OK, so maybe John Lewis didn’t set the waterworks off, but their record appears to have set a precedent; now, every retailer is trying to break the internet with a Christmas ad, and it’s really taking its toll on our emotions.

Just days after Lidl reduced us to a pile of mush, posh British supermarket chain Waitrose is getting in on the action – and they have really tugged at our heartstrings.

The Waitrose ad tells the story of a gorgeous little robin trying to make his way home to his ‘family’ in time for Christmas.

A little girl sets out a fresh mince pie, her face creased with worry as she observes the treacherous weather outside and wonders if little Robin is safe.

Elsewhere, Robin is setting off on a journey of epic proportions – with danger and near-misses at every turn.

After narrowly escaping a hungry weasel and a swooping hawk, poor little Robin is struck by a wave and washed up onto a boat during a storm.

I've officially run out of tissues. Oh @Waitrose. You are so loved. By us all. (Add a robin emoji! Please!…) https://t.co/ydCvzCbz8f

— David Feng (@DavidFeng) November 13, 2016

Against the odds, Robin recovers and manages to make it home, where there is something very important waiting for him; no, not just the mince pie – his lovebird!

Cry-face emojis have now taken over Twitter, as heartwarmed viewers brand this ad the ‘sweetest’ of all.

If Lidl didn’t send you over the edge, then this one certainly will; after all, we’re all just trying to make it home for Christmas, aren’t we?

We were expecting a bawl-fest with this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad, but what we got was arguably even better.

Answer honestly – is there anything sweeter than seeing our little children and beloved pets happy?

We reckon the answer is a firm ‘no’.

Here it is, our 2016 Christmas ad. Introducing #BusterTheBoxer > https://t.co/GjCdP6avFl pic.twitter.com/GRMLvoHVAc

— John Lewis (@johnlewisretail) November 10, 2016

Facebook user Victoria Mon, from the UK, has proven this once again, too – by sharing her own doggy’s incredible reaction to the John Lewis ad.

In the half-minute-long video clip, Victoria’s dog is seen impatiently pacing while waiting for Buster the Boxer to get his chance on the famous trampoline.

And once we get to the end of the ad, when Buster finally gets to indulge in a major bouncing session, Victoria’s dog can’t hide his own excitement!

As Buster begins to jump on the trampoline, Victoria’s pet pooch starts to bounce in her living room, all the while his eyes glued to the TV screen!

“The reason I love my box,” wrote Victoria, in the caption of the video, which has gone totally viral this weekend.

Indeed, people are amazed at her doggy’s reaction to the video.

“OMG! That is so cute! You definitely need to tag John Lewis in this!” wrote one amazed viewer, while another claimed that Victoria’s video is ‘better than the advert’.

One word: amazing.