An Irish supermarket's Christmas Covid commercial will tug on your heartstrings this Christmas season thanks to a touching and unexpected twist. 

SuperValu's 2020 Christmas advertisement centers on a young boy named Conor, who worries whether Santa can come because of that year's COVID-19 restrictions. How strange to think that's five years ago now. 

"Is he still coming this year?" the perturbed child asks his mother, who reassures him, "Of course he is."

The following scene shows Conor writing what appears to be a letter to Santa, followed by a scene where he seems to be laying out milk and mince pies on Christmas Eve

Then comes the big twist. It was not Santa Conor was worried about, after all. Instead, it was his grandfather, who arrived on Christmas Eve amid COVID-19 restrictions. 

The pair share an endearing hug in a scene that would bring a tear to a glass eye. 

Christmas may be a little different this year but we all know who makes it extra special. Whether you’re keeping old traditions or making new ones we all love a magical Christmas. You just have to Believe……..

Check out our Christmas advert ⬇ pic.twitter.com/P3xmNiRahr

— SuperValu Ireland (@SuperValuIRL) November 11, 2020The commercial has garnered widespread attention on social media, with hundreds of people claiming that it made them emotional. 

"Ah Jesus lads, that got me. Christmas was always my grandparents arriving before I went in to see if Santa had arrived. Well played, lovely ad," said TodayFM presenter Declan Pierce. 

"Oh @SuperValuIRL this is amazing so many Irish families will feel this, over Christmas love it," said one Twitter user. 

"Tell me the ad agency I need to run up and smack them for instantly reducing me to tears," said another Twitter user.

*Originally published in November 2020. Updated December 2025.