Here's what this year's Starbucks holiday cups look like

The holidays officially begin this week — at least at Starbucks — when the coffee chain rolls out its annual seasonal cups.

The holidays officially begin this week — at least at Starbucks — when the coffee chain rolls out its annual seasonal cups.

Beginning Thursday, customers at its U.S. locations will have their hot drinks served in one of four kinds of festive cups that have “familiar shades of Starbucks green and cranberry red paired with fondant-inspired soft pastels,” according to a press release.

Green is the focus in this year's design, with Kristy Cameron, Starbucks' creative director, saying in the release that the jade hue “references our brand colors in a way that brings a spark of joy to our holiday cups this season.”

The cups have become a tradition for the coffee chain and drum up excitement among its loyal customers. The tradition has also boosted revenue in the past, which the chain desperately needs.

Last week, Starbucks reported a third straight quarter of slumping sales and declining customer visits: Global sales at stores open at least a year dropped seven per cent last quarter and the number of customer transactions fell eight per cent.

Each of the four cups has a unique name and theme. The “joyful connection” design has circular shapes “combining to form a pattern that honors the art of coffee roasting,” with the design based off the roasters seen at Starbucks’ fancy Reserve Roastery locations.