Starbucks is ready to get the yuletide season started.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, the coffee chain’s eagerly anticipated holiday cups arrive in stores alongside its holiday menu filled with seasonal favorites and new offerings.
This year’s Starbucks holiday cups take inspiration from the bright green and red aprons worn by its baristas during the holidays, the company said in a press release.
Starbucks 2025 holiday cups come in several new designs. Joshua Trujillo / Starbucks
“There is something unmistakably magical about that moment the cups arrive — it’s as if the season officially begins,” said Starbucks creative director Kristy Cameron.
The holiday cups, a tradition since 1997, come in cheerful red and green designs this year. The cups feature “warm coffeehouse textures” and illustrations of flowing ribbons. The back of each cup also features a white tag where baristas can write a message. (Earlier this year, Starbucks brought back the policy that baristas write a message on to-go cups, which drew backlash from some workers.)
“The return to the coffeehouse and getting back to our roots really inspired us,” said Cameron, referring to all the recent changes at the chain, including a controversial new dress code for baristas, paring down its menu, scaling back discounts and reversing its open-door policy.
Red Cup Day is still on, though, when customers who buy a handcrafted holiday beverage of any size will receive an additional grande-sized reusable red holiday cup.
Here’s a look at Stabucks’ nonreusable holiday cup designs:
Coffeehouse Plaid — Green
The Coffeehouse Plaid — Green cup features a green and red plaid pattern wrapped around the the cup in a cozy design “like your favorite pair of holiday pajamas.”
Coffeehouse Plaid — Red
As a pattern, plaid’s association with the holidays “dates back centuries” and “evokes feelings of tradition, warmth and celebration, said the company.
The Coffeehouse Plaid is a “classic motif” that feels like “little wrapped gifts for our customers,” noted Cameron.
Merry Apron Strings — Green
Green ribbons resembling a barista’s apron strings are tied in bows all around the Starbucks logo on the Merry Apron Strings — Green design.
Merry Apron Strings — Red
The red version of the Merry Apron Strings cup takes inspiration from the moment baristas “switch from their green aprons to their red aprons, signaling the season,” said Cameron.
Cold Cups — Merry Apron Strings
Coffee lovers who prefer their java on ice can also get in on the fun of the new holiday designs.
Starbucks created Merry Apron Strings cold cups in both red and green designs.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:
