader, Powys, in Wales, made a Christmas advert featuring his two-year-old son Arthur and it's absolutely delightful.

The advert didn't break the bank to make — it cost just £100 to produce. Jones told the BBC that most of that money was spent on the music. The video has gone viral, gaining over 415K views on YouTube in just three days.


You May Also Like

The advert shows Arthur waking up (in Marvel pajamas, no less) and getting ready for work at the hardware shop. He meanders down the road, dons an apron and gets to work, serving customers.

The highlight is Arthur's attempts at wrapping a present. 10/10 for effort.

Jones told the BBC the underlying message of the ad is to "shop at your small independent shops".

"I understand Christmas can be a very expensive time for everyone and they need to save money where they can, but if they can afford to, just try and shop at your small independent shops and support us, it makes a big difference," said Jones.

"The underlying message... is these big companies like John Lewis, they do really well at Christmas.

Jones added that he's received emails and messages from viewers all over the world.

Frankly, it's easy to see why.

Rachel Thompson, sits wearing a dress with yellow florals and black background.
Rachel Thompson
Features Editor

Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.

A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.

Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jessie Buckley's Golden Globes speech is a moving watch
Jessie Buckley at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton

'The Testament of Ann Lee' review: Amanda Seyfried astounds in stirring, religious biopic
Amanda Seyfried stars in "The Testament of Ann Lee."

Sony may be experimenting with dynamic pricing for its PlayStation Store
By Jack Dawes
Spider-Man for Playstation



Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!