It’s that Starbucks time of the year! Christmas is here with holiday coffee, food, beverages, merchandise, cards and more!

This pandemic has really dampened a lot of spirits. I’m happy that Starbucks has not strayed from its tradition of introducing its Christmas collection. This is Part 1 of the Starbucks’ Christmas collection featuring their Christmas beverages, food, coffee blends, merchandise, and cards. An upcoming Part 2 will feature the Starbucks planners and organizers as well as the Starbucks 2020 Red Cup Card. All items are available beginning November 3, 2020 to January 4, 2021).

CHRISTMAS BEVERAGES

One new beverage is being introduced while welcoming two returning favorites. All three beverages are available in 3 variants: hot, iced, and blended.

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Sneak Peek of the Starbucks 2016 Planners and Starbucks Cards

It’s that time of the year again when Starbucks collectors await the Christmas collection. So I won’t delay any further and give you a sneak peek of the 2016 Starbucks Planner, Starbucks Cards (yes, there are more this year than ever before!), and Starbucks tumblers.

The first thing you need to know even before seeing the planners is that this is the first year that Starbucks is actually tying up with partners on the planners, cards and tumblers. Unlike previous years when Starbucks collectibles were exclusively Starbucks, this time the loved brand pairs up with exciting brands to make the collectibles even more, well, collectible!

The 2016 Starbucks Planners

For the first time in the history of Starbucks planners, Starbucks pairs up with Moleskine to bring the Moleskine look to all four of their planners. Moleskine is the heir and successor to legendary notebooks used by artists and thinkers like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin. The well-known Moleskine design is brought to Starbucks planners in a straightforward manner with lots of space for notes.

The paper is acid-free. That means it can last for decades without turning yellow with age. At the same time, each planner allows you to contribute to the advocacies of non-profit organizations such as Teach For the Philippines (TFP) and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

For Moleskine fans, this is definitely something exciting to look forward to and it is coming November 2, 2015.

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The 2015 Starbucks planners, Christmas Starbucks cards and Christmas merchandise are here!

It’s that time of the year again when Starbucks goes all out for the Christmas season and the new year!!! (Note: This will be a looooong post with lots of Starbucks goodness inside.)

The much awaited 2015 Starbucks Planners

It’s here!!! I know you are all waiting with bated breath to find out what the 2015 Starbucks planners look like. This is the 12th edition of the planners since it began. You’re getting first dibs before it comes out next week. Take your first glimpse!

Presenting the 2015 Starbucks planners with matching Starbucks double-sided pens!

Each planner is wrapped in a water-resistant apron cloth cover (green, black, red and brown). Just imagine that each planner cover has the exact same apron cloth that Starbucks baristas actually use. The planner also comes with a name tag bookmark, a coffee pin bookmark and a chalk pen with highlighter. One end of the pen has a chalk nib so you can write your name on the name tag bookmark to personalize it. The other end is a thick highlighter nib which smells like coffee. Really nice touch!

My favorite of the 4 – an embroidered version of the Starbucks siren

World Map of the Coffee Belt

A page spread for memories, complete with stickers

Monthly summary page

15 coupons to make you enjoy even more Starbucks goodness

How to get your 2015 Starbucks planner:

1. Get your Starbucks Christmas Traditions promo card from Nov. 3, 2014 to Jan. 8, 2015.
2. 18 stickers (9 Christmas beverages, 9 core handcrafted beverages) are needed to redeem one 2015 Starbucks planner.
3. A shortcut way to redeem it without filling up the promo card with stickers is through a single-purchase receipt worth PhP 7,000 of Starbucks merchandise, whole beans or VIA latte. (Note: This is a change from last year. Starting this year, you can’t get the planner via bulk purchases of gift certificates or Starbucks card load/reload.)
4. Redemption of the 2015 Starbucks planner is from Nov. 3, 2014 to March 8, 2015 at Starbucks stores within the Philippines only.

The first Starbucks Mini Card and 2 Christmas Starbucks cards

The Starbucks Mini Card (center) beside the two 2014 Starbucks cards



A first in the Philippines is a Starbucks mini card that has all the features of the regular-sized cards. This is a true collectible because only a limited number of such cards are going to be available. It comes with a tiny strap allowing many ways of carrying it, including as a mobile phone hanging decor. The mini card is available at a slightly higher consumable load of PhP 500 because of limited supply and the expected demand for it as a collectible. I’m sure this isn’t a problem for regular Starbucks lovers.

