For some absurd reason, everyone is all up in arms over this year’s Starbucks red cup. Instead of having snowflakes on it and winter-themed geometrical shapes, this cup is plain red. And, for some very bizarre reason, consumers (the crazy ones, at least) are insulted that instead of having a pretty minimalist design, the coffee giant went with a minimalist solid.
My question is, who the actual hell cares?
IT’S A COFFEE CUP.
It’s a coffee cup that you’re going to throw out the second that you’re done with it.
Stop with the “I’m so sick of everyone being politically correct, let me celebrate Christmas and Christianity and Jesus as I damn, please! How dare you take that away from me!” But…it’s a cup. Being a coffee drinker during the months of November and December does not equate to celebrating Christmas. No one is stripping you of your rights to celebrate a religious holiday. As I've already said three times and will say again and again, IT. IS. A. CUP.
You’re not anti-Christmas for drinking Starbucks, and you’re not pro-Christmas for drinking Starbucks. It’s literally a cardboard cup. Get the hell over it. And, if you're so mad, USE ONE OF THEIR CUP SLEEVES WHICH HAS A SNOW DESIGN. Is that winter enough for you?
People, their cold cups for iced beverages have snow on them.
What more do you want? Do you want a nativity scene? A tree? Santa? This is not Chick-fil-A. Starbucks is not a company known for making religious statements and getting involved in PC conflicts.
And some may say, “Oh, but it’s what the cup represents. It represents the shift in American culture from religion to complete barbarianism.” NO! NO IT DOESN'T! I have not read one single argument that is valid regarding this stupid cup. Coffee is NOT an expression of religion. The fact that people are furious over an artistic decision is preposterous. Unless there used to be a nativity scene on the cup, then Starbucks is not saying, “Eff you, Christmas!” That’s just not the intention. Not even close.
If you’ve made it past the eighth grade and you’re familiar with this thing called the United States Constitution, we have something called the First Amendment. Based on a few sentences in the Bill of Rights, it can be logically and reasonably deduced that Starbucks, as a business, has no obligation whatsoever to do anything for the holidays. Like, nothing. How about we just abolish the holiday cups and the holiday coffee flavors, because GOD FORBID anybody enjoy a gingerbread latte because it’s offensive to someone. Oh, Starbucks is anti-Christmas and anti-Christian? Tell me why they have a Christmas blend.
Hey, here’s an idea! If you’re so butthurt about a piece of cardboard, why don’t you take that five dollars you spend on designer coffee and donate it to a charity? Wouldn’t that be a nice “Christian” thing to do during the Christmas season of giving? Protest by not buying their coffee, by all means. But if you’re so concerned with infringement of your right to celebrate a holiday (once again, flawed logic here), then channel that frustration by giving back to the community and maybe helping someone have a great holiday season by doing something nice instead of complaining about something so irrelevant.
Here’s a list of some holiday charities for you. Take advantage of this, people.
1. Toys For Tots
Every year, the U.S. Marine Corps gathers toys to give out as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children. Toys are collected in October, November, and December. Spread the gift-giving this holiday season and help someone - spend ten bucks to pick up a doll or a toy race car instead of getting that venti chai tea latte! Find more about Toys for Tots here.
2. Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Coat Drive
Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory sponsor a coat drive every year where they collect new or gently used coats to give to those in need. Imagine not having a coat in the winter – awful, right? Coffee can only keep you warm for so long (a whopping five minutes while you're drinking it). Do what you can to help, and help keep members of your community warm all season long. Read more about this campaign here.
3. Cell Phones for Soldiers
The best part about the holidays is time spent with family and friends. Unfortunately, not all people are able to do that. The men and women in our military don’t always get to go home for the holidays, let alone enjoy pumpkin spice, so this charity helps to get them phones for easier communication. Donate your old phones and learn more here.
4. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Instead of valuable time of your life complaining about a cup, spend a few minutes on the St. Jude’s website and check out their holiday cards. All the proceeds go toward the hospital and spread awareness while providing donations to help with cancer treatments and research. Shop for cards here, and check out how you can help St. Jude's in other ways here.
5. Make-A-Wish Foundation
Every year, Make-A-Wish participates in charitable holiday events. You can order holiday cards, donate money, and gain awareness of their holiday giving and general giving at their website. And, you know, they love Christmas, so maybe focus your energy toward that instead of being annoyed about cardboard.
OR, if you want to get wild here and you just can't live without coffee/have broken up with Starbs, support local businesses and get a deli coffee instead. It probably has way less sugar and calories or whatever else you're worried about and it doesn't cost five dollars for a small.
In all seriousness, if your biggest problem this holiday season is a disposable cup from Starbucks, please reevaluate your life. Put things into perspective. In the grand scheme of things, a coffee cup is not going to affect your day to day life. Move on.
Happy Holidays!
