Starbucks Is Apologizing Over Viral Bearista Cup Obsession

by

Starbucks couldn’t bear the outrage any longer.

Starbucks apologized to customers after the popular bear-shaped iced coffee glasses quickly sold out nationwide on November 6th. Many fans were disappointed they couldn’t get one, and Starbucks acknowledged the limited supply.

Starbucks reported to People magazine on November 6th that demand for their holiday merchandise was surprisingly high. They shared that even though they sent more Bearista cups to stores than almost any other item this season, the cups—along with a few other products—quickly sold out.

They added, “We know a lot of customers were looking forward to the Bearista cup, and we’re sorry if you were disappointed.”

The Seattle coffee chain didn’t say how many of the special cups – which included a green and white reusable straw and matched the bear’s Starbucks-green hat – were made, or if they plan to make more. However, they hinted that more holiday merchandise is on the way.

One customer expressed disappointment with Starbucks’ latest collection, saying it created a lot of excitement but ultimately led to frustration. They felt the campaign encouraged people to resell items at extremely inflated prices, supporting a problematic market.

I woke up at 4am and went to the first store that advertised having this cup, but they were already out. I then drove to four other stores, and none of them had it – they said they never even received any. It’s frustrating when a company promotes something without ensuring all stores are stocked. A lot of people are really disappointed.

For a look back at more Starbucks holiday cups over the years, read on.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m always excited to see what Starbucks brings out for the holidays, and last year’s festive cup designs were particularly charming! They offered four different looks – a beautifully gift-wrapped design, one with frosted sparkle, an ornament-inspired option, and a cozy evergreen theme – so you could really pick a cup that matched your holiday mood while enjoying your favorite seasonal drink.

Starbucks views its cups as small tokens of appreciation,” explained creative director Gary Jacobson. “We want customers and employees alike to feel like they’re receiving a special holiday gift.”

To bring the feeling of the holidays to life, the designers used classic elements like sparkles, ornaments, and snowflakes, along with cheerful colors like mint green and bright red. The result is a warm and inviting accessory that coffee lovers can enjoy throughout the season.

These cups came in traditional red, green, and white, with a touch of frosty lilac. What made them especially special was the inclusion of small gift tags, allowing customers to write a personal message with each cup.

This year, Starbucks aimed to create a holiday experience that felt warm, magical, and welcoming for everyone, both customers and employees,” explained Suzie Reecer, the company’s associate creative director. “We really wanted to spread joy to all.

The brand’s 2020 theme, “Carry the Merry,” was showcased in four main designs: Ribbon, Dot, Sparkle, and Brand Wrap. The theme’s name appeared on two of the design samples.

According to Jeff Wilkson, Starbucks’ creative director, the design for this year’s cups was intended to spread happiness as people carry them around. He hoped each drink would offer customers a small, cheerful moment in their day.

Starbucks holiday cups in 2019 embraced a maximalist approach, showcasing four designs: polka dots, a lively dance pattern, cheerful stripes, and candy cane stripes. The company said the colorful and trendy designs were intended to bring small moments of happiness to customers and partners, creating a fun and festive Starbucks experience.

Starbucks released four new holiday cup designs that have been mostly well-received. The designs nod to past favorites, but with a fresh look featuring retro colors and patterns. This year, Starbucks also introduced a reusable holiday cup, offering customers a 50-cent discount on grande holiday drinks when they bring the reusable cup with them.

Starbucks released its holiday cup that year with a focus on personalization, stating they deliberately designed it to be decorated by customers. They encouraged people to make each cup unique and individual.

This year, Starbucks’ holiday cups weren’t just about the traditional ‘12 Days of Christmas’ – it was all about the designs created by you, our customers! People from six different countries entered a contest, showcasing festive decorations like holiday lights, snowflakes, and Christmas trees on their cups.

This wasn’t a holiday cup in the traditional sense, but it still generated online discussion. After the 2015 controversy surrounding their holiday cups (we’ll explain that later!), Starbucks introduced this green, patterned design. It featured a mosaic of over 100 interconnected figures – including baristas, coffee farmers, and people enjoying time together.

Starbucks released a special, limited-edition Unity Cup. According to CEO Howard Schultz, the cup’s green color and design symbolize the connections between Starbucks, its employees, and its customers. Starbucks hoped the cup would serve as a reminder of shared values and the importance of kindness, especially during a time of division in the country.

Starbucks quickly unveiled its holiday cup for the year, and thankfully, it was red! Everything felt peaceful and cheerful for coffee lovers everywhere.

The simple red holiday cup caused a surprising uproar. When Starbucks released the new, bright red ombre design, many people on social media claimed the company was intentionally removing Christmas themes from its annual cups. The hashtag #MerryChristamasStarbucks quickly became popular on Facebook after a pastor in Arizona shared a video complaining about the lack of Christmas imagery, and the video was viewed over 11 million times.

Starbucks responded to the video by reaffirming its commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. The company stated that it strives to offer customers a festive and inspiring holiday experience each year, and will continue to embrace and welcome people from all backgrounds and religions in its stores worldwide.

Simple and classic, this red cup featured brush-stroke trees and snowflakes. 

 

These red cups were all about the hardware, a.k.a. ornaments.

It always feels like someone’s watching, and in this case, it’s a huge snowman playfully winking while we enjoy a large Gingerbread Latte! That’s a fun twist on a familiar song lyric.

The cups were decorated with cozy, cheerful messages and images of carolers, animals, and performers. This was also the year the beloved Skinny Peppermint Mocha was first released.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve noticed a really sweet trend kicking off the new decade! It seems everyone secretly adores the idea of carolers – you know, the cozy, festive vibe – even if we don’t always want them performing right on our doorstep! That’s why the first big design inspirations of the year are all about capturing that joyful, lyrical feeling of holiday singing.

The red cup featured typical holiday words like “hope” and “wish,” similar to the sentimental decorations you might find in your mother’s Christmas collection.

We love the subtle illustration making the Starbucks logo an ornament. Chic. 

We’re racing through the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh, battling traffic just to get our eggnog latte! Back in 2007, Starbucks’ holiday cups embodied the spirit of sharing with the phrase “Pass the cheer,” printed on a festive blue background covered in snowflakes.

These red cups combined work and fun – the top half looked professional, while the bottom featured cheerful holiday scenes like shoppers and ice skaters.

This event only occurs annually. It’s amazing to consider people anticipated the release of these disposable coffee cups even before social media existed, and long before the trend of taking pictures with red cups began.

Read More

2025-11-07 02:19