Thank you to the Starbucks Coffee Gear Store for sponsoring this great giveaway! The prize is a gift set including a Starbucks umbrella, Three Region small tote, and a Starbucks water bottle. The winner will be drawn at random. If you want to enter in, just leave a comment with your favorite Starbucks Christmas or winter-time holiday memory below – it could be anything Christmas-holiday-seasonal! Maybe it’s the first time you tried the holiday beverages or a Starbucks gift that spoke to you? It does have to relate to Starbucks.
There are a few rules. I will delete all off topic comments! You really do have to tie your comment to the Starbucks holiday season. Please enter with a valid email address so that I can easily reach you, if you are the winner. You must be over age eighteen. The odds of winner depends upon the number of comments below, or one in 150, depending upon the number of valid entries. No more than 150 comments may be posted in this thread. I will lock the thread at 150 comments. You must post your entry before December 31, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Only one entry is allowed per person.
I cringe to say this, but I must: Every time I do a giveaway, I get some entries that don’t follow the rules. The two most common problems are as follows – for some reason, some people will try to send me an email with their entry rather than leaving a comment directly on this blog. You really do have leave a blog comment below. The other thing is simply that some people will try to leave an off-topic comment – I will not approve an off-topic comment.
Best of luck to you! Hope you win the tote, umbrella, and water bottle! Thank you to the Starbucks Coffee Gear Store for sponsoring this!
(Edit: I can tell by the comments in moderation that I’ve managed to confuse a number of people with this giveaway. The comment must be on point, relating to specifically Starbucks and the Christmas season. I probably should have required the words either “Holiday” or “Christmas” in the comment because so many people are leaving comments that could be year-round activities. I think that some people read it as Starbucks or the holiday seasonal memories. It’s “and” and not “or.” And, I won’t approve a comment if I have guess why it fits – a few people have left me comments about holiday things they like to do, without ever mentioning Starbucks. And a few people are leaving Starbucks comments that are Starbucks mugs/cups/drinks that are available year-round. I’m sorry to have created such a confusing giveaway. Contact me if you have questions. Despite the confusion, I’m surprised at the how fast new comments are coming! Thanks! If you don’t see your comment below, try re-writing it again with clarity around “holiday” or “Christmas”. Thanks.)
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My favorite Starbucks Christmas memory happened last year, when the Holiday Bearista plush was dressed as a nutcracker. I danced in numerous productions of “The Nutcracker” growing up, so I knew I had to have him. However, I knew I had to get him early because of “Nutcracker” productions- where I live, all the dance moms snatch up anything nutcracker related to give as gifts to dancers in the show. My birthday is a week before the start of the Christmas season, and for a birthday gift, my boyfriend got me only two things: “The Avengers” on DVD…and the nutcracker Bearista! I think I deafened him by squealing so loudly! Nutcracker Bear sits in a proud place of honor near my tree, guarding it and staying warm.
During school holiday breaks I visited home from college and visits would usually include a trip with my mom to our neighborhood Starbucks. It was a great time for just the two of us to catch up – on small things (Your hair looks different!) to big things (What ever happened to that one guy…). It was a great time to reflect, and soak in the quiet atmosphere of the coffee shop – the smells of ground coffee and pastries, the sounds of the holiday music playing in the background and murmured conversations nearby. This year I was unable to travel home – I relocated with a job about six months ago and moved a few states away. Being the new kid on the block and with limited vacation time, I was unable to make the trip back home for the holidays for the first time. My family stayed in touch – exchanged holiday cards, and video chatted while we opened our small gifts. But it was not the same. Christmas morning I woke up to a text message to check my Starbucks account – my mom had sent a gift card my way. This morning on my way to work I stopped and grabbed a mocha. While in line I thought about all the times I’d been to a Starbucks before, all the conversations with my mom, the smells of the coffee, and the soft background chatter – like extras in a movie. I was suddenly more homesick than I’d been in months – and yet at the same time, I felt more at home. It sounds cliche, but true. This morning, my Starbucks drink made me feel closer to my mom. And that’s pretty wonderful.
Sitting with my daughter at the mall Starbucks, enjoying a drink and snack, while we chat, people watch, and rest our weary feet from Christmas shopping.
To me, it’s not the holidays without Starbucks’ eggnog lattes. I never get sick of them, and almost wished they had them year-round. I always find an excuse to get one, whether I’m out shopping, going to work, or running errands. Carrying one of those warm red cups certainly beats wearing gloves.
I remember my first sugar free gingerbread latte and how amazing it tasted. Being a type 1 diabetic I love that Starbucks has sugar free choices. Alas SF gingerbread is no longer available but thank god for SF peppermint!!! Thanks for a sweet holiday.
favorite holiday memory… ok, i LOVE working on christmas day! in many cases, starbucks is the only thing open on christmas, so to make someones day by being open and able to make their favorite drink is really special to me 🙂
but really everything about starbucks holiday season really makes my heart smile 🙂 i love the red cups, the return of holiday favorites (even eggnog) and the return of bearistas 🙂
My favorite Starbucks Holiday memory was going to Starbucks in November this year. I was so bummed when Thanksgiving blend sold out. But one day when I went to the store the Christmas blend was in full force AND the Thanksgiving blend had made a comeback! I bought some of each and am still enjoying my Holiday coffee today.
It doesn’t feel like the holidays until I get my first red cup of the season! I always get my absolute fav to start off the season right which is the peppermint mocha. It always brightens my day and starts the holiday season off right. I’ve got new traditions to start this year too. I know I’m late to the game but I started collecting the ornaments (including the you are here hawaii edition) and I’ve discovered the Christmas blend coffee which is becoming my new fav.
Sbux gives me a warm and cozy Christmas feeling ever since I had my first pumpkin spiced latte. When I see a SBUX at Christmas I feel very Christmasy. I associate the holiday season with SBUX. When the first. Holiday Christmas drinks come out the season begins for me. It represents warmth, cheer, good will.
And just such a happy place to be. I’ll get an eggnog latte and they taste so good at this time of year. The decorations are always so pretty and get you in the holiday spirit. I love SBUX at chrisas.
My family always stops at Starbucks for hot chocolate for the kids and peppermint mochas for the grown-ups to have for when they turn the lights on downtown and light the big Christmas tree. It’s become the traditional way to start the season!
This year I got the pleasure of visiting two starbucks in Christmas day, both were so sweet and very accomodating in helping me. They really shared the Christmas spirit all the way from Seattle to Chicago! Starbucks employees are the best and leave lasting memories!
Creme brulee is one of my favorite desserts. So I would have to say that one of my best holiday Starbucks memories would be that first time I tasted the caramel brulee frappuccino.
My best friend Vickie and I used to go on coffee dates every week, until we both moved away. Some of our best memories together were at Starbucks, and it’s quite sad (or happy!) how many pictures of us together on Facebook show us in the corner chairs, enjoying each other’s company. Even though we live hours apart now, we still buy each other the red Christmas cup ornaments every year, complete with our misspelled names (which have become increasingly ridiculous over the years, such as Vickieiicieyieyiey and Jessieieyyeie) and SKVL markings with modifiers. Even though we now live hours apart, our irreplaceable memories remain in the form of little hollow ceramic cups with ribbons tied to them.
Meeting friends for cranberry bliss bars and gingerbread latte at the downtown starbucks when we return home for the holidays and catching up
During the holiday vacation from school, my daughter and I have been cozying up at our local Starbucks while she reads me a chapter a night from the book she was assigned to read over the break. These moments have been a wonderful quiet interlude in our normally hectic lives. I will be sorry when she finishes the book, but will always remember these special evenings that we spent together during this holiday season at Starbucks.
My favourite Starbucks holiday memory has to be the appearance of the red cups at the coffee bar and the knowledge I can finally order eggnog and gingerbread lattes. It doesn’t feel like the holidays before this happens!
I really like stopping in at Starbucks for a gingerbread latte after spending the afternoon Christmas shopping. It’s nice to sit down for a bit to give my legs a rest and get recaffinated before heading home to wrap gifts.
My favorite part about Starbucks during the holiday time is the cranberry bliss bar. Even though this isn’t an actual drink and I do love their peppermint mints, I truly think the cranberry bliss bars are the best. Least I can keep up this Christmas tradition at Starbucks in Miami after moving down here from Seattle.
Starbucks is always helpful for a little pick me up when I have been shopping all day for Christmas gifts for my loved ones. Hot Coco with whip gets me going again…..
sorry for two comments left out part in above comment
Two years ago, a local grocery store a
had holiday open house. They had Christmas music, food displays, tons of ideas to throw a holiday party of your own and free samples. I attended because I am always looking for ways to improve what I serve at holiday gatherings or to find that new cool item. Anyhow, they also had an in-house Starbucks. I purchased my first hot chocolate with whipped cream that day and it was perfect! I have been hooked every since.
I went Christmas shopping with a friend of mine, a couple years back, as she was undergoing breast cancer treatment and I wanted to help out where I could. She tired easily. We stopped at a grocery store and she indicated she needed to sit for a bit. I suggested that we stop and get something to drink from Starbucks. Starbucks had a quiet place to sit inside the very busy store. There was even a fireplace. Neither of us had ever been at a Starbucks so we studied what was available. All I wanted was a cup of coffee, thinking to myself, this Starbucks is so complicated. So many choices. Well, I got my coffee and it was one of the best cups of coffee i had ever had! I also have a special memory of the time I spent with my friend.
Every Christmas my sisters and I go shopping together and some of my best memories are when we sit in Starbucks together talking, laughing and planning our shopping day.
Enjoying the exclusive Pike Place 18 ounce Holiday Mug with something long, tall, and upside down. Americano with whipped cream and Christmas-only chocolate curls. Tipping $20 cash, because of all the times I couldn’t tip with my registered card.
As a Starbucks partner, my favorite part about the holidays is the overnight setup that we do. It’s a great time to bond with the team while getting into the holiday spirit, and it’s so fun have customers come in and marvel at the decorations and displays the next day. Also, my store sponsors a local animal shelter called Stray Rescue, and I love when they bring in the treatment with all of the pictures of dogs and cats – our customers love bringing in presents for the animals. Starbucks does so well at exemplifying the season of joy and giving each year with their themes. Let’s be honest, I love everything about Starbucks holidays!
My favorite Holiday memory relating to Starbucks and Christmas time, and their seasonal drinks happened a few weeks ago. My husband and I were spending time Christmas shopping with our twins, and we stopped at the Starbucks store. We tried the Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino! It was DELICIOUS! I also enjoyed spending time with my family.!
Thanks for the giveaway!! We LOVE Starbucks!!
We Love Starbucks during the Christmas Season! My kids starting getting hot chocolate (with extra whip!) when they were small, and now as teenagers they have “graduated” to everything on the menu! My fave is the Starbucks Christmas Blend (Super delicious this year!) and Pumpkin Spice Lattes of course! My teens LOVE the Mochas, and Caramel Macchiatos and Gingerbread Lattes and etc.!!! We went to Minnesota for Christmas and managed to stop into Starbucks 8 times in only a few days. And gave coffee as gifts – a huge favorite! We love Starbucks all year — but Holiday Time is Extra Special at Starbucks! xoxo
My favorite Starbucks holiday memory was the first holiday I moved back to Fresno in 1998. Starbucks was fairly new to the area, and it was our store’s first holiday open. As the store manager, I wanted to work the closing shift on Christmas Eve, and sure enough, we were busy right up until we locked the doors. We finished cleaning up the store and left to walk out to our cars – and it was snowing! Snow is about a once every 15 year occurrence in this area, so it was a fitting end to our pre-holiday work, and a great reason to head home to friends and family for Christmas Day.
My daughter has a disability and a cast of thousands – therapists and teachers and so on. Every holiday season (some of her therapists celebrate Hanukkah – as do we – while others celebrate Christmas), I go out and buy Starbucks gift cards for everyone. I try to create an entire gift around them – last year I put them in travel mugs with Lifesavers candy and a note saying “Thanks a latte! You’re a lifesaver!” This year I etched glass jars with each person’s initial, tied on a Cuppow, and put the gift card inside. I like that each person can buy him or herself a special treat – coffee, tea, a piece of cake, or even another mug – with the gift. (And I hope I did this right! 🙂 Happy new year!)
I love visiting Starbucks for a holiday beverage (current fave: peppermint mocha) with family and friends. It’s a nice excuse to get out of the house for a while, especially when having visitors over several days or when family and friends are passing through the area. Whether others join me for my favorite drink or one of their own, Starbucks always has a variety of delicious treats so everyone can find something they like and a nice, comfortable place to enjoy them.
My fav Starbucks Christmas moment is the arrival of the red cup and peppermint mocha. The red cup kicks off the holiday spirit and the peppermint mocha is DELISH and a great afternoon pick-me-up! Plus Starbucks holiday gift cards and gift sets are the best stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, thank you gifts etc.
Christmas Vacation is when we have time to do all of the special things we can’t do while school is in section. We actually have time to spend a leasurely day sledding, followed by Hot Chocolate at Starbucks. Cooled to the perfect temp for kids, we have just had the perfect Christmas.
There is nothing better than heading out in the snow to my local Starbucks with my fancy new holiday red tumbler and getting an eggnog latte, sitting with friends and family. Delicious! Merry Christmas! Thanks for the contest! Good luck to all and to all a good night! Happy New Year!
This season was full of wonder and excitement at Starbucks. My favorite moment was when I first tried the Christmas blonde roast and paired it with a cranberry bliss bar. The first sip was flavorful, a nice pleasant citrus aroma and medium body were all there to prepare you for the most intense bite of cranberry bliss! I can not put into words how long I’ve waited for this moment. My first bite with an amazing coffee to bring out this surprising orange zest was Such a great pair to bring out this holiday spirit and end it with a twist. Thank you sbux!
Sorry if I post twice. My first entry didn’t go through! My favourite holiday Starbucks times are taking my fancy red christmas tumbler down to my local Starbucks and having am eggnog latte with friends and family! Thanks for the contest! Happy new year!!!
One of my favorite memories was the old style Starbucks Gingerbread lattes (before they put the ginger pieces in there and changed the syrup recipe), I would get one and walk down some of the main street locations near me and just watch the Christmas lights and the people when it was freezing outside. 2nd fav drink is to get is a Starbucks white peppermint mocha since peppermint reminds me so much of the holiday season (granted it’s probably not holiday centric but I can’t do the mocha as I’m allergic). Great contest from Starbucks, and wonderful opportunity.
Well there was the time the first year they did the January free coffee tumbler that I woke up at 5 AM just to get it, since I was expecting heavy demand. But overall I like the eggnog latte since it only comes once a year. It is bad for you but such a treat.
My kids and I enjoy going to starbucks during the holiday/Christmas season and catching up over a cup of hot chocolate. hHey are 12, 15, 2 and 7 months. Lately it has been me and the older girls so I can understand what is going on in their life.
My most precious Starbucks Christmas memory is when Starbucks first opened a Store in my home country at the end of the year a couple of years ago. I had to rely on the red cup feeling once every couple of years when I was lucky enough to be abroad during the holiday season and enjoy the wonderful feeling the red cups give me (and a lot of people around me). Now, at the end of October, beginning of November, I can bike to my local Starbucks to check if the time of year is already there. It’s one of the most wonderful surprises of the season when it is red cup time and it never gets less exciting!
every year at christmas time my husband always buys me a new starbucks christmas mug and buys a pound of the new holiday coffee
I am entering this as I drink my last Starbucks coffee for the year. I am ready for the new year and I thought I would bring it in with a bang. I am addicted to Starbucks and I die in the winter months when they get their Eggnog flavoring in. It is my favorite seasonal flavor. I love meeting up with my friends and hanging out at Starbucks to stay in from the cold while people are in town for the Christmas Holiday. For me it really helps bring me and my friends together!
