Welcome the New Year with these Starbucks Year of the Pig goodies and new Teavana beverages

February 5, 2019 will be Chinese New Year — the Year of the (Earth) Pig. To usher it in with abundance and prosperity, Starbucks Philippines has come up with Year of the Pig merchandise and an accompanying Year of the Pig Starbucks card.

I love the look of The Year of the Pig mug. It helps that the dominant background color is a vibrant red. A cute pig face with a prominent snout is embossed on the front. The handle is a stylized version of a pig tail and you realize, as you turn the mug, that the handle gives you a back view of the pig.

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Meet the 2019 Starbucks planners and travel organizers

You saw it right. Starbucks has leveled up and for 2019, it is giving all Starbucks lovers two different items that can be obtained by collecting stickers.

Aside from the well-loved 2019 Starbucks Planners, Starbucks is introducing, for the first time, two variants of the Starbucks Travel Organizers. That’s four different items you can get from stickers you collect! Be sure to read all the way to the end to see how to collect these stickers and join the promo, Starbucks for a Year.

The 2019 Starbucks Planner comes in only one size this year – the regular size (in some years, they also offered a smaller notebook size). It comes in two colors: Espresso and Milk (I am partial to the Milk variant!). Each planner cover features a canvas finish with metallic gold and copper stamping as well as matching canvas pouch. The 2019 Starbucks Travel Organizers feature a leather-finish, zipped case with slots in the inside left side for cards, a mobile phone or powerbank, wires and a pen. A small notebook in matching color comes with pages that are a third grid, dot grid, and plain. Each planner/travel organizer comes with its own exclusive, limited edition Starbucks Card inspired by the mystery of the Siren and the magic of well-roasted beans.

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I love the new 2017 Edition Pilipinas Starbucks Card!

Starbucks’ loyalty program celebrates its fourth year in the Philippines this year with a lot of treats for its cardholders. Yay!

As part of the celebration, Starbucks is coming out with its 2017 Edition Pilipinas Starbucks Card this July 25. I love the design!

 

2017 Piipinas Starbucks card

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June-July 2016 Starbucks Card Collectibles: Vivienne Tam and Scales

Two awesome, must-have Starbucks cards are available: one was released this June and another is coming in July.

Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card

The Vivienne Tam Starbucks Card
Available July 1, 2016 with initial consumable load of PhP 1,000

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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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Collectible Must-Haves: Starbucks Relief Mug Set

When you get something wrapped like this from Starbucks, you know that this won’t be just an ordinary unboxing day.

And true enough, this was an extra special package that arrived because inside it was the set of 2 Starbucks Relief Mugs featuring Manila and Cebu!!!

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Starbucks opens 2015 with a bang — espresso beverages, food items, Starbucks cards, and promos

Starbucks is indeed beginning the new year with a loud bang as they have so many new things in the offing for all of us.

Read all the way to the end because they have ongoing and upcoming promos that you won’t want to miss.

WHOLE BEAN COFFEE VARIANTS (Jan. 9-Feb. 23, 2015)

Two new whole bean coffee variants are being offered for the period indicated.

South of the Clouds, PhP 495

South of the Clouds comes in the nick of time and appropriate for the upcoming Chinese New Year. It’s a blend that includes coffee from China’s Yunnan province in the Baoshan region. I have this variant and can’t wait to have the barista grind this just in time to ring in the Chinese New Year.

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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)

Sneak Preview of the Starbucks 2014 Planners and the Christmas Starbucks Card

It’s that time of the year once more! Starbucks will be releasing its Limited Edition 2014 Starbucks Philippines Planners this coming November 2, 2013. This 11th edition set of 4 planners is truly one that you would not want to miss collecting.

This year’s theme is “Coffee Perfection” and many details incorporated into the planner echo the theme.

The 4 planners feature leather covers and come in yellow, brown, magenta and black. These 4 shades were specifically chosen as they correspond to Starbucks’ coffee blends.

The yellow planner was inspired by the Blonde Willow Blend; the brown planner was inspired by the Medium Colombia Blend; and the magenta planner was inspired by the Dark Komodo Dragon Blend. These three blends are already available in the Philippines.

The black planner was inspired by the blend called Starbucks Reserve (available so far in Thailand and Singapore only) and is in limited quantity for now. The beans are exotic, rare, specially picked and roasted.

Starbucks Reserve Coffee (screenshot from Starbucks website)

Look at the artwork in each of the coffee blends. Then turn each planner over and carefully look at the embossed back cover. You will spot the same artwork incorporated into the back cover’s design.

Size-wise, they are about the same as last year’s. A magnetic clasp keeps the planners closed.

What are some of the new or improved features of this planner aside from the roast profiles?

* Signature bookmarks – Each planner also comes with its own signature bookmark and stands for something connected to Starbucks — a coffee bean for the yellow, a house (House Blend) for the brown, a vinta (Kape Vinta) for magenta, and the Starbucks cup for the black.

Each colored planner with its own signature bookmark

* QR codes – Starbucks has gone digital. On some pages with pictures depicting Starbucks stories, you will find a QR code at a corner. Scan that with a scanning app and if you are online, you will be redirected to a Starbucks video that expounds on what the printed story is all about! I can’t wait to try that one out.

The QR code

How QR code looks on a story page

* Coffee stickers – A Starbucks survey showed that most planner users love stickers so they introduced coffee stickers reflecting the blends being featured.

* Coupons, coupons and more coupons – There are now 14 coupons you can use throughout the year to get Starbucks freebies. Last year there were only 13. That’s more than one a month!

How to Get the Starbucks 2014 Planner

If you’ve collected stickers for past planners, you more or less know how this goes. But if you’re a first-time collector of Starbucks stickers for the planner, here is how:

1. Get a promo card from any Starbucks branch.

Front

Back

2. You will need 18 stickers this time (9 Christmas beverages, 9 core beverages), except bottled drinks.

3. Promo is from Nov. 2, 2013-January 8, 2014.

Limited Christmas Starbucks Card Collectibles

Starbucks collectors, this one’s for you!

Starbucks has come up with 2 Christmas designs for its Starbucks card. It will only be available on a very limited basis but works exactly like the classic Starbucks card. One design is a snowman in a forest on a wintry day and the other design is a golden Christmas tree against a red backdrop.

Starbucks Leather Card Cases
For the first time also, leather card cases are available in colors matching the four 2014 planners. Mind you, these are not synthetic leather cases. I held them up to my nose and smelled REAL LEATHER!
Now, take note of this because it is only good for 3 DAYS!
From Nov. 4-6, 2013, just buy a Christmas Starbucks card and top it up with P1,500 and you get a FREE leather card case of your choice (subject to availability of color at the branch). For those who would rather not get the leather card case (but why won’t you???), you can get P300 FREE extra load on top of your P1,500. Remember, just these 3 days.

And here’s one more tip…

You get the most value if you use your Starbucks card when purchasing a beverage. Why? Because not only do you get a sticker towards the planner but you also earn a star towards a future free beverage once you accumulate the needed number of stars.

Happy collecting!!!