Huxley Mouse is part of the Holiday 2010 collection at Starbucks and it’s an adorable plush mouse. It’s been released in Canada already, and will soon be available in the U.S. too, later this month. There will be a few various items all Huxley Mouse themed including a little book, a tumbler and the mouse. The cool part of the Huxley Mouse collection is that the book features an original story written by Starbucks partners (Starbucks calls their employees “partners”) and emphasizing the importance of sharing and caring during the holiday season. The illustrations in the book are partner-created too. I think we are right around the corner from the launch of all the holiday 2010 merchandise and beverages, so I thought I would share something that jumped out to me as especially heart warming. I can’t wait to buy this. I have heard that the little book that goes with the Huxley Mouse is not available in Canada, and is a U.S. only item, though I’m not totally positive.
Many thank yous to the anonymous partners who helped me with this blog post. Four different partners helped me with the content, and 3 in Canada sent me some nice pictures of the Holiday 2010 lineup in Canada. I realize that since Holiday has already been launched internationally (Japan, Canada, and I think UK launches this week) that literally millions of people have already seen photos of the Holiday 2010 lineup, but I thought it would be fun to take a look here at StarbucksMelody.com too.
It was back in June this year I asked my readers what Christmas merchandise did they want to see this year at Starbucks? That blog post is here. I’m sure that lots of people are excited for the return of Christmas Blend (as I am too), and holiday cups and tumblers too. I don’t know if there will be a nice plush bearista bear included in the Holiday 2010 collection but it seems like it would fit.
One thing that is funny about this Holiday roll out is that the actual signage and marketing itself doesn’t look all that warm and cozy and festive to me. Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to this year’s Christmas at Starbucks. I genuinely think the Huxley Mouse is cute, and I can’t wait to get my hands on one. As always, I’m looking forward to Christmas Blend, and this year I’m even impressed by Christmas Blend Via. The Holiday lineup of beverages is back, and now I can start asking for Gingerbread sauce in my oatmeal! That is a great addition to oatmeal, and asking for dark cherry earlier this year was only a weak substitution. There’s been lots of gossip surrounding the return of the Caramel Brulee Latte this year, and that’s one more welcome addition to Holiday 2010.
Enjoy the pictures! And thank you again to the partners who helped me put together this blog post.
This is an open thread. Feel free to talk about anything Starbucks-related, or this cute little mouse.
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I am always very excited about the Christmas promotion in stores…this mouse looks really cute. And I really laughed when I read this sign “Meet Huxley. A loveable mouse.” HaHa! 😀
But I wonder why they called it Huxley? Really interesting name.
I think my store has already sold out of Huxleys (we didn’t get very many to start with anyways). And we are anticipating on selling a bunch of the Huxley cups! The candy cane personal cold cups are selling like crazy too.
Also, some of our holiday tumblers, have a little huxley at the bottom (there is a plastic layer between Huxley and the beverage part to protect him) lying on top of a book and reading it. It’s really cute!
Ah yeah, I did the holiday rollout and we didn’t get out of the store until 1:45AM. O_O
After reading this post and seeing all the pictures, I’m especially excited for holiday setup this year! We still have a couple of weeks before this happens but I’m glad we have a chance to see how it all looks. The mouse is especially cute and I’m glad there’s no glitter this year! (at least from what I can tell 😀 )
oh BTW, I know it’s 2010. but for us at Starbucks, this is Holiday 2011 😀 Thanks for the post Melody! awesome as always!
Ugh, I’m getting a Huxley as soon as it’s out. That is so stinkin’ cute.
I happened upon a store on Monday night – mid-rollout! It was chaos and pandaemonium! The cafe was full and there were Partners and ‘stuff’ all over the store! I tried to stand in line to order a beverage, just to wait for the till Partner and one of the rollout Partners to quit having their conversation! Then I got some rude glares from the SM and to say that there was ANYTHING legendary about that experience (or any of my more recent Starbucks experiences recently) would be grasping at straws that simply do not exist! In regards to the design of this rollout, it looks like they almost forgot that Christmas was coming and when they remembered they handed the whole project over to some new designer and it was thrown together – with no thought to the past heritage and culture of Christmas at Starbucks! I think the promotional material is a bit too ‘kiddish’ and ‘cartoonie’. It reminds me of the Rankin/Bass Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, except worse!
Perhaps it was the combination of along day and having the ‘new and exciting’ Christmas drinks pushed at me when I wanted something totally different, or the completely unwelcoming and unlegendary Partners, not sure.
In any case, I will have to go back in and give it another go – maybe it will strike some cord with me going back to my childhood.
