# Subtle Valentine's Day Cups Starbucks Boasts an Ultra-minimal Design for This Romantic Holiday By Kalin Ned | Published 2019-01-24 | Special Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentines-day-cups References: [designtaxi](https://designtaxi.com/news/403240/Starbucks-Subtly-But-Adorably-Tweaks-Its-Cup-Designs-For-Valentine-s-Day/) & [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BsoxJk_nrq2/?utm_source=DesignTAXI&utm_medium=DesignTAXI&utm_term=DesignTAXI&utm_content=DesignTAXI&utm_campaign=DesignTAXI) Prior to February 14th, cafe chains and other take-out establishments switch out their usual vessel designs for heartwarming Valentine's Day cups and utensils. It has become a tradition that many await, a hint that the holiday is near. Usually, the approach to the festive cups is overbearing, attention-captivating and delightful. However, [Starbucks Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cacao-strawberry-mousse-frappuccino) had a different idea in mind. For its 2019 Valentine's Day cups, the global cafe chain opted in for a subtle design that is not immediately obvious but surely delights consumers upon discovery. Playing on the element of surprise, the romance-celebrating cups have swapped out the uniform and unimaginative rectangular checkboxes for heart-shaped ones. The Valentine's Day cups will be available at select Starbucks location in Japan and the special design will run until the 14th of February. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Special](https://www.trendhunter.com/special) > [Holiday](https://www.trendhunter.com/holiday) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Minimalistic Holiday Designs:** Businesses can experiment with subtle, unique holiday designs that surprise and delight consumers. - **Surprise and Delight Marketing:** Using marketing tactics that surprise and delight consumers can attract and retain customers. - **Cultural Celebratory Designs:** Creating designs unique to cultural celebrations can generate brand interest and recognition. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage Industry:** Cafes and restaurants can attract customers by offering unique and aesthetically pleasing holiday designs for cups and utensils that align with their brand image. - **Retail Industry:** Retail stores can use unique and subtle holiday designs in their packaging or signage to create a festive mood and generate interest in their products or services. - **Marketing and Advertising Industry:** Marketing agencies can explore surprise and delight tactics that focus on creating unique, memorable and culturally relevant holiday designs to elevate their clients' brands. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Romantic Cafe Accessories Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-valentines-day.md) - [Romantic Indulgence Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-valentines-day-drinks.md) - [Valentine’s Day-Themed Drinkware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentines-day-drinkware.md) - [Valentine's Cafe Merch Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-valentines-day-merch.md) - [Dessert-Themed Valentine's Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-valentines-day-drinks.md) - [Sensorial Valentine's Frappuccinos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cacao-strawberry-mousse-frappuccino.md) - [Subtly Seasonal Cafe Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-reserve-roastery-tokyo-christmas.md) - [Chocolate Valentine's Coffees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-coffee-japan-1.md) - [Vibrant Valentine's Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rouge-opera-frappuccino.md)