The Christmas decorations are going up at my neighborhood Starbucks, and...

....that had me wondering why I wasn't hearing holiday music in the store. I asked the barista who was putting up the seasonal display (at left) about the music start-date. "It's supposed to be on now," she said, "but we couldn't get it to work. So ASAP." || One of my favorite posts (and comments about it) was from November 9, 2004, titled "For the love of God, Starbucks, knock off the Christmas music!" You can read it here. The 15th of November, I guess, is an acceptable Christmas music start date.

Comments

[Sheik]

I absolutely can't stand people complaining about:

A) Christmas music being on too early
B) Christmas music being on after Christmas.
C) Christmas music in general.

SO WHAT!! GET over it. You don't like it, suck it up. It's the holidays -- get into a positive spirit. We are in an economic downfall and spirits are at an all time low. Why use the opportunity to do what Complaining Customer #1 and Complaining Customer #2 and join in and complain about the music?

*shrugs* Just don't get it. You only have one life. Why spend it being a bah-humbug?

[Double Blended]

The music doesn't work until tomorrow, I believe, because the holiday set is supposed to occur tonight after hours. And now you know where I'll be at midnight tonight.

At least there's no glitter!

[james]

At the starbucks I visit here (in houston) they've been playing almost continuous christmas music for the past 4 days.

[Hipsterdufus]

The official holiday launch is tomorrow, thats why.

[spence]

We are set up. 5 people. 5 hours. It's sooooooooooo pretty.

[hearbutloud]

I, for one, am very excited to go in tomorrow. Hoping for snow, too!

[spence]

I just popped on to TMZ.com and they have a Starbucks Christmas video / ad on the bottom left. It's nice.

[EthBarista]

Just finished my store's holiday set-up. No snow, but we do have holiday balls and pines. Very simple set-up. Managed to put out all our holiday merch even though our DM took away our last remaining etegere!! Anyway, there's no walking into a glitter wonderland this year! And the holiday music should come in tomorrow. Red aprons are in, so are the holiday desserts. I'm actually impressed with the serveware this year, of the little we have of course... Oh and the window decals spouting out random holiday cheer will surely put a smile on your faces ;)

[datedotit]

The "tree" and trim are so cheap looking...kinda embarrassing really.

[The Man Behind the Curtain]

Back in the day... we would come in at midnight and spend 5 hours setting up the Christmas decorations. Customers would come in the next day, filled with wonder at the transformation, Christmas music would be playing lightly; it was like Santa himself had arrived in the night. (of course it was November 4th however).

Now with all the cuts we have to do the set the day before the official launch, in front of customers... again, the magic is gone from Starbucks. Enjoy your Caramel Brule everyone.

[_-_]

@Posted by: The Man Behind the Curtain

Just as some said, "SO WHAT. GET over it!!!"

No customer cares about Starbucks manufactured Christmas look and anyone with half a brain can figure out how it was put together. There was no "magic."

Now stop trying to make yourself feel better about working at Starbucks.

[Justin]

By the way, I care about how Starbucks is decorated for Christmas. It is nice and part of the overall Holiday season for me. So _-_ get over yourself.

Looking forward to seeing how everything looks later today :)

I agree with the idea of setting up over night being a nicer experience for customers overall but times are tough I guess.. and why would you come onto this website _-_ to berate Starbucks workers?

[Presto!]

So what? Get over it? These are my holidays too, and I can have them how I want. Which is christmas music in december. Christmas decorations in december.

The saddest part about this website isn't the difference in opinion's (as some would have you believe), it's an ideology that seems almost ripped from a Starbucks. If you don't like it, too bad, and it's our way or the highway. I barely come here anymore, not because of people ragging on Starbucks, but because of people trying to silence the minority.

Anyway, I work in a Solo tier store, so our decorations aren't anything amazing. They never really are. The thing that sticks out the most are the inserts for the RTDE and the pastry case.

[brianh]

a kwanzaa card? really?!?!?! i did not see a hannukah card. why not deal with real holidays before the fake/made up ones.

