Starbucks doesn’t hate Christmas. Let’s just get that straight.
Sometime in the past few days, a giant myth was born on the Internet: the world’s most popular coffee shop wants to erase Christianity’s most sacred holiday from the calendar.
The evidence? The annual red cups rolled out by Starbucks are minimalist and don’t make any references to Christmas.
Image source: Starbucks
Many interpreted the new design to be a sign of the “War on Christmas.” One conservative website, for example, decried the move as “emblematic of the Christian culture cleaning of the west.” Donald Trump floated the idea of a boycott and promised under his presidency every shop would wish customers a “Merry Christmas.” Actor Rob Lowe slammed Starbucks saying he was “officially over” the chain.
Unfortunately, it seems, none of them did their homework. Their argument hinges on one key premise: that Starbucks in previous years designed their cups to specifically mark the holiday.
But that’s just not true. Last year’s red cup design didn’t feature anything to mark Christmas. Neither did the previous year’s. Or the one before that. Or the one before that — and so on. Click here to see for yourself.
The idea that Starbucks in 2015 removed “Merry Christmas” from the cups is pure fiction. It was never there to remove.
Image source: Starbucks
And that’s because the red cups aren’t about Christmas in particular. They are rolled out in early November to mark the winter season and each and every holiday it brings: Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.
Unfortunately, the way some have talked about it this year, one would think they previously featured a full-blown Nativity scene or Jesus on the cross. That never happened.
What has happened every year since 1984 is the release of a very popular “Christmas Blend.” Yes, you read that right. A Christmas Blend.
Image source: Starbucks
That’s how Starbucks marks the holiday.
In fact, it’s so popular, the Christmas Blend is usually one of the three featured coffees in each Starbucks store leading up to Christmas.
You’ll never believe what’s featured on the front page of the @Starbucks online store pic.twitter.com/ltliGhvvlZ
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) November 10, 2015
Think about it. If Starbucks hated Christmas, would they name one of their most treasured blends after the holiday? Then feature it in all their stores? Or put it as the featured item on their website?
Probably not. And they wouldn’t sell advert calendars letting people countdown to Christmas. Or “Merry Christmas” gift cards.
This company must really hate Christmas. pic.twitter.com/Rq37Bzq8Ms
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) November 10, 2015
The fact is Starbucks doesn’t hate Christmas. One might even contend the chain embraces the holiday more than its rivals or even most major corporations.
There is no need to boycott. No need to shout or tweet angry things. Starbucks isn’t the Devil’s playground, even if its been made out to be.
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