I’m not typically one to get worked up in details of seemingly nonsense news, but this one has struck a chord. You all have heard the news surrounding our beloved Starbuck’s, have you not?
It’s become subject matter to presidential candidates not to mention a punchline at many locations throughout this coffee-land we love. But in case you’ve had your head buried in mountains of laundry, there is a huge controversy brewing (no pun intended) over this year’s “Christmas” cups at Starbucks.
For those of you who know my DH and I, we are Starbucks regulars. I could not WAIT for the day after Halloween to get my hands on one of those red cups. It’s the first sign of the holiday season. Typically adorned in stylized trees, snowflakes, or seasonal typography, these #redcups are the goblet for any java goodness ordered. So when my DH brought back my grande vanilla chai latte with extra foam in a double cup that Sunday morning and I saw red, I got excited. I mean excited like a kid on Christmas morning excited; this is it!! The holidays are here!! But then I noticed something that brought my heart rate back to resting; and that was served with a mini side of disappointment. There was no fancy imagery, just a simple logo. It was a red cup alright, but that was it. Nothing exciting. All the anticipation I had built up for myself wondering what this year’s cups were going to look like just plateaued. But did I immediately think they (the strategic marketing department at the “North Pole” of Starbucks) was declaring on “War on Christmas”? Heck no. Its marketing people!!
So, here we sit (drinking our mochas and lattes of course) in the midst of an alleged war as suggested by several Christian groups believing that Starbucks is attacking Christmas simply because their cups are plain red. I had no idea a stylized tree or some “Cheers” typography is denying Christ or the meaning of Christmas.
I think they are CRAZY!! Are these “Christians” really arguing that snowflakes and trees are an accurate representation of Christmas? Pouring some Sumatra into a red cup with reindeer standing on a blanket of snow is not going to bring me any closer in my faith than if it was served in a solid red cup, or blue cup for that matter. In my opinion, these Christians need to take their passion in fighting these red cups and apply it to fighting child abuse and world hunger. Where is your concern for the inability to wish someone a “Merry Christmas” in passing? Two words that used to define the season and serve as a representation of my faith has been replaced with “Happy Holidays” to insure that no individual is offended. I was raised with tolerance for other religions and understanding that each individual has their own beliefs. So why don’t we start there? That’s where the “War on Christmas” should start; the retailers and groups that have made it taboo to SAY “Merry Christmas”. We have A LOT more to put our efforts toward this holiday season than worrying about what color cup our coffee is going to be poured into the next time we walk into the coffee shop.
It was warming to see that Starbucks simply “wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories.” I COMPLETELY support the ideology behind their marketing strategy this season. It makes sense. Perhaps next year they will consider rolling out the holidays with yellow cups and really cause a stir. I suppose yellow seems more “inclusive”, don’t you think?
Thanks to Twitter, I’ll be inserting a few hashtags here (#RedCupSeason #lovemyredcups #alwaysbetterinaredcup) and sign off by saying that the color and design on my coffee cup is not going to stop me from ordering my favorite brew this holiday season. Now, discontinue the #ChestnutPralineLatte and #cranberryblissbar then we may have a strike.
I’ll see you tomorrow Starbucks. Perhaps my name will be “Merry Christmas” for the day…
XO,
Melissa
