Starbucks Coffee has inexplicably become a Christmas tradition. While Starbucks' role in the holiday season probably resulted from a relentless and expensive advertising campaign surrounding its signature drinks and holiday merchandise, the company has nonetheless managed to make the Peppermint Mocha practically more popular than hot chocolate in the world of winter drinks. All this Christmas spirit has led some to wonder why this year's Christmas cup is *gasp* merely two shades of red. In order to remedy this grave injustice, here are seven ways to make your Starbucks cup look more like Christmas:
1. Use white-out to make it look like a candy cane.
Candy canes make everything more Christmasy. Just don't lick the cup, or do if that's what you're into...
2. Give your coffee to someone in need.
I hate to break it to you, but Christmas is actually about Jesus and giving. That means, to truly get in the Christmas spirit, you should give your Chestnut Praline Latte to someone who can't afford it for themselves.
What's that? You like the plain cups now? What a coincidence...
3. Make Rudolph red noses out of the cup.
What's more in the Christmas spirit than walking around with a Starbucks red nose on your face? Nothing. I look forward to seeing you wear this nose for the next six weeks in order to make up for Starbucks' Grinch-ness.
4. Use the cups to perform a "Cups Song" version of "Jingle Bells."
Because how else can you spread joy to the world without writing a "Pitch Perfect" Christmas Special? Just don't make it too similar to the movie or Universal might sue you, but that'd be worth it for the love of Christmas, right?
5. Build a snowman and use the cup for its nose.
What do you mean there's no snow? Surely, since November is Christmastime, then there's at least a chance of snow and it's not 60 degrees outside as you read this, right? Otherwise, that must mean November is meant for fall holidays like Thanksgiving.
6. Buy a Christmas-flavored latte for your friend who is being a Scrooge about finals.
Wait, it's not finals season? But if it's almost Christmas, shouldn't finals be right around the corner? Weird...
7. Embrace Thanksgiving and the cranberry-colored cup.
OK, my jig is up. I actually like Starbucks' two-toned red cup because it works for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don't get me wrong -- Christmas is by far my favorite time of year. I just think that sometimes things are only special if they don't last long. Also, I adore Thanksgiving (it is a very close second in my holiday rankings) and I believe we should all take time to give thanks for what we already have before shopping for Christmas "must-haves." So, until after Thanksgiving, I'm going to drink my non-Christmas drink from my non-Christmas cup and think of my family, great food, and U.Va.'s marching band performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After Thanksgiving Break, however, you'll spot me merrily sipping a Gingerbread Latte.