[Justin]

Maybe I will get a Kwanzaa card and use it all year round even though I am white just for fun :)

[Coffee Soldier]

I'm very surprised not yet to find a thread "bashing" on Starbucks new Bean Stock program even though it will now vest in 3 years for partners and MLK Day now is a holiday paid....this is very good news so far for the Year of the Partner!

[Broncos07]

Yep Starbucks Xmas decorations went up today and so did the drink prices. grrrr

[asbuxcustomer]

I love that the Starbucks employees enjoy the Christmas decorations and music. It's nice, as a customer, to know that.

[anon-girl]

The music isn't working at our store either, and obviously we've opened and launched. Weird.

[mornbecomes]

kwanza and hanukkah cards are in select markets only.

[Free Refill]

It's my understanding that the music doesn't start until the day after Thanksgiving...like always.

[Coffee Soldier]

I don't recall ever hearing the Xmas music until the day after Thanksgiving as well...

What does everyone think of Xmas Blend Via?

[spence]

Christmas Blend Via is by far the best instant coffee I've ever had.

[Jazz]

IMO I love Christmas music and I hate how the radios and stores stop playing it the day after Christmas. I try to have Christmas spirit as long as I can in a year and Christmas music keeps it longer for me. I already started playing Christmas music on my MP3 player and I plan to play it until February. It's not just music for me, it's a mind set. And now I sound like a crazy Guru....

What I hate about Christmas - the merchandising! Not the decorations or the music though!
And I don’t care how Starbucks does it I’m just glad they do decorate and play music.

[cali]

im an SM who just got my bonus. was a really good quarter. i spent half my shifts in the back while the baristas picked up my slack. nothing like being @ the top. Oh and i only work 9-5, mon-fri and i dont wear dress code. suckas. i think my bonus for the year adds up to what each barista makes in the whole year.

thanks howie, see you soon.

[poorb]

I loath you cali.

[custy1]

OMG i heart sbux xmas. omg bt.

[iheartsbux]

Here is the problem. Many people don't always consider alternative perspectives from their own, and neglect to think more globally.
I understand where people are coming from and everyone is entitled to their opinions, however... I'm tired of the negativity. I do NOT feel that 6 weeks before Christmas, and a mere 2 weeks before Hanuka, is too early for the HOLIDAY store set up. Not all of the music is specifically "Christmas." Some of it is regular music, some of it is seasonal music.

As a partner, I enjoy the Holiday season. I enjoy making my customers smile when I hand them their perfectly crafted peppermint mocha, and seeing the smile on their face when they take the first sip. I enjoy telling them about Christmas Blend Espresso Roast (because it is so amazing,) and I enjoy keeping my store looking festive and feeling warm year round... (NOT JUST CHRISTMAS)

So please cranky-pants whiners, stop complaining that its TOO early. Stop berating passionate people for enjoying their jobs and taking pride in what they do just because you are miserable...
The Holidays are not far away, and many people celebrate on Thanksgiving because they don't have any other chance to see their family during the year!!
Quit your complaining. The internet is powerful, and all you are doing is spreading negativity!

Thank you! :)

[xwhipGBL]

Blahblah It's too early for Christmas whinewhine I hate pretty things that make people happy blahblah blahblahblah. Just rent a hotel room for 2 months and drink yourself into oblivion then. If you're this negative during the nicest time of year you probably suck extra hard when it's NOT Christmas. No one will miss you. Joyeux Noel sucker.

[Coffe Luva]

@Sheik:

I absolutely can't stand Christmans music. It's banal, sentimental, goo, as far as I'm concerned. And you hear the same vapid 15 songs over and over and over, EVERYWHERE you go. Please, enjoy the holidays in your home, with your friends and family. Why should everyone have to put up with this garbage just becaues some people like you need it? Sad to see Starbucks foist this regergitant on us.

Oh well, it too shall pass... (the sooner the better)

[Lynne Mantz]

I would love to be able to buy the snowflake window decorations, they are a perfect window decoration, is there any way I could purchase them and who would I contact for this. thanks, we are starbucks junkies, theres a group of us that meet at least 4 xs a week for coffee and chatter