Starbucks
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Starbucks' new holiday cups mean it's officially Christmastime

You know what time it is! Yep, it’s finally the Yuletide now that Halloween’s over and Christmas is on its way. But what makes this Christmastime more festive than ever? Why, Starbucks‘ four new holiday cups for the solstice season, of course!

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The coffee giant says it’s “celebrating the spirit of yesteryear with a modern twist” in promotional copy for the new cups that come in three classic patterns from Starbucks’ rich history—a star, a branch of coffee cherries, and a flame—in addition to an all-new cup design for the 2018 season: a ribbon of black, white and unmistakable Starbucks green.

“We started this season by looking to the past,” says Kristy Cameron, a member of the coffeehouse chain’s creative design team. “Looking back at our heritage, we found something lovely in our own story, with beautiful coffee and flavors that come together to make the season magical.” And all four new cups will be available starting tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 2, at Starbucks locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Starbucks
Photo by: Starbucks
And whether bringing joy or controversy, Starbucks’ has been rolling out its seasonal cups since 1997. But CNN says the four new designs “double down” on previously polarizing cups from the chain that were criticized for not being “Christmasy enough.” (Just think of all the hoopla that hit Starbucks’ now-infamous red cups.) Does that mean Starbucks “looking back at [its] heritage” can be conflated with “Making America Great Again”? Is the ubiquitous beverage retailer turning the other way on social justice? Probably not. It’s just that Starbucks CEO Roz Brewer says he “listened to [his] customers” and they simply “loved the tradition of Christmas,” natch. There’s also a limited edition, reusable Starbucks red cup you can pick up with the purchase of any holiday beverage. Check it out:

What do you think of the store’s four new cup designs for the holiday season? Are you planning on grabbing a sweet, Christmasy drink from the coffee chain sometime soon? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

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