Available at an initial consumable load of PhP 500

The two regular-sized Christmas Starbucks cards feature a holiday tree and a snowman. These are similar to last year’s Christmas themed Starbucks card but redrawn in a different way.

The two Christmas 2014 Starbucks cards, available at initial consumable load of PhP 300

Starbucks Card Activation Promo (Nov. 3-5, 2014)

Here are the mechanics from Starbucks:

1. NOTE: This promo runs only from November 3 to 5, 2014 in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines.

2. Customers who activate a new Starbucks Card within this promo period with at least PhP 1,500 gets an additional PhP 300 load.

3. This promo applies only to newly activated Starbucks Cards (any design, including mini card). Reloaded Starbucks Cards are NOT included.

4. Customers cannot use a Starbucks Card or Gift Certificate to activate a Starbucks Card.

5. There is no limit to the number of Starbucks Cards a customer can activate.

6. The additional PhP 300 load must be loaded on the same Starbucks Card activated.

7. If a customer would like to activate a Starbucks Card with PhP 10,000, the customer should only shoulder the cost of PhP 9,700; the PhP 300 balance will be complimentary.

8. This promo cannot be availed in conjunction with other promotions.

Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 3670 Series of 2014

Starbucks Card Gift Pack (Dec. 1-3, 2014)

Do your Christmas shopping from December 1 to 3, 2014 in all Starbucks stores in the Philippines!

Starbucks cards now come in gift packs of six (6), each loaded with PhP 300 and selling at a special price of PhP 1,500 within the promo period. Each pack of 6 includes the following designs:

  • Holiday Tree Card
  • Snowman Card
  • Philippine Eagle Card
  • Cold Cups Card
  • Coffee Cups Card (2 pcs)

Starbucks Cards within a gift pack cannot be sold individually or interchanged with other designs. A Starbucks Card or Gift Certificate also cannot be used to purchase a gift pack.

To load a higher amount on each Starbucks Card, the gift pack must be purchased first, then reloaded in a separate transaction. This promo cannot be availed of with other promotions or discounts. (Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 3668 Series of 2014)

Starbucks Christmas Merchandise

From November 10 to December 7, 2014, select Christmas merchandise will be featured with different offers each week. Time your Christmas shopping to take advantage of the promos and discounts.

See the table below for the different weekly promos:

Note that this promo can’t be combined with other offers or discounts and are only valid in Starbucks stores in the Philippines. (Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 3672 Series of 2014)

The 2012 Starbucks Christmas Food Items

Want to know what Christmas goodies are available at Starbucks already? We got a sampling of them recently. Here they are!

New Items

Chocolate Cake made with Splenda (slice-PhP 150, whole-PhP 1,650)

A diabetic chocolate lover’s dream come true, the Chocolate Cake made with Splenda is going to be a popular, sugar-free dessert item for sure. Several layers of sugar-free chocolate sponge cake is filled with sugar-free chocolate cream filling, iced with chocolate ganache and topped off with a dark chocolate garnish.

Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake with Nestle Crunch (slice-PhP 140, whole-PhP 1,450)

Cheesecake lovers, this is a must try for you. The Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake with Nestle Crunch melts in your mouth just like chocolate truffle is the base filling, topped with lots of chopped Nestle Crunch chocolate (one of my favorite kinds of chocolate!!!).
Dark Cherry Silvana (PhP 95)

Much like a regular butter silvana, the Dark Cherry Silvana is made of creamy chocolate butter cream icing but with a twist. It is topped with bits of chopped maraschino cherries in between crunchy meringue layers, glazed with Belgian chocolate and topped with grated chocolate shavings. A maraschio cherry finishes off the top for accent.
Chicken Fajita Roll (PhP 95)

Chicken Fajita Roll is like a stuffed loaf of bread done up in Mexican style. The stuffing is made of Mexican flavored chicken breast and cream cheese. On the top of the bread are toppings of cheddar cheese, red and green peppers to give it a Christmas-y look.
Garlic Roasted Chicken Wrap (PhP 150)

One of my favorite wraps, pita bread, is filled with garlic roasted chicken rolling in Italian spices and sauteed fresh assorted veggies, then drizzled with a special garlic sauce. This is the Garlic Roasted Chicken Wrap.

