After last year’s red cup mutiny, Starbucks decided to redeem itself by putting out thirteen holiday cup designs this year. All of the cups were designed by customers who used the blank, red cups last year as canvases for gorgeous, festive art. The cups are all pretty sweet, but not equally amazing, if you know what I mean.
13. Graphic Swirls
The *super* exciting name pretty much speaks to how cool this cup is. It’s nice and swirly and all, but not obviously suited to the holiday season.
12. Birds and Flowers
While this person did a beautiful job drawing the bird and flowers, again, where’s the festivity? Also, that bird’s beady eye kind of freaks me out.
11. Wooden Wreath
I admire the simplicity, but some of the more extravagant designs later on the list put this little wreath to shame. How many people are getting iced coffee during the holidays anyway?
10. Birch Forest
This lovely forest scene earns the number ten spot, but I prefer evergreens during Christmastime.
9. Ornaments
This artist’s delicate drawing makes this cup one of the more pretty of the bunch. The itty-bitty ribbons all over the cup add a nice touch too.
8. Poinsettia
This cup depicts the flower of Christmas with intricacy and detail. It makes sense that when this customer saw a red cup she thought to draw these vibrant holiday flowers.
7. Woodland Deer
Even though there’s not a whole lot going on on this cup, the striking and amazingly done deer makes this one a stand-out. I seriously wish I could draw that well.
6. Holiday Lights
The artwork itself isn’t astounding, but this cup just looks so cute. Maybe Starbucks will step up their game next year and make it actually light up, because that would be *lit*.
5. Sleigh Ride
Using the iconic image of a night sky on Christmas with Santa’s sleigh was brilliant. This cup brings back serious nostalgia for hearing stories about Santa and listening for reindeer on the roof as a kid.
4. Evergreen forest
Now these are Christmas trees. The simple image of lively evergreen trees covered in snow shows the beautiful aspect of winter we sometimes forget in the tundra of South Bend.
3. Candy Canes
This cup has everything. Candy canes, greenery, snow, amazing art. The whimsical combination of elements makes for an eye-catching cup.
2. Snowflake Sweater
Holy Christmas. This cup is so freaking intricate. I can’t even imagine the hand cramps that went into those teeny details. Look at those little reindeer! That gorgeous snowflake! Plus she’s on trend with the ugly sweater theme. Bravo.
1. Love and Joy
This cup is perfect. It’s the epitome of Christmas. I seriously cannot fathom how someone drew that. Not only are all of the details–a cozy town, reindeer, snow, a Christmas tree–phenomenal, but the message of love and joy should resonate with everyone over the holiday season.
Now you can drink your works of art (because let’s be real, a peppermint mocha is a masterpiece) in works of art. Enjoy the holidays and your gingerbread lattes!
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