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It's already November, and you know what that means — the Christmas-themed advertising campaigns are back. Or, as some Christmas purists see it, the "War on Christmas" is back. 

Read More: Jack-o'-lanterns to jingle bells: Why I'm waiting to celebrate Christmas

Last Sunday, Starbucks continued its winter tradition of serving drinks in its famous red holiday cups. As both a frequenter of Starbucks and someone who enjoys Christmas immensely, I was happy about the transition to the annual colored cups. That’s why I was shocked to learn that many self-appointed guardians of Christmas think the redesigned cups are some kind of a (and I'm not kidding here) "anti-Christmas symbol."

So why do these people think Starbucks is "running away from Christianity?" Since 1997, Starbucks’ holiday cups have featured winter-inspired art over a red background. But this year, Starbucks decided to eliminate the cartoon snowmen and ice skaters in favor of a simple red cup adorned by the green and white Starbucks logo. Supposedly, that means the company "hates Christians," even though it’s pretty much impossible for anything to be red, green and white without evoking thoughts of Christmas. That’s why I’m not quite sure why these Christmas Warriors think this kind of manufactured outrage is necessary.

Given the fact that there weren't any snowflakes or sled dogs in Herodian Judea, I think it’s safe to say that Starbucks didn't remove any "Christian" symbols. I think most of the people who are upset about the reindeer-free cups are more concerned about how globalization is causing the images and phrases they grew up associating with Christmas to become less synonymous with the holiday season.

The truth is that Starbucks has grown a lot since it first introduced its Christmas cups. According to a Starbucks press release, "In the nearly two decades since the first red Starbucks cup, the company has grown from 1,400 stores in a handful of countries to more than 22,000 stores in 68 markets around the world."  

When a business serves such a large number of people, it needs to recognize that not all of its customers celebrate Christmas, or even celebrate Christmas in the same way. For example, I grew up in Arizona. For me, Christmas involved playing football with the neighbors and riding my bike down big gravelly hills. Drinking my coffee from a cup with a drawing of a snowman on it simply wouldn't induce the same kind of nostalgia in me that it would in those who feel Starbucks is trying to steal Christmas from them.  

Truthfully, I think there are older versions of the red cup that were better. There have been variations that were much more artistic and aesthetically pleasing. I understand where Starbucks is coming from when the company says it wants a design that "welcomes all of our stories," but I, personally, think this year's cups are boring and not creative enough.  But there's a difference between boring and offensive. Calling it an attack on Christianity is taking it too far.     

Related Links:

What is the War on Christmas?

Religious freedom is what I'm getting for Christmas


Reach the columnist at cmfitzpa@asu.edu or follow @CodyFitzStories on Twitter.

Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.

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