The holidays often include celebrations, family gatherings and glittering traditions. But for children battling critical illnesses — and the caregivers who walk beside them — the season can mean lonely hospital stays, uncertainty and moments that feel anything but festive. Teleflora’s new holiday campaign, “The Boy and the Bot,” shines a tender light on these somber realities, reminding viewers that compassion is powerful, and that small gestures can become lifelines of hope.
The 90-second spot opens in a pediatric hospital as a Teleflora courier drops off a holiday bouquet at a nurse’s station. Inside a nearby room, a young boy named Ben is seen laughing and playing with a life-sized robot — coloring, decorating a Christmas tree, sharing stories and holding hands during medical procedures. Through warm light and gentle pacing, the film captures the deep bond between the two, framing the robot as both companion and guardian at a time when Ben needs it most.
The story’s emotional turn arrives as the robot steps into the hallway and pauses beside the Teleflora bouquet. In a quiet reveal, the robot removes its helmet to show not a machine, but Nurse Kelly, wearing a handmade costume meant to bring Ben courage and joy. Tucked among the flowers, she discovers a card from his family that reads, “Nurse Kelly, thank you for being there for Ben.” The gesture is simple, yet its impact radiates through the scene.
“At the heart of every wish are the nurses, doctors and caregivers whose small acts of love bring healing and hope,” said John Ludwig, Teleflora’s vice president of marketing and e-commerce. “Through this campaign, we want to honor those everyday heroes and inspire all of us to be someone’s ‘wish come true’ this holiday season.”
The ad, developed by The Wonderful Agency, will appear on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and in targeted media buys on streaming services.
An extension of Teleflora’s long-running “Love Out Loud” platform, the campaign also marks the company’s third consecutive year partnering with Make-A-Wish. Through December 31, Teleflora will donate 15% of proceeds from select holiday bouquets to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Additional initiatives — including social media donation opportunities and a hands-on Wish Bear–making event at Rockefeller Center — offer multiple ways for consumers to participate.
“During the holidays, hope is the greatest gift we can give,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “This campaign beautifully illustrates how compassion from caregivers, families and communities can change a child’s outlook — and sometimes even their health.”
Katie Vincent is the senior contributing editor for the Society of American Florists.
