Shocking Christmas ad sparks backlash over 'woke' message

A provocative, blood-spattered Christmas campaign, imploring people to choose ‘compassion over carnage’ when selecting their festive menu, has been accused of being ‘woke’ and ‘taking the fun out of everything’.

Christmas 2025 adverts are dropping thick and fast, with Coca-Cola’s AI-engineered offering sparking backlash, and Tesco’s heartwarming offering being described as ‘the best ad’ of the season by Instagram users.

Another promotional clip that’s proved divisive is one released by a famous UK-based charity dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals.

The one-minute clip, released last week by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundation, sees a family sitting down at a dinner table, ready for their Christmas Day food binge.

Amid conversation about television and presents, each of the family’s faces, clothes and paper party hats is splashed with blood.

“We survived another Christmas,” the presumed patriarch toasts before overlay text appears, reading: “This Christmas, over 180 million animals will be slaughtered in the UK.

“Happy Christmass-acre.”

In an effort to get more eyes on PETA UK’s message, the divisive video will run in cinemas throughout December, according to Metro.

At the time of writing, the Chrimbo ad has collected more than 93,800 views and 200 comments on X, with one social media user claiming: "Posts like this is why you’ll never be taken seriously as an org."

“Ugh get off your miserable woke horse, leave the horse alone,” replied someone else.

One social media user branded the controversial advert as 'woke' (PETA)

Another commented: “Pass the ham, turkey, steak, pheasant, and whatever else meats you eat on Christmas!!!”

Others have praised the alternative PETA UK Christmas advert, with many remarking on its ‘powerful’ message.

“This is so impactful, thank you for doing this for the animals,” a second typed.

“Go veggie,” said a third, while a fourth said: “Brilliant advert.”

PETA confirmed that all food featured in its jaw-dropping Christmas promo was vegan to show that ‘there’s an animal-friendly version of everything these days’.

“Behind every trussed-up turkey, holiday ham, or beef wellington was an individual who felt pain and fear and didn’t want to die,” said PETA vice president of programmes Elisa Allen.

“PETA urges everyone to choose compassion over carnage this Christmas by tucking into a savoury vegan roast.”

Data last year revealed a chunk of people were willing to swap their Christmas meat dishes out for vegan alternatives (PETA)

Last year, it was revealed that the number of people selecting veggie and vegan dishes for their festive feast was on the rise.

A Tesco survey found more than 27 percent of respondents confessed they’d serve or consider prioritising vegetarian or plant-based options on Christmas Day.

"There is a growing appetite from plant-based shoppers to try products, as well as from 'flexitarians' now wanting to take more control over what they eat, while continuing to reduce their meat intake,” said Fay Hasnip, Tesco plant-based product development manager.

Will you be foregoing turkey, beef, or pork this Christmas in favour of a vegan or vegetarian feast?