Mariah Carey, the undisputed queen of Christmas, has officially declared the start of the holiday season with her highly anticipated annual announcement. This year, her festive welcome arrives through a playful partnership with Sephora, unveiled in a new Joseph Kahn-directed advertisement that debuted as Halloween drew to a close.

In the lighthearted yet dramatic spot, Carey, fresh from declaring “Halloween slayed,” faces a yuletide crisis: her new Sephora beauty essentials, intended for the 2025 holidays, have been pilfered from her bag. The pop diva demands to know who committed the beauty heist, setting the stage for a comical confrontation. The culprit is revealed not to be the Grinch, but comedian Billy Eichner, portraying an overworked elf driven to strike for better treatment during the demanding Christmas period.

Eichner’s character taunts Carey, announcing an “elf revenge for putting us through holiday hell” and declaring, “Santa’s helper quit. I’m pawning this so I can afford elf therapy!” A defiant Carey confronts him, stating, “That’s my blush, elf boy,” to which the elf retorts, “Your lipstick? I’m taking it. No bells. No cheer. No glam. Bye, sweetie.” The advertisement humorously explores how Carey will save Christmas from being canceled amidst this elf rebellion.

This festive commercial aligns with Carey’s recent release of a comprehensive collection of holiday merchandise. Fans can now adorn their homes and themselves with items like a snow globe that plays “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a Christmas sweater, earmuffs, socks, pajamas, a robe, slippers, ornaments, stockings, holiday baking supplies, and a large inflatable lawn decoration. While Mariah famously declares she doesn't “want a lot for Christmas,” she has certainly provided her fans with an abundance of options for their holiday wish lists.

Beyond the new ad and merchandise, Carey’s influence on the holiday season is cemented by her enduring hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The song continues to be a staple for Christmas music lovers, achieving a remarkable 18 total weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart, with four of those weeks occurring just last year, solidifying its status as her longest-reigning chart-topper.