Long Line Alert: Hudson Valley Starbucks Now Offering Exclusive Items

Is it technically the most wonderful time of the year already?

Actually it's just 2 days after Halloween, but as we all know, there are very little signs of fall or pumpkin decor anymore in our local stores, and it's all systems go for Christmas, or as they say at Starbucks, 'the season of joy.'

Hudson Valley Starbucks Launch 2023 Holiday Cups, November 2

It wouldn't be a true Hudson Valley holiday season if the usual lines wrapped around our local Starbucks locations weren't significantly longer, signaling that the oh so popular signature holiday cup designs have hit stores.

If you need some inspiration on how to get in the holiday spirit, check out these suggestions for NY towns that will do just that:

Last year, Starbucks celebrated 25 years of holiday cup designs, and had their official release on November 3rd, so lucky for you, this year you're able to try and snag one of these festive designs a day earlier, November 2nd.

There are five holiday cups for 2023, designed by Bridget Shilling. Party Plaid, Peppermint Swirl, Ribbon Spool (my current frontrunner), Bauble Wrap, and Frosted Bauble, the signature holiday cold cup for 2023. If you're really invested in these cups and designs, like many are, you can check out this site to read more about Bridget's inspiration for this years designs and also get a sneak peek of what they look like.

Kristy Cameron, the Creative Director at Starbucks shares that the theme for this year's holidays is 'Share the Joy.'

Starbucks red cups are like little wrapped gifts for our partners and customers. My hope is that they feel excitement and joy when they see the cups, and that they want to share them with family and friends. Each cup features a gift tag to write notes or share a seasonal sentiment.

More Than Cups, Starbucks Releases 2023 Holiday Menu

If the festive red cups aren't your thing and your focus is on the food and drinks, well lucky for you November 2nd is the day for that as well.

On the food side of the house, my personal pick, the Peppermint Brownie cake pops are BACK, as well as Sugar Plum Cheese Danishes, the Gingerbread Loaf, and the Cranberry Bliss Bar. Full descriptions on those are here.

Fan favorites like Peppermint Mocha, Chestnut Praline and Iced Sugar Cookie Cookie Almodmilk Latte are back, as well as the newcomer on the block, er, menus, Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai.

Do you have a particular holiday food or drink from Starbucks that you look forward to all year, or do you try to collect all of their cup designs each season?