The Holiday season in 2015 has its fair share of excitement, festivities, and of course controversy as the bipolar powers that be are engaged in a concept war over the appropriateness of certain coffee cup designs.
Tensions have been brewing since Starbucks began using plain red coffee cups, sparking criticism from Evangelical and conservative Christians who feel the "war on Christmas" is not only a real thing, but one most sinister.
Others, however, are more concerned with the coffee inside the cup, and not the socio-religious implications of a coffee giant's minimalist holiday cup redesign.
Soon after the Starbucks "discussion" began in the public forum (see: the internet), mainstream media outlets picked up the story in an apparent attempt to stoke furor and ratings amongst those easily offended by apparently, nothing.
That's right, there are God-knows how many people upset over something non-mandatory being omitted from the marketing strategy for the single-use coffee container's holiday look.
While many are offended by the over-commercialization of holidays like Christmas, it appears those upset nowadays feel that their holiday isn't being over-commercialized enough.
The news has also drawn sarcasm from many across social media because the outrage is apparently in response to something that didn't happen, rather than something that did happen.
Even Cardinal Timothy Dolan, leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has sent the "OK, relax" message to the world congregation via radio, saying, "I don't think it's like Starbucks had the Christmas crib on their cups to begin with."
So when Dunkin' Donuts released their holiday design featuring the word "Joy," it appeared to be in response to Starbucks' failed(?) marketing campaign.
Though a Dunkin' spokesperson is quoted saying, "For many years Dunkin' Donuts has served coffee in festive cups featuring the word 'joy' as part of our annual celebration of the season and holiday offerings."
So perhaps conservative Christian America is more prone to offense this holiday season in the past. But if someone really needs a Starbucks cup that says "joy" on it, there has always been the option of purchasing the above pictured reusable coffee mug...
Check out I'm Jewish, But I Still Love Christmastime.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]