Lexus December to Remember Returns With a Holiday Twist for Parents
Every single year, I see that big red bow and hear “December to Remember,” and my mind goes straight to one place: Saturday Night Live. More on that in a minute. First, though, Lexus has officially kicked off its 2026 Lexus December to Remember campaign, and this year’s spots have a sweet twist.
This year’s campaign isn’t about who gets the gift. Instead, it celebrates the people who make the holidays magical for everyone else. In other words, it’s for every parent who has stayed up late assembling a toy or wrapping one last present.
Meet “Child’s Eyes,” the New Lexus December to Remember Spot
The hero film is called “Child’s Eyes.” It follows a young girl carrying shopping bags as she skips through a snowy city. Along the way, she stops at a store window, visits a cafe, and picks up groceries. She even helps tie a Christmas tree to the roof of a Lexus GX. Later, she watches other children open presents at home.
Without spoiling too much, the spot has an emotional twist. As it turns out, the story is really about a grown-up rediscovering the wonder of the season. The message is simple: holiday magic has no age limit. Fittingly, Willie Nelson’s “Young at Heart” plays over the top. As a Texan, I’ll always approve of more Willie in my holiday season.
“Snowball” Puts Mom in the Middle of the Fun
Meanwhile, a companion spot called “Snowball” shows the same girl in a snowball fight with two kids. Nearby, a Lexus GX sits in the driveway. Then, as they come together for a hug, the reveal lands. It was Mom all along, letting herself feel like a kid again.
As parents, that one really hits home. In fact, some of our favorite holiday memories are the ones where we stopped being the planners for a minute and just played.
Additionally, two spots from last year’s campaign, “Overnight Lexus” and “Over the Years,” are returning to the rotation.
The Lexus GX Takes Center Stage
Notably, the Lexus GX is the only vehicle in both new spots. For example, it hauls the Christmas tree in one and waits in the driveway in the other. After all, that’s no surprise, since the GX blends real off-road chops with luxury family hauling. We came away impressed when we tested the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail earlier this year. Better yet, the GX is back in our driveway, this time as a GX 550 Overtrail+. Look for our full walkaround on Nov. 15, followed by our family take on Nov. 16.
When and Where to Watch the 2026 Lexus December to Remember Ads
The new spots begin airing Nov. 4 on cable, cable sports, and connected TV. That includes ESPN College Football, Amazon Thursday Night Football, and the NBA. On top of that, you’ll catch them in theaters and on Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix.
According to Cynthia Tenhouse, vice president of Lexus marketing, the holidays are special when seen through a child’s eyes. Plus, she says making the season unforgettable for others often helps adults rediscover that magic, too.
Lexus December Sales Event Runs Through Jan. 4
Of course, the campaign also supports the Lexus December Sales Event, which offers incentives through Jan. 4, 2027. Lexus hasn’t detailed specific offers, so check with your local dealer or visit Lexus.com for current deals in your area.
Our Take: Cue the SNL Sketch
Now, back to that SNL sketch. Back in 2020, Saturday Night Live aired its own “December to Remember” car commercial parody. Beck Bennett plays a dad who surprises his family with a new car for Christmas. However, his family, played by Timothée Chalamet and Heidi Gardner, doesn’t react quite the way he hoped. Ever since then, I can’t see a car wrapped in a giant red bow without laughing.
All jokes aside, though, I like the direction Lexus took this year. Instead of a driveway surprise, it focuses on the people who make the holidays happen. That’s a message most parents can relate to. Also, be sure to catch our GX 550 Overtrail+ videos on our YouTube channel Nov. 15 and 16. In the meantime, for more automotive news and holiday car shopping coverage, sign up for our newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page.
