Starbucks' New Minimalist Holiday Cups Spark Controversy

DENVER (CBS4) - Starbucks' red cup signals to millions of coffee drinkers that Christmas is on its way. The company unveiled its red holiday cup this year with a new, simpler design, and some aren't so happy about it.

The plain red cups lack wintry themed decorations such as snowmen, ornaments, and evergreen trees. Some are upset the cups lack holiday symbols, but Starbucks says their new cup is inclusive.

On social media, critics made known their disappointment, and evangelical groups accused the company of a "war on Christmas."

A former pastor posted a video to Facebook of his Starbucks red cup with the words "Merry Christmas" written on it. He says he tricked Starbucks into putting Merry Christmas on the cup by saying that was his name.

CBS This Morning received a statement from Starbucks that said, "Our core values as a company is to create a culture of belonging, inclusion and diversity." It went on to state, "We will continue to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world."