The Starbucks Red Holiday Cup controversy first erupted in 2015 when the coffee giant debuted a minimalist, solid red cup design, omitting previous years' festive illustrations. This design choice sparked a viral 'War on Christmas' narrative, popularized by critics who viewed the simplicity as a snub to traditional holiday values. Today, the meme is used to poke fun at the predictable cycle of seasonal outrage and the absurdity of social media backlash over corporate branding. It serves as a perennial reminder of how quickly small design changes can become cultural flashpoints during the holiday season.