Starbucks' 2015 Holiday Cups: What’s New This Year?

It started with a red cup. In recent years, Starbucks’ seasonal holiday cups have sparked more than just seasonal cheer—they’ve ignited debates, protests, and viral outrage. The controversy? A simple red cup, lacking traditional Christmas imagery like snowflakes or Santa, was accused of erasing religious meaning from the holidays. But for most customers, the real question is: what new designs did Starbucks actually release this year?

In 2015, Starbucks unveiled a range of 21 holiday-themed cups and drinkware items, including minimalist red cups, festive tumblers, and character-themed mugs. The lineup featured prices from $99 to $395, with options for travel mugs, stainless steel bottles, and classic ceramic cups.

The Red Cup Controversy: Why Simplicity Sparked Outrage

The 2015 holiday season saw Starbucks debut a new red cup design created by VP of Design Jeffrey Fields. Unlike previous years—where cups were covered in snowflakes, reindeer, and nativity scenes—this year’s version was mostly solid red, with a subtle gradient to add depth and shadow. While some appreciated the minimalist aesthetic, others viewed the lack of overt Christmas symbols as a deliberate removal of holiday meaning. Critics claimed the design erased religious symbolism, sparking a wave of backlash online and in the media. The controversy highlighted how deeply cultural symbols are tied to seasonal branding.

The 2015 Starbucks Holiday Cup & Mug Lineup

Despite the controversy, Starbucks offered a wide variety of holiday drinkware in 2015. The collection included both functional and festive designs, with options for coffee on the go and at home. Here’s the full list of items released:

• Christmas Green Stainless Steel Travel Mug – 225 RMB / 473ml
• Christmas Green Spiral Stainless Steel Thermos – 225 RMB / 473ml
• Relief City Cup (Christmas Edition) – 129 RMB / 355ml
• Thermos Christmas Tree Ultra-Light Stainless Steel Bottle – 395 RMB / 350ml
• Christmas Town White Stainless Steel Thermos – 225 RMB / 473ml
• Thermos Christmas Night Ultra-Light Stainless Steel Bottle – 395 RMB / 400ml
• Christmas Town Night Scene Stainless Steel Thermos – 225 RMB / 350ml
• Christmas Red Spiral Stainless Steel Thermos – 225 RMB / 473ml
• Christmas Red Stainless Steel Travel Mug – 225 RMB / 473ml
• Candy Scarf Double-Wall Cup – 129 RMB / 296ml
• Magic Candy Cane Stainless Steel Bottle – 179 RMB / 500ml
• Laughing Christmas Mug – 99 RMB / 296ml
• Santa Claus Mug Set (2-Pack) – 158 RMB / 148ml
• Christmas Hat Stainless Steel Desktop Cup – 180 RMB / 355ml
• Thermos Laughing Straw Cup – 268 RMB / 350ml
• Christmas Candy Cream Mug – 129 RMB / 355ml
• Joyful Deer Antler Mug – 99 RMB / 355ml
• Santa Claus Fun Travel Mug – 120 RMB / 355ml

Why the Shift Toward Minimalist Holiday Designs?

Over the years, Starbucks’ holiday cup designs have evolved significantly. In the early 2000s, cups were covered in seasonal illustrations—snowflakes, reindeer, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes. By the 2010s, the designs began shifting toward more abstract and minimalist styles. The 2015 red cup continued this trend, featuring a solid red background with a slight gradient for texture. According to design reports, the goal was to create a more universal and inclusive design that didn’t lean too heavily on specific religious or cultural symbols. However, this shift also led to misunderstandings and accusations of removing Christmas entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the controversy with the 2015 Starbucks holiday cup?

The 2015 Starbucks holiday cup was a solid red design with a subtle gradient, created by VP of Design Jeffrey Fields. Its minimalism, lacking traditional Christmas imagery like snowflakes or Santa, led some to believe the company was intentionally removing religious symbolism from the holidays, sparking widespread backlash.

How many holiday cups and mugs did Starbucks release in 2015?

Starbucks released 21 different holiday-themed cups and mugs in 2015, including travel mugs, thermoses, and ceramic cups, all with festive designs.

What was the price range for the 2015 Starbucks holiday drinkware?

The holiday items ranged in price from 99 RMB (about $15 USD) for the Joyful Deer Antler Mug to 395 RMB (about $60 USD) for the Thermos Christmas Tree and Christmas Night ultra-light stainless steel bottles.

Which holiday cup design caused the most debate in 2015?

The controversial design was the 2015 red cup, which was mostly solid red with a gradient. Its lack of traditional Christmas imagery led to accusations that Starbucks was removing religious meaning from the holidays.

Did Starbucks respond to the backlash over the red cup?

The article does not mention a formal response from Starbucks regarding the backlash, but the controversy became a widely discussed topic in media and on social platforms during the 2015 holiday season.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Holiday Brewing

For your 2015-style holiday coffee rituals, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe—bright with citrus and floral notes—or the Colombia Huila, offering a balanced profile of caramel and dark cherry. For something richer, the Brazil Yellow Bourbon brings chocolate and nuttiness, perfect for a festive espresso. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.