How The Starbucks Red Cup Has The Most Holiday Spirit Of All

The Starbucks red cup controversy is not going away. One look at social media, and it’s pretty clear that there are people on both sides determined to have their say.

(Meanwhile millions stuck in the middle couldn’t care less and simply wish the outrage machine would shut down, at least for a day.)

Here’s some background on why the Starbucks red cup is so controversial.

A small but vocal group of Christians are outraged that the coffee giant would release “holiday cups” that refused to celebrate “the reason for the season” in spite of the fact that Starbucks has traditionally been a non-religious, left-leaning business.

A far greater number of people either don’t see an issue or are openly antagonistic towards these Christians for ignoring all the other many influences outside of Christianity during this particular time of year.

For starters, Christmas itself was never celebrated in the early days of Christianity. (Easter was the major religious holiday, representing the resurrection of Christ spoken of in the New Testament.)

According to the History Channel website, the middle of winter had been reserved as a time of celebration far before Christ’s birth.

Hundreds of years before his arrival, “Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter,” the site notes.

Scandinavians, for instance, celebrated Yule starting on Dec. 21 (the winter solstice) and continued that celebration through the month of January.

The end of December was often the time chosen to slaughter cattle and have feasts. Germany honored the god Oden during this time, though that was less of a celebration and more of a fearful expression of reverence.

As the History Channel tells it, “Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.”

Rome also celebrated around the winter solstice prior to Christ’s arrival. Their holiday, Saturnalia, in celebration of the agricultural god Saturn, began in the week leading up to Dec. 21 and continued for a solid month.

“For a month, slaves would become masters,” History Channel notes. “Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.”

It wasn’t until the fourth century that Christianity began to push for Christmas, and it was Pope Julius I (bishop of Rome from 337 to 352 C.E.), who made the day Dec. 25.

Today, people use this time of the year to celebrate the birth of Christ, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, or nothing at all.

December is, undoubtedly, a month of multicultural celebrations, hence the reference, “Happy Holidays.” Therefore, the Starbucks red cup is perhaps one of the most spirited cups of all.

Consider the red backdrop and the green Starbucks logo.

To get how this isn’t exactly “Christmas” as much as it is general holiday, you have to go back to the roots of the red and green “Christmas colors.” Many believe this originated in the Saturnalia festival since, Sensational Color points out, holly wreaths were given as gifts.

(A sprig of holly has shiny green leaves and red berries.)

By leaving the Starbucks red cup blank (except for the logo), the coffee giant is simply urging patrons to celebrate and show togetherness no matter what their beliefs or background.

So, for instance, with a magic marker and a little creativity, your Starbucks red cup can commemorate whatever holiday you want it to commemorate — Christmas included.

What do you think about the controversy, readers — justified or much ado about nothing? Sound off in the comments section.

[Image of Starbucks red cup via Starbucks website]