Holiday Apple Glazed Porkloin Roast on Jalapeno Cheese Bread (PhP 160)
We were supposed to have the Holiday Apple Glazed Porkloin Roast on Jalapeno Cheese Bread but during our event, the bread was unavailable so we had the porkloin roast on ordinary bread. Not as great, I suppose, but maybe it means I need to go and order the real thing another time. Best when served warm!
Christmas Turkey & Chicken with Pear Chutney on Cranberry and Walnut Bread (PhP 160)
Turkey slices and chicken breast fillet combine in a cranberry and walnut bread spread over with pear chutney. The Christmas Turkey & Chicken with Pear Chutney is best served warm!

Returning Favorites
Starbucks brings back five (5) popular food items.
Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf (slice – PhP 60; whole – PhP 550)
The Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf (whole) looks like a moist, chocolate loaf. Sliced through, you find that it is frosted with smooth chocolate icing and topped with crunchy toffee for that nutty texture. It’s not too sweet also so just right for my taste.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie (PhP 60)
Cookie lovers, you’ll love how big and chewy the White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie is. Bite into it and you taste the chunky white chocolate mixed in with freshly roasted walnuts and great antioxidants – chopped dried cranberries. 
Peppermint Brownie (PhP 80)
I love mint chocolates so it’s natural that I’d take to the Peppermint Brownie right away.  This is made of fudgy, chewy chocolate brownie with peppermint cream cheese filling. Its topped with chocolate ganache and decorated like a Christmas tree with white, red and green chocolate drizzle, accented by small golden edible beads.
Gingerbread Cookie (PhP 55)
The Gingerbread Cookie is baaaack!!! Of course this year’s designs are different from last year’s but inside, it’s the same, loved ginger, allspice and cinnamon combination that gives the cookie its fragrance and flavoring as well.

Vanilla Pecan Butterscotch Twirl (PhP 90)
The Vanilla Pecan Butterscotch Twirl is a wonderfully light and flaky spiral roll. Biting into it, you taste the cinnamon and vanilla pastry cream filling together with its topping of roasted pecans drizzled with butterscotch sauce and slivers of white chocolate stripes across it. 
And….
the Christmas seasonal favorites (Toffee Nut Latte, Dark Cherry Mocha and Peppermint Mocha) are here too. Tall – PhP 155, Grande – PhP 165, Venti – PhP 180.

Starbucks Christmas Offerings 2011 are spelled M-O-R-E

Watch out on November 3, 2011. Starbucks will be bringing to you their Christmas food, beverages and Christmas blends and I can say that it’s MORE and MORE this year.

This year, Starbucks is coming up with — guess how many?

15 CHRISTMAS FOOD ITEMS
3 CHRISTMAS BEVERAGES
3 CHRISTMAS BLENDS

That many.

I asked Celine Clemente, Starbucks’ person in charge of whipping up all the delicious food offerings – why 15? Celine said that they really wanted to give a wider array of food items spanning breads, wraps, cookies and dessert. Okay, I’m not complaining about that, hahaha…

So are you ready now for a mouth-watering trip? Here goes…

CHRISTMAS FOOD OFFERINGS (new)

Pecan Butterscotch Twirl (Php 85)

Pecan Butterscotch Twirl is a light and flaky spiral roll stuffed with stuffed with cinnamon and creamy vanilla pastry cream filling. On top are sprinkles of roasted pecans drizzled with butterscotch sauce and white chocolate.

Hazelnut Stollen Bread (PhP 65/slice, PhP 595 whole)

Hazelnut Stollen Bread, as you can guess from the name, originates from Germany. It’s a German festival bread popular during Christmas but not only in Germany but throughout Europe. It is a sweet yeast bread with toasted hazelnut paste balanced with raisins on the insides.

S’mores (PhP 70)

S’mores are made of a buttery graham crust. When you bite into it, taste the gooey melted marshmallow cream and dark chocolate topped with chocolate ganache.

Triple Decker Cheesecake with Snickers
(PhP 130/slice, PhP 1250/whole)

The word “triple decker” to describe a cheesecake is enough to make me say “I want!”. The Triple Decker Cheesecake with Snickers is loaded with chunks of my favorite Snickers bar in a chocolate cookie crust topped with a chocolate fudge icing and roasted chopped peanuts.

Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
(PhP 110/slice, PhP 950 whole)

The Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is served warm from the oven. It’s your chocolate chip cookie baked into a cake then topped with thick chocolate mousse illed with mini chocolate chip cookies. When you take this in a Starbucks branch, they can put a dollop of whipped cream on top and drizzle it with their very own Starbucks caramel drizzle.

Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Roll (PhP 50)

The Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Roll is a crispy, crunchy outer crust with a slightly chewy and soft center. Sun-dried tomatoes and basil were added to this French roll as a flavorful twist. While Starbucks serves this with butter and jam, I prefer just putting butter on it because the jam overwhelms the bread’s taste too much. But again, that’s just me. Others prefer adding the sweet jam to it.

Chicken Alfredo Turnover (PhP 90)

A light, buttery and flaky crust is what you see with the Chicken Alfredo Turnover. It’s filled inside with moist and juicy chicken breast cubes marinated in Italian seasoning then sauteed in Alfredo sauce. This is best served warm.

Texas Chicken BBQ Wrap (PhP 140)

Strips of fried chicken breast fillet, tossed in barbecue sauce with Texas-style salsa, grated cheese and sour cream wrapped in soft, chewy tortilla is what Texas Chicken BBQ Wrap is all about. This is best served warm.

Glazed Ham with Apricot Spread on Multi-Grain Bread (PhP 140)

This was my favorite of the non-dessert offerings – Glazed Ham with Apricot Spread on Multi-Grain Bread. Slices of glazed ham and creamy mozzarella cheese with tangy and sweet apricot dressing is inside a crisp, crunchy and soft center multi-grain bread. Serve it up warm too.

Turkey & Chicken with Apple Stuffing on Whole Wheat Walnut Bread (PhP 140)

The whole name describes already what Turkey & Chicken with Apple Stuffing on Whole Wheat Walnut Bread is all about. Turkey and chicken breast make for a healthy stuffing and apple stuffing with cranberry spread add to its flavors. I loved this one too.

RETURNING FOOD OFFERINGS
Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf (PhP 55/slice, PhP 495 whole)

Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf is a rich, moist and dense chocolate loaf frosted with chocolate icing and topped with crunchy toffee.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie (PhP 55)

The White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie is big, chunky, chewy and crunchy all rolled into one. It’s got chunky, white chocolate, fresh roasted walnuts and chopped dried cranberries.

Peppermint Brownie (PhP 75)

Fudgy, chewy, chocolate brownie and creamy smooth peppermint cream cheese filling topped with chocolate ganache – that’s Peppermint Brownie. To give it a Christmas-y look, it was finished with white, red and green chocolate drizzle.

 Gingerbread Cookie (PhP 55)

The children will love the snowman Gingerbread Cookie! This is great as a gift. Ginger, allspice and cinnamon combo makes this cookie smell good even before you bite into it.

Chocolate Molten Cake (PhP 120)

Moist, chocolate sponge cake filled with dark chocolate and caramel truffle – that’s the Chocolate Molten Cake. It’s served warm, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with Starbucks caramel sauce.

CHRISTMAS BEVERAGES
Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha

This is the new beverage offering this Christmas – Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha. Starbucks’ signature espresso is combined with freshly steamed milk and white chocolate then topped with whipped cream, a tart cranberry drizzle and crystallized cranberry sugar.

Peppermint Mocha

My favorite Peppermint Mocha is back! Warm espresso, steamed milk, bittersweet chocolate and peppermint make a yummy combination. Topped with whipped cream and red sugar sprinkles.

Toffee Nut Latte

Toffee Nut Latte seems to be a favorite among most of my friends. It has the rich, buttery taste of sweet toffee combined with toasted nuts, blended with smooth espresso and steamed milk. It’s likewise topped with whipped cream and toffee-flavored sprinkles.

CHRISTMAS COFFEE BLENDS
Christmas Blend (PhP 500)

The Christmas Blend is a full-bodied coffee combining Latin American coffees with the mellow smoothness of Asia-Pacific coffees. Aged Sumatra beans give it its spicy notes.

Christmas Blend Espresso Roast (PhP 500)

This Christmas Blend Espresso Roast is made from Sumatra and aged Sumatra coffees combined with beans from the Bella Vista F. W. Estate in Tres Rios, Costa Rica. It’s roasted in Starbucks’ signature Espresso Roast to give it an intense flavor and spicy finish.

VIA Ready-Brew Christmas Blend (PhP 495)

Instant coffee in the Starbucks tradition is the VIA Ready-Brew Christmas Blend. No need to grind beans. This one comes straight out of the pack and into your coffee mug, ready to be mixed with hot water. 

On November 3, head out to your favorite Starbucks branch. I already know which ones I’d like to try first.

Which ones are you trying out first?