The Starbucks red cup has been dragged into a controversy after some groups aired out that its 2015 design was not promoting the yuletide season for lack of Christmas elements on the cup itself.
As reported by Vox, the coffee company has revamped the look of its red cup for the past years.
In 2009, their cups featured Christmas ornaments. By 2010, the ornaments were replaced by snowflakes and in 2011, it featured a sleigh ride. Come 2012, a snowman starred in the cup. By 2013, the revamped ornaments came back and in 2014, pine tree prints were seen in the cup. But early this month, the cup only had the company's logo while it remained red in color.
Amid the Starbucks red cup controversy, the company did not regret its design. Instead, they explained on the website that this year they wanted to keep it simple -- to let their customers tell their story on a blank slate on what Christmas was about.
"In the past, we have told stories with our holiday cups designs," Starbucks vice president of Design & Content Jeffrey Fields explained. "This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories."
"Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays," Fields added. "We're embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It's more open way to usher in the holiday."
Meanwhile, a campaign using the hashtag "it's just a cup" has circulated on social media as well. As reported by USA Today, it meant to create an awareness that there were much bigger problems like violence and conflict that need more attention than a cup issue.
The Starbucks red cup controversy became an issue shortly after the release of the new design earlier this month. As reported by Forbes, several evangelical Christians were disappointed with the lack of Christmas elements on the cup. Some have even resorted to telling baristas that their name was "Merry Christmas" to trick some holiday cheer in the cup design.
Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has also joined in the issue bandwagon even suggesting to boycott the brand as told by Us Weekly. A North Carolina evangelical group has followed suit on the boycott but at the same time lauded Dunkin Donuts. The donut company has released its Christmas cups adorned with a festive design and the word "joy" as mentioned by Fox News.
