Did This 30-Second Ad Really Just Ruin Christmas?
We're just a few days out from Halloween, and already, Christmas has been ruined.
PayPal, the money-transferring website, has been taken to task for airing a UK holiday commercial that subtly suggests Santa Claus isn't real.
The 30-second ad features two young brothers who are concerned about Christmas being canceled, all because their parents haven't been coming home with large shopping bags in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
"I don't think we're getting any Christmas presents this year," one of the boys forlornly says. "Have you noticed how Mom and Dad have been around so much lately? Normally, this time of year, they're out shopping."
The premise might seem sweet enough — especially at the end, when the boys rush downstairs on Christmas morning to find a tree surrounded by beautifully wrapped boxes, a move made possible thanks to their parents' new online shopping habit.
But to others, it's a crime against the magic of Christmas — and Santa Claus in particular:
PayPal advert ruining Santa Claus for kids since 2015.
— Samuel Ayton (@SamuelAyton) November 2, 2015
Shame on you #paypal for insinuating that parents buy the Christmas presents in your new advert.....we all know it's Santa
— Tina Ridley (@tinaridley20) November 1, 2015
@PayPal your new advert has just made my 5 year old ask if Santa is real. Thanks for that, idiots
— Martyn james (@Martynjames1981) November 1, 2015
And, our personal favorite:
Wait, is that PayPal ad saying it's not Santa that brings the Christmas presents? OMG, SPOILERS! *runs off sobbing*
— Christopher (@thetroublewith) November 1, 2015
What do you think — should PayPal apologize for its insensitivity, or do parents need to lighten up a little?