This is a big news week for America. The 2020 election takes place on Tuesday, and just days later while we're still awaiting the results of the presidential race, Starbucks' 2020 Holiday Cups will return on Friday. These are urgent and important matters, and each deserves your equal attention.
Starting Friday, November 6, your Starbucks drink will be served in the company's highly anticipated holiday cup. This year, Starbucks is introducing four new cup designs to bring holiday cheer to customers seeking caffeine. Let’s get to know the lineup.
First, we have the ribbon. Ribbon adorns the Starbucks green and bright red bands that wrap around the cup like a cozy sweater. You'll also notice that the crown, tail, and scales are subtly repeated throughout the design, paying homage to the Starbucks logo. Ribbons are classic and chic, and for that, we applaud.
Next up is Dortmund. Dot is a friend who started playing Michael Buble's holiday album in September. The cup is dark green with red and mint polka dots. There are stripes around the cup to encourage you to "bring it on with joy," like holiday warning tape.
We also have Sparkle. According to a press release from Starbucks, the Sparkle cups have a "retro vibe." Sparkle is cute, but whether she has a "retro vibe" is up for debate. It's a red cup with various decorations and green cutouts in the shape of stars. If you drink cold drinks, you will see the snow-white Sparkle pattern on the cup.
Finally, there is branded packaging. She is very forthright. She is very sensible. Her name is the least whimsical of the bunch, bordering on disturbing. Let’s go, branded packaging! Give us nothing! Starbucks describes this cup as a "larger version of the ribbon design," which I think is being generous. It features red, dark green, and mint green stripes with "STARBUCKS" in bold white text. This is the mug you get when you want to pretend you're a bored adult and definitely drink a toasted white chocolate mocha during a Zoom call. Brand Wrap is the brand Ribbon became after becoming an Instagram sponsor.
For the third year, Starbucks is also giving away a free collectible red holiday cup when you order one of its returning holiday beverages on Friday, November 6. While supplies last, you will receive a red reusable cup with a ribbon design if: you order Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Creme Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte or Egg Wine latte. And you don’t need to go to the store to buy a reusable cup. The limited-edition, limited-edition cups are available for drive-thru orders and curbside pickup.
Even if you can't get one of the free reusable mugs, there are other holiday mugs you can enjoy throughout the holidays. Happy holidays and coffee!
