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I’ll admit, I am a sucker for the holiday season. My fiancé and I were driving down the road last week, looking at all of the houses covered in Christmas lights, their yards littered with Nativity Scenes and inflatable snowmen, and somehow, all seemed to be right with the world.
I’m also a sucker for traditions – Putting up the Christmas tree while watching “Christmas Vacation”, Black Friday shopping with my family, grabbing my Gingerbread Latte on the first day Starbucks introduces the almighty “red cup” for the holiday season.
The smart companies, for the sake of example in this post we’ll go with Starbucks, know that this time of the year is all about tradition – and they’ve established themselves as a part of the holiday routine. To that I say, BRILLIANT!
There’s this aura about Starbucks that has me entranced. Their coffee doesn’t always taste great, they don’t have the charm of a small independent coffee shop, but where they lack in some areas, they make up for in customer service, convenience, and TRADITION.
I was having a conversation with a coworker – someone who religiously picks up her Vente Carmel Macchiato every morning before coming into the office – She told me that it wasn’t so much the coffee itself – it’s the “experience” that keeps her coming back for more. It’s having your gloves and hat on and holding that red cup.
It’s comfort and tradition in a paper cup. It’s snowy weather and family and bonfires in every sip. It works.
Do you “buy into” tradition? What are some other examples of “comfort buys”?
Comments
I, too, indulge in the
I, too, indulge in the Starbucks "experience" as a part of tradition starting with their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte and carrying through until the last of the Gingerbread is gone. :)
My other "comfort buys" include an endless amount of chapstick and regular visit to Borders for their free WiFi to go along with my holiday shopping.
I have to agree that Starbucks really has become part of the holiday tradition for many people...
Holiday traditions are great.
Holiday traditions are great. I still send out Christmas cards to my less-digital family friends, buy a ton of apple spice candles, and watch holiday movies over and over. While there's something to be said about trying something new, tradition is comforting. And we can all use a little comfort now and then. *Drinking my Carmel Brulee Lattee
What's funny about your
What's funny about your comments about Starbucks is that while I too get suckered in, the "experience" is tainted for me because I worked there for two years. From a branding perspective, which I have discussed on my blog, their positioning as a third space, offering legendary service and creating the experience of a coffee culture is actually suffering. They've distanced themselves too far from their original vision, bringing Italian coffee culture to the US (which clearly worked spectacularly) and have become the find-it-all place - CDs, knick knacks, sandwiches, pastries (fast food essentially), a space that resembles more of a take out fast food place than a café. Obviously living in Paris I'm partial to the REAL café experience but you definitely don't get the quality customer service :)
Now for my traditions - aside from eating latkes and listening to Christmas music because Chanukah music leaves a lot to be desired, I would say that movies are always part of my holiday tradition. My go-to holiday movies EVERY year are the following:
Little Women (listen, I've loved this film since 4th grade, I will forever love it)
Home Alone (can't get much better)
A Christmas Story (classic)
Elf (anyone who doesn't find this funny has no sense of humor or spirit. ie my husband!)
You've Got Mail (a film that spans all 4 seasons but warms my soul nonetheless!)
Kiki - I'm right there with
Kiki - I'm right there with you. It's almost sick how much Starbucks has become synonymous with the holidays. I prefer a local coffee shop over Starbucks any day, and actually have plans to open up a shop of my own one of these days - but you can't deny their marketing approach has been stellar through the years.
Emily - It's become a part of the traditions hasn't it? I'll admit I'm just as big of a sap for the season as you are. This is actually the first year I'm sending out hand written Christmas Cards to friends and family - spending a lot of time on them actually, it doesn't take much to really make an impression - I've experienced that myself, and want to share that with other people his holiday season...so keep an eye on your mailbox!
Lindsey - Home Alone is the best from that list - in my opinion - I actually think I might like Home Alone 2 a little better. There's something about TIm Curry....lol - Anyways, I agree that Starbucks is losing ground, and I'm one of the first to be cheering for the little coffee shop on the corner to take away all their business - which is why it's even more scary that it's become such a staple in my life, lol.
Tim, what about you man? