Today is my favorite day of the year at Starbucks.

It's the day when Starbucks stores across the country tuck away their white to-go cups and exchange them for the familiar Red Holiday Cup.

I love this day.

Red Starbucks Holiday Cups signify the beginning of the holiday season.  For me, the red cups means warmth and magic.  They mean Peppermint Mochas; joining friends for coffee on a day off; taking a quiet coffee break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping; and sipping a cup of Starbucks coffee while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Red cups mean cold air and warm coffee; stuffing stockings with Starbucks gift cards; classic Christmas carols piped through the store; and the unveiling of new holiday decorations.  Starbucks holiday cups means buying extra bags of the Christmas blend to serve party guests who visit our home.

Yes, for me, that Red Starbucks coffee cup is filled to the brim with all sorts of comfort - the comfort of holiday rituals.

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeech...

It seems not everyone feels the same way.

Yesterday I attended a training session and - when asked - decided to give some women a preview of today's blog topic.  To a person, all three women looked at me as though I were crazy.  To them the cup meant impending doom.  Red holiday cups meant stress.  They were an un-welcomed reminder of long to-do lists and being short on time and money. To my colleagues, Red Starbucks cards meant nothing less than, DANGER, the holidays are coming!

How about you?  Visit us the Community Forum labeled Today's Post and tell us what the Red Holiday Starbucks Cup means to you.  Include your contact information - either in the Comment Section or by sending us an email at shine@houseofshine.com.  You could be entered in our drawing for a $20.00 gift card to Starbucks.  That way you and your friends can enjoy a cup of coffee in Red Cups.

Shining off until tomorrow...