Creative holiday video campaigns are always something people look forward to, and 2013 did not disappoint.

This year, quite a few brands decided to take a crack at the viral route and create a holiday video campaign that they felt would touch the hearts of the millions that watched and make these brands top-of-mind – if they weren’t already. But there is something different about marketing during the holidays that not every brand understands.

While the holiday season is make-or-break for many companies, it is also a time of giving, sharing and coming together. So, the aggressive salesperson angle will usually fall flat. This is the time of year when creativity needs to reign supreme, and these five brands did exactly that.

Instead of approaching the season as a time to sell, they approached as a time to give, laugh and, perhaps most importantly, make people feel good. The holiday video campaigns put together by the five brands below are certainly among the best this year, and some of the best we have ever seen.

Have a look and pick your favorite!

WestJet Christmas Miracle: Real-Time Giving

This is as heartwarming as it is impressive. A lot of thought went into creating this brilliant campaign and it does a lot to make you seriously consider abandoning all other airlines for WestJet.

John Lewis Christmas Advert 2013 – The Bear and the Hare

As noted above, this time of year is all about friendship and coming together. John Lewis, a UK-based retailer, made the millions of people who watched this video feel something very strong without using a single word.

Heineken – Carol Karaoke

Taking chances isn’t necessarily the first thing one thinks of when asked what comes to mind at the holidays. But Heineken managed to make that the focal point of this holiday ad.

Apple – Misunderstood

With an alternative perspective on today’s glued-to-your-phone culture, Apple helps people relate to technology on a much more personal level with this moving ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImlmVqH_5HM

K-Mart – Show Your Joe

Last but certainly not least, we all love to laugh. This funny advert from K-Mart leaves viewers with a chuckle again, without the use of a single word. It takes great creative minds to make people react without a blatant call-to-action.

And there you have it! These are five of the best holiday video campaigns of the 2013 holiday season. Which one is your favorite? Did you love one that wasn’t listed? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!