What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
McDonald’s Netherlands withdrew its 2025 Christmas commercial, It’s the Most Terrible Time of the Year, after substantial online criticism. Viewers objected not only to its visibly synthetic imagery, but also to its bleak portrayal of Christmas and the impression that generative AI had displaced the human performers and craftspeople normally associated with a festive advertisement.
What the commercial showed
The roughly 45-second ad was released in the Netherlands in December 2025. Created by TBWANEBOKO and production company The Sweetshop, it presented Christmas preparations as a sequence of disasters: Santa stuck in traffic, a cyclist struggling in the snow, tangled lights, failed cooking and baking, and overloaded bags of presents.
Its solution was deliberately irreverent: if Christmas becomes too stressful, people could retreat to McDonald’s until January. The concept was intended to show the chaotic side of Dutch holiday preparations rather than celebrate Christmas as an uncomplicatedly joyful occasion.
Why the response was so negative
The visuals looked unmistakably synthetic
Critics described the imagery as awkward, bland, uncanny and soulless. Instead of feeling like a polished seasonal campaign, the commercial struck many viewers as an AI experiment that had been released before its visual inconsistencies and lack of emotional detail were resolved. Reports from TechRadar and Creative Bloq captured that reaction.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The message clashed with Christmas advertising
Christmas campaigns usually rely on warmth, nostalgia, family connection, music and recognizable human feeling. McDonald’s instead made the holiday itself the problem: Christmas was something to escape, while a fast-food restaurant became the refuge.
That could have worked as a sharp joke if the execution had felt charming or self-aware. For many viewers, however, the bleak tone combined with the synthetic imagery to make the ad feel emotionally empty. Some critics also interpreted the premise as commercially cynical: the campaign appeared to mock family rituals and holiday obligations while encouraging more consumption.
It raised a labor and authenticity question
The backlash was also about what the production seemed to represent. Viewers questioned whether AI-generated characters and scenes were being used to replace actors, singers, animators, designers, cinematographers and other production workers.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
That concern is separate from whether the ad was technically good. A human-made commercial can also be cynical or badly executed. But when an AI-heavy advertisement looks cheap and emotionally detached, audiences may read those flaws as evidence that the brand valued production efficiency over care.
Was the ad entirely made by AI?
That description needs qualification. McDonald’s and news reports described the commercial as AI-generated or made using AI, but The Sweetshop said it involved substantial human work. CEO Melanie Bridge said that about 10 people worked full-time on the project for five weeks, arguing that AI was an additional creative tool rather than a complete replacement for human craft. The Guardian reported both the company’s explanation and the production company’s defense.
This does not establish that every part of the workflow was independently verified, nor does it settle the labor criticism. “AI-assisted” does not mean “human-free,” but human involvement behind the scenes does not automatically make the finished images feel human or answer questions about which conventional roles were omitted.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What McDonald’s did
As criticism intensified, reports said comments on the YouTube upload were disabled and that the video was later made private, removed or otherwise delisted. The precise platform sequence differed across reports, but the lasting outcome was clear: McDonald’s Netherlands withdrew the campaign from public distribution.
Recommended Free Tools
In a statement reported by The Guardian, McDonald’s Netherlands said it had considered social-media comments and international media coverage. The company explained that it had wanted to portray stressful moments in Dutch holiday preparations, while acknowledging that many people see Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Was the backlash about AI or the advertisement?
It was about both, and the problems reinforced one another.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
- Technology: The generated imagery looked artificial and under-polished.
- Creative strategy: The anti-Christmas premise conflicted with the emotional expectations of seasonal advertising.
- Labor and trust: The visible use of AI prompted fears about replacing human creative workers and reducing authenticity.
- Brand positioning: McDonald’s appeared to offer itself as an escape from family and cultural traditions, which some viewers found cynical.
If the commercial had been visually convincing and emotionally effective, some audiences might have been more willing to overlook the AI. If the concept had been warmer, the criticism might have focused mainly on labor and disclosure. By combining conspicuous AI artifacts with a bleak sales message, the ad made the technology appear to embody the brand’s lack of empathy. That is an interpretation of the response, not proof that cost-cutting was McDonald’s motive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why holiday advertising is especially difficult for AI
Seasonal advertising sells more than a product. It draws on shared memories, familiar music, family rituals, expressive faces and the feeling that a brand understands real human experience. Audiences may forgive artificiality in a fantastical action sequence, but they are more likely to notice it in a campaign whose purpose is warmth and emotional credibility.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThat is why the McDonald’s controversy belongs to a wider debate about AI advertising, including criticism of AI-assisted holiday work from other major brands such as Coca-Cola. The issue is not that generative AI can never be used in a Christmas campaign. It is that the technology becomes risky when it is the dominant aesthetic in a category built on human presence.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What advertisers can learn
- Test the emotional idea, not just the image quality. A technically impressive scene can still communicate the wrong feeling.
- Give human creative reviewers real authority. Teams should be able to reject generated material that is uncanny, generic or culturally tone-deaf.
- Be transparent when the use of AI is material. Audiences may respond differently when they understand whether AI assisted storyboards, backgrounds or the finished footage.
- Do not treat AI as a shortcut by default. Any production savings can be outweighed by reputational damage if the result looks careless.
- Be cautious with emotionally sensitive subjects. Holiday, family, memorial, children’s and identity-centered campaigns demand more than visual novelty.
- Preserve human performance where it carries the message. Faces, gestures, music and shared rituals are often the point of the advertisement, not disposable decoration.
The larger lesson
The McDonald’s Netherlands commercial did not prove that audiences reject every use of generative AI, and its withdrawal does not establish a measurable financial loss for the company. It showed something narrower and more useful: when an ad looks synthetic, feels emotionally cold and asks viewers to accept a cynical premise, AI becomes a convenient symbol for everything they dislike about it.
The problem was therefore not simply that a machine helped make a Christmas commercial. It was that the final campaign failed to communicate the human warmth its category demanded—and then made that absence impossible to ignore.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