@Sebastian, now I’m curious about that name, too! I’ve never heard of this cute little mouse before…
@Melody, I love the photos you posted! Very retro. Are those holiday bearistas this years? So cute! I can’t wait to see the starbucks around your area decked out in christmas decorations! I hope you’ll post about them, too 🙂
Love all these pics Melody! and, I do like the mouse….God knows he is MUCH more than the recession bear of last yr. The ‘bears’ you show in Canada are cute, really cute. I am still hoping that Sbux keeps its word about bringing back the ‘real Bearista bears’, as they said they would be doing. I think the mouse is totally adorable, but it’s not nearly the paired, dressed bears. (am I always negative on here??? I don’t intend to be…..I hope it doesn’t sound that way ;(
Great Post Melody! It’s put me in the holiday spirit and there looks to be a lot of items that will be going on my gift list. And some Christmas Blend Espresso Roast for me…
@CD – get that Christmas Espresso Roast! It is delicious. (and I’m not really a coffee drinker so that’s saying something!)
The book that the Bearista Bear is holding is the book in which Huxley is featured (The Mouse Writer) and it is indeed a US only product. There are three (I think) different Huxley mugs. A ceramic one which is very cute, the little short tumbler for kids, and then the tumbler that stasi01 mentioned. (You can probably see examples of each on the picture of the Gifts under $15 table)
Oh Huxley is so cute! Lilly loves dolls ~ she used to slowly assimilate my bearista bears into her collection…
Last Christmas was a rough one for us, as it was for many families. I haven’t seen all the holiday decòr and offerings for the stores yet ~ it’s beginning to sound to me like there may be some return to simpler times or nostalgia theme underlying it. I’m looking forward to seeing it in full bloom.
It seems that so many people are a bit edgy this year ~ worried about home, work, life… The holidays fast approach is daunting. It’s really easy to take out those stressors in small ways on customers, co-workers, family…
Be kind. Smile. Say thank you. It doesn’t cost anything and certainly a happier barrista makes a better beverage.
Thanks for another ahead of the curve excellent post Melody. Christmas 2010 has not yet hit my Starbucks they are just rolling out Thanksgiving Blend, YUM. I never did find a halloween barista bear so I will have to look every day for the Huxley the Christmas mouse, he is so cute!! I also cannot wait to see the holiday city specific mugs, My husband already knows he has to buy me a NYC one, wish I could teleport to london to get one of their Christmas mugs. Looks like I’m going to be doing alot of christmas shopping at starbucks. Cheers!
@Donna and @Coolwatyr –
Hi coolwatyr – I am sorry your Christmas was lean last year. This year is a very simple, plain theme. I’m not totally sure how I feel about it. It looks like a lot of thought went into specific merchandise items but not really the whole overall look of the store. And thank you again for dropping by here.
Hi Donna – Oh I would love to have a London city mug too! As for the Huxley Mouse, I literally plan to get him on the first day. I think he is going to go fast!
Oh – and Joy tea is coming back! Don’t know if it’s full leaf or not, but it’s return is welcomed in CD’s house!
I love the picture with the menorah! I really hope my store has something similar, but I doubt it as I am the only Jewish partner in my district. *sigh* I can not wait to try the new full leaf Joy and have my first CBL. =)
Huxley is adorable! I’m not really one to purchase stuffed animals, but I may have to make an exception for him! Thanks for the preview … I wouldn’t have known to look for one without this post!
Cuuute! Will definitely be getting a mouse!
A mouse? That’s great – I’ve lately been in the market for a new plush mouse.
😉
Great blog, Melody! Thanks so much for the preview. I’m very excited to try my sample of VIA Christmas Blend I got today – I’ll let you know what I think of it. The Christmas Lattes are already out in the stores and I’m think a Gingerbread Latte will be tried very soon! 😉
@CD – Joy Tea is indeed back and yes it IS full-leaf! They are sold in metal canisters just like all our other teas. I’m not sure if it more expensive than the regular teas. I haven’t rung any through yet, though I have done plenty of partner weekly markouts for them. Joy tea is a partner favourite at my store!
I do agree this year’s theme is more colourful and childish, perhaps it is to contrast last year…where I thought even the partner holiday tshirts were a “recession red” as well as the colour of our aprons.
Awesome post, Melody! The bear this year is so much better than last year’s recession bear. poor little dude. Love the mouse too!
Another great post Melody!
On a side note, i really like the decor this year. I find it understated and tasteful. Every store will have a different impact due to it’s own decor. My store is actually painted the mint green colour and the exact red shade… so the rollout doesn’t pop out as much. (i like that)
That store looks TOP NOTCH. The Store Manager really has it together! (LOL, I’m pretty sure I know who sent you a lot of the pictures.) This actually makes me really excited for Christmas set up!
