When Starbucks released the newest holiday cups last week, everyone freaked out about how amazing they were (I mean, you could legit color on them). These cups truly signify the start of each holiday season, and I have no idea how anyone knew it was Christmas before the first Starbucks Holiday Cup came out.
It’s been 20 years since the first Starbucks Holiday Cup was released, so in honor of this momentous occasion, we are looking back at all the amazing cups that have been blessed with peppermint mocha goodness. Get ready for some serious nostalgia, 90s kids.
1997
I know what you’re thinking, these cups ain’t red. The first Starbucks holiday cup may have been covered with holly and coffee beans, but it does not immediately make me think of Santa. It also came in blue, green, and purple.
1998
Okay, so we got some snowflakes and a reminder to “embrace the warmth” with this cup. I still am not feeling that festive, though.
1999
OMG it’s red. Yes, 1999 was the first year of that signature Starbucks candy-apple red cup, and it’s everything.
2000
The Gingerbread Latte debuted in 2000, and this cup was dedicated to it’s gloriousness. They’re meant to celebrate “Coffeetown,” and tbh, I wish that I could have a whole village full of coffee and gingerbread.
2001
These cups are a legit present. Look at those ribbons and stamps adorning the cups and tell me you don’t want those under your tree.
2002
These cups were the first white line art illustrated babies, and I’m obsessed with the sleek and wintery feel that the white provides.
2003
It’s all stars and snowflakes, which is honestly low-key boring. Sorry not sorry.
2004
I didn’t realize that the Starbucks logo could be made into a wreath until now, but I’m kind of into it.
2005
Because Starbucks realizes how unique the holiday season is (and more importantly, these cups are), they decorated 2005’s cups with the phrase, “It only happens once a year.” I wish I could get these cups all year, though.
2006
This more minimalist cup depicts a traditional holiday scene with some white and red contrast. Classy and understated, Starbucks.
2007
Starbucks went big for the 10 year anniversary of the holiday cup. The “Pass the Cheer” Holiday cup is festive af.
2008
This cup has a reindeer and a dove on it. Yes, the “12 Days of Christmas” song mentions those turtle doves, but this dove probably represents peace, as it’s represented in the Christian, Jewish, and Pagan religions, as well as in the military and pacifist groups.
2009
This cup is adorned with common phrases from your Grandma’s Christmas card (“joy,” “hope,” “love,” “light,” and “peace”) on ornaments. It’s cute, but nothing to write home about (sorry, Grandma).
2010
These cups were going for a more modern vibe with the animated holiday characters, but I’m just distracted by the off-centered logo placement. Not my favorite.
2011
Starbucks rolled out these babies with an augmented reality app, Starbucks Cup Magic, to truly get us in the holiday spirit.
2012
That snowman looks 20 times better than any ever ice figure I’ve attempted to make, and it’s a beauty.
2013
This cup feels incredibly bougie with some coffee cherries, coffee flowers, and vintage ornaments adorned with gold.
2014
This contrasting brushstroke red cup is pretty basic, but it’s certainly festive.
2015
This infamous cup was certainly polarizing and the subject of intense debate, which is truly a lol because it’s literally just a plain red cup.
2016
Starbucks released 13 customer designed cups in 2016, and I considered it quite the accomplishment when I drank out of each one.
2017
This year’s cup is the first ever colorable edition, and I love the holiday vibes. It combines many of the decorative elements of previous versions with a modern twist, and it’s honestly one of my favorites.
All of these Starbucks Holiday cups are making me seriously excited about the holidays, which is honestly quite tragic because it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. A girl can dream though (with a Chestnut Praline Latte in hand).