[Good luck to the entrants.]
My favorite Starbucks Christmas memories are anticipating and finally getting a holiday beverage in the first red cup. 🙂 This season, my favorite is the eggnog latte. I don’t have a singular favorite memory over the years.
How about you, Melody? Happy New Year, and many thanks!! All the best in 2014!
Entrants:
1. Purple1
2. Emily M.
3. Winnie
4. Scott Tims
5. Amanda P.
6. Jeff from costa Mesa
7. Jose Chavez
8. shuston smith
9. Cecille
10. Stephanie
11. Curtis
12. Brandi Pattee
13. Melissa Libertad
14. Alejandra Gomez
15. Andy P.
16. Lori Parker
17. Steve Brown
18. Shayne
19. Claire
20. Hayley
21. Molly
22. William Meyers
23 Earl
24. Colia
25.PiaL.
26. Odessa
27. GeeWhy
28. MelissaF
29. Amanda P.
30. Kiara
31. Kris Anderson
32. Gary
33. JD Northwest
34. Judy
35. Elaine
36. Katie
37. Mary Mougeot
38. Nathan
39. Luke Jones
40. Ginger G.
41. Soon
42. Rita A.
43. Benji Kenworthy
44. Sharon Lovoy
45. Brian Chow
46. Matt K.
47. Devin
48. Alexa
49. Kira
50. Evan
51. Rita s.
52. Carl
53. Karlton Uhm
54. Karen
55. Erin
56. Mackenzie Clapp
57. Kaina Magalong
58. Hannah Hansen
59. Lisa L.
60. Philip Huang
61. Grace
62. Jakub H.
63. Neil Harris
64. Brittany
65. Judy Ashley
66. Steph
67. Rebecca
68. Gail Wight
69. Maria
70. LB
71. Sheila
72. Scott
73. Guusje Moore
74. Matt Mayovsky
75. Kit
76. Cyn
77. Misty Knight
78. Pam Moga
79. Craig
80. Noelle Viola
81. Rachel Weech
82. Aaron Burdick
83. Melissa E.
84. Donaji Villegas
85. Denise R.
86. Teri
87. Diann Pryor
88. Bernard Lin
89. Kristine
90. Alix
91. Melissa Williams
92. Joy
93. Laci
94. Candias Chalker
95. Andrea
96. Beth
97. Eric
98. Ryan Schroer
99. Amy delfin
100. Phoenix
101. Rachel
102. Samantha
103. Donna
104. AC
105. Kreg Sterns
106. Jocelyn
107. DragynAlly
108. Audrey K.
109. Mary Kinder
110. Sarah
111. Kylea
112. Mahoro
113. Jesse G.
114. Tricia
115. IzzyJ
116. Jackie H.
117. Leslie H.
118. Lindsay Ackerman
119. Kathy D.
120. Tricia Jorke
121. Van Menuey
122. Amy Hodges
123. Sir Sasana
124. Jen Long
125. Desiree H.
126. Shelly M.
127. Chris w.
128. Marla
129. MerrynCole
130. Katie J.
131. Kelly Kriefall
132. Charlie
133. Sandra Arriaga
134. Charlie Bar
135. BunnyM.
136. Calwatch
137. Connie Tillman
138. Sidney
139. Sydney
140. Ashley Pomykala
141. The Kwan
Hi Melody,
I waited ’til after the deadline… please remove my name. 🙂
@thekwan – you are right. Will do.
And the winner is… Hannah Hansen!