And also, I’m really sorry you had a bad experience @MatthewF. Definitely puts me in the perspective to not act like that during out set up. But I like the design! Its very… geometric!
I remember last year that the local district manager ordered stores to only put up half their Holiday decorations….perhaps that thought went corporate-wide. With all the comments on sustainability and the disposable cup (another large article in Fast Company this month), I can see why they may have felt the need to tone it down….that and cost. Who knows, maybe the cost of garland in Chinese has gone up this year. I am sure there are many variables that go into decisions like this.
I have some questions….what are the special drinks this year? Is the caramel apple cider back (I have a friend that cant drink enough of it) How about the 12 Days of Starbucks? (Oh, I just cheated and looked on the Starbucks.ca site)
Am I the only one that remembers that things like Bearista Bears and plush toys were supposed to be anathema to the core of the brand and the blah blahabout getting back to our core? Now I agree these are cute and I have nothing against stuffed animals, but partners out there have to agree with me that we were told during the soul searching years that we were getting rid of breakfast sandwiches, that we cared so much about romance, why was a coffee shop selling toys and cds? etc etc. This was straight out of Howard’s mouth. None of these came to pass and now it seems everyone in the company behaves like the CEO never said these things. Well the emperor has no clothes people!
According to the store manager where I go…….they HAVE all the Christmas stuff already and will be putting it out about 11/16??? (we only have the various red paper cups so far). He told me that they did receive the ‘mouse’, but no bears. In his opinion, that means we aren’t getting the ‘bearista bears’ returned….as we were told we would! The mouse is adorable, totally, but it’s not the dressed bearista bears, by any means. I just can’t see why they (ie: on msi) would declare the bearista bears are returning, and then…….not.
The mouse is so cute! I am still am wishing they would have more generic holiday items since I do not celebrate Xmas. Is that a menorah I see in one of the pics? First time I have seen a menorah in a SB store.
@sbsmooth – Yes you’re right. Too much clutter and merchandise was Starbucks’ thinking in early 2008. Howard said (early 2008) that he would get rid of big CD displays, bearista bears, breakfast sandwiches, and bring back the aroma of coffee with Pike Place Roast being ground every morning by the baristas and being brewed every 30 minutes. And Pike Place Roast was sort of, “hand scooped”. Menu boards showed the roast date of the Pike Place Roast! Well, most of that didn’t stick.
Hi, everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I got to try the VIA Christmas Blend today. It’s pretty nice…very bold with hints of spice. I’m really looking forward to trying the reg. Christmas Blend as I’m sure it’ll be amazing! I’ve always been skeptical of the VIA but I think this is a really good choice when you’re stuck in the office and don’t have a local Starbucks nearby! I plan on purchasing a box of the VIA Christmas Blend just for that…for use when I’m in the office. Enjoy, Lori
@Karldotcom – I believe you mean the caramel apple spice. That drink is available all year round. It’s just steamed apple juice with cinnamon dolce syrup topped with whipped cream and drizzle.
The promotional drinks this year are basically the same as the previous: Just the usuals…eggnog lattes (regular and reduced fat, and chai eggnog latte), although there is no longer a ChEgngLatte button on the POS (anybody know how to charge for this? Chai, add eggnog or eggnog latte add chai syrup?). Back on topic, we have peppermint mochas, peppermint hot chocolate and caramel brulé lattes.
AUGH!!! CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *SQUEEEEEE!* All I could do is squee and coo over Huxley LOL I’m so glad you know all the starbucks people and enthusiasts that you do! I always get giddy when you are able to give us sneak peaks of things to come! I love starbucks merchandise in general and I never thought of anything other than the bears but I have to say I REALLY like the mouse! 🙂 Thank you again for sharing!!!
@stsai01 – Do you have Gingerbread lattes where you are? Those are a nice treat now and then. Good question on how to charge for a Chai Eggnog latte. I’d assume it’s Eggnog Latte + add sauce (50 cents) for the Chai syrup.
@darkkatpouncing – With a name like yours, I should have known you like mice. A little kat and mouse? That’s got to be the most enthusiastic reply in this thread. Yes, there was a time when plush stuffed toys were outcast from Starbucks, but I’m glad they’re back too! I like this mouse sooo much too! Thanks for the great reply.
@caeruleus – Thanks for dropping by the blog! I don’t see enough of you my friend!
@Akarisame – Maybe “understated” is the right word. It just doesn’t look like it has any coherent theme in terms of the visuals. I liked the big balls of yarn, and the year that everything was re-used. It thematically all worked together. This year is angular images of people and I don’t ‘connect’ with it. Nonetheless, I like some of the merch and beverage options this holiday season.
