Starbucks is ready to kick off the holidays!
In a press release shared with PEOPLE on Saturday, Nov. 2, the coffee chain unveiled its new designs for this season’s holiday cups.
“For many customers, the return of Starbucks holiday cups signals the start of the season,” the release states. They “capture the merriment of the season,” letting customers “enjoy their favorite holiday beverages in them,” the company adds.
Covered in swirling red, white, and green designs, the cups set the tone for the anticipated jolly season. One features a unique circle layout behind the famed Starbucks logo, while another touts festive polka dots. A third design shows different hues of green and red, and the fourth displays oversized peppermint wrappers, both signaling the holidays.
The designs were announced after Starbucks said this week that holiday drinks are on the way. The menu is scheduled to be released on Nov. 7, the same day the company will stop charging extra for customizing drinks with non-dairy milk.
The modern cup designs come as Starbucks is gearing up to return another popular experience: handwriting customers’ names on their drinks.
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Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol made the announcement during an earnings call on Wednesday, Oct. 30, noting that the practice adds a special “human touch.”
Baristas started doing it in 2012, but they stopped a few years ago.
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Niccol pointed out to CNBC that it’s a large undertaking, especially considering the amount of supplies needed.
“The number I heard was something like close to 200,000 Sharpies we’ve got to track down,” he said. “Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just going to the Staples and picking up some Sharpies.”
The chain is also set to bring back self-serve sugar and milk stations, which many stores stopped providing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Starbucks will also be pulling Oleato olive oil-infused drinks to “simplify our overly complex menu,” this month, the company announced.
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