As the holiday season arrives, coffee shops everywhere embrace the festive spirit with green and red decorations, cheerful cups, and the warm, sugary aroma of the season filling the air. Starbucks and Dunkin’, the reigning champions of grab-and-go coffee, go head-to-head every year, vying for attention with their holiday menus. From classic favorites to bold new creations, both chains know how to make a statement. Whether someone is a die-hard Starbucks fan or a loyal Dunkin’ regular, there is just something special about wrapping your hands around a festive drink as the days grow colder. But what really sets the two apart?
At Dunkin’, the sugar cookie latte tends to steal the show, but employee Hailey wishes more people would give the cookie butter cold brew a chance. “It doesn’t look pretty, so people don’t really try it that much, but it’s really good,” she says.
The holiday rush can get intense. “Like 50 people come in from 8 to 12,” Hailey says but she enjoys the excitement. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new people and making drinks, especially when customers branch out and try seasonal options. “It’s kind of a mix. A lot of people order regular drinks like refreshers and stuff, but they also try new things, which is really fun.”
For Starbucks regular Charlotte Watts, the holiday magic is all about the marketing. “I’ve always associated Starbucks with the holidays. The ad campaigns, like Red Cup Day. It works on me. I know we’re getting close to the holidays when Red Cup Day is being talked about,” sophomore Charlotte Watts says.
During the fall and winter, coffee becomes more of a necessity than a treat with school back in session. “I wouldn’t say it’s just because of the weather,” Watts explains. “I tend to think about coffee more in the early mornings. I would go every day if I could, but on average, I probably go once or twice a week.”
Tom, who works at Starbucks, sees it from the other side of the counter. “The advertising is designed so you really only see the holiday options anymore,” he says, though he wishes the menus showed more of Starbucks’ year-round drinks. Still, seasonal hits like the Caramel Brulé Latte and Peppermint Mocha remain customer favorites, even if lesser-known drinks like the Cranmerry Drink don’t get much attention. “It’s like the Pink Drink but for the cranberry refresher, swapping water or lemonade for coconut milk. Most people don’t try it because of the coconut milk, but it is so good,” Tom explains.
Freshman Andrea Rivero is all about Dunkin’ for her holiday coffee fix. Her go-to is the Cranberry Orange Refresher paired with the Hash Brown Brisket Scramble. “It was tasty and very orangey,” she says about the drink, though she thinks coffee prices should be lower for how small some of the drinks are. While she loves Dunkin’s Cookie Butter Doughnut, Starbucks still holds a special place in her heart. “It’s the ads, and the smell of coffee reminds me of Christmas,” she says, proving that the holiday vibe can sometimes matter more than the menu.
Whether you prefer Starbucks’ iconic mermaid logo or Dunkin’s more casual, budget-friendly approach, both coffee chains know how to deliver holiday cheer in their own way. For workers like Hailey and Tom, the season is about more than just making drinks. It’s about connecting with customers and adding a little joy to the holiday hustle. Some drinks might not look Instagram worthy, and others may get buried in the buzz, but at the end of the day, holiday coffee is all about how it makes you feel. Coffee shops may not be the reason for the season, but there’s no denying that a festive drink can make everything feel just a little brighter.
