As a college student, I live on coffee. While I don't like being called "basic", I do love a good cup of Starbucks coffee. Starbucks is popular nationwide, delivers quality coffee, and friendly service (plus they usually spell my name right). I know I can depend on them, so I enjoy getting a warm liquid treat from them every once and a while. When I saw #merrychristmasstarbucks trending on Facebook, naturally I had to click and see what the fuss was all about.
Little did I know I was unveiling a whole new world of crazy. The trend regards Starbucks annual "red" cups, that are out around Christmas time. Even as a Starbucks fan, I didn't really think of these cups as a big deal. They're cute, but they aren't as big of a holiday deal as the McDonalds Eggnog shake. Yet apparently they are enough of a thing to infuriate millions into thinking Starbucks is anti-Christmas. Why you may ask? Because the 2015 red cup design is a plain dip dye red design. There are no snowflakes or Christmas patterns.
Due to Starbucks choice in cups, social media users have sparked a "War on Christmas". They believe Starbucks is Anti-Christmas because of their lack of decor. People are so upset about these cups, that tweets are being spread advocating for a boycott of Starbucks. To me, these tweets are so dramatic that they look fake. Never stepping into a Starbucks again because they don't have more spirited cups? I can't imagine how you feel when Starbucks doesn't have Easter themed drinkware.
I wasn't aware that an item had to be decked out in snowmen and ribbons to have Christmas spirit. Heck, during Christmas I wear a red sweater and I think that's pretty "Christmasy". Even though I am a practicing Christian, I don't expect the world to accommodate for my beliefs. I love Christmas, but it is not practiced by everyone. Starbucks doesn't have Hanukkah themed cups, so why should Christmas cups be such a necessity? Plus people get the idea with the red cups. When I look back on past red cup designs, they seem to be a bit too over the top. Like your peppermint mocha is screaming Holidays. Yet, there aren't any specific Christmas oriented designs. Most of the cups have winter themes. Sledding and building snowmen aren't necessarily a Christmas activity. They are parts of winter. So what really is the big deal?
Is this really a "War on Christmas"? Is Christmas really about Christmas themed cups and designs? Even for those who don't actively practice Christianity, Christmas is about sharing and caring. Christmas is about love, coming together, and celebrating. I personally think if you need a red cup to define your Christmas, you should probably revaluate your values. Don't let something offend you so much that you feel they are ruining your Christmas. Instead, look at what is truly important to you. Focus on what Christmas means to you and the world around you and dwell on that.