Starbucks Germany just announced their Christmas drinks…
– Gingerbread Latte
– Toffee Nut Latte
– Mocha Praliné
Can’t wait for the last one!! But I miss the Dark Cherry Latte…
re: the ‘mouse’. Does he have the traditional Sbux stamp with yr on his….foot?
@Melody, yes we do have the gingerbread latte. I completely forgot to include that. It’s not featured as much as the dominating Peppermint mocha, Caramel Brulee and other drinks etc, so it’s not very popular. I’ve only made a handful so far!
@stsai01 – I ring it up as Chai Latte + Eggnog on the dairy screen, since a Chegnog does not have espresso in it, it doesn’t make sense to ring it up as Eggnog Latte + Chai. (They might be the same price though, in that case, I guess it doesn’t really matter which way you do it!)
So I just won a starbucks GC and I’ve been trying to decide what to do with it since I don’t actually drink coffee. You”re the first person I thought of Melody… and I’m glad I stopped by. Huxley is so cute and my son loves stuffed animals, I am definetly going to be picking him up! Thanks for the great find, I love when stores come out with Christmas and Holiday items, its so fun!
Hi Rose! Be sure to register your gift card and reload and reuse it if you want to get rewarded by Starbucks! http://www.starbucks.com/card – There are some perks like some syrups free, free milk changes, and eventually you can earn free drinks!
Thank you for stopping by! To be honest I am not sure where you are. If you are in Canada you can get Huxley now, but if in the US you have to wait until the 16th. And if you’re in Canada, scratch what I said about the card reward program – that’s the US program I described above.
Hope to see you back again. The great thing about Starbucks is that there is plenty for the non coffee drinker too.
Melody
I do miss seeing the Starbucks Christmas displays, especially the plushies! I brought the little red Starbucks “Holiday Penguin” I bought about 3 years ago with me to France (he’s going to be a teaching aid).
That little guy is so adorable! I just might have to buy one… And I love the photos! Christmas at Starbucks is the best. But I totally agree about the not-warm-and-cozy-and-festive. I got my first Christmas-themed hot cup the other day and felt the same way. It’s cute, but it’s not—in my humble opinion—their best.
Oooh, cute! I’m pretty sure we’ll end up with all of the mouse-themed items for our son, who is also named Huxley!
Bought the Huxley book to have when kids come to my house. It’s charming and adorable! A delightful little classic in its own right! Well done and wishes for great success!
Just bought myself a Huxley mouse (partner shopping week!) 😀 and a Bearista, but I gave the bear to my friend.
Both are ADORABLE!
I think he’s really cute too! The only thing I don’t like is the travel mug with him at the bottom. It looks like you have something in your drink..:)
I want to get my niece (who has a whole collection of the elaborately DRESSED PAIRED bears of old) to send me pics of them. The difference ia amazing. I am VERY glad we finally did get the little (lone)ly ? bearista bear back but the difference is incredible. and I so so wish they would’ve put the traditional Sbux year on this bear’s foot more visible……or, really visible. THAT (the yr, the Sbux) was a big part of the importance to me…and for those of you who are maybe young(er), I think you will find this to be true as the yrs go by.
Wow this is too weird. I just heard about the Huxley mouse from a friend (that knows I very rarely go to Starbucks) and had to look it up. My four year old son is named Huxley… now I see it being the new baby name. Plus hello – of course he has stories to share (Aldous Huxley)! Oh well. Thanks for the detailed post.
I think Joy Tea is even better as a full leaf tea this year. Anyone else have thoughts on it?
Also, I really like the Christmas Espresso roast. I’m a major fan of regular Espresso Roast as it can really hold its own with milk (and flavors too). I’m not sure the Christmas Espresso roast can do the same, but it really is a great treat. I hope they make this an annual tradition.
Good morning CD! I am starting my day with a cup of Espresso Roast Chistmas Blend brewed from a pour over at home. That is a gerat cup of coffee – I too like that better than the normal Christmas Blend this year.
Hi
Just purchased the express christmas blend today, will be interesting to try it. Finally saw a Huxley mouse at a store near where I work, but no really “must buy” christmas mugs. Tempted to buy the Barista bear, he is so cute but I really don’t NEED stuffed animals. Does anyone know if starbucks has done specific city christmas mugs this year? Also after reading prior comments I will buy some Joy tea, it sounds very special and yummy even though I am most definitely a coffee gal. Thanks melody for such an informative blog.
I LOVE the Huxley theme this year. It’s very cute, and the book and the little mouse are very sweet. Our bearista bears this year are awesome! But I found one at my store that is reading his book upside down! I didn’t want anyone else to take him, so I bought him as soon as I found him and I brought him home. I don’t know how to use code, but here’s a picture of him. His name is Nigel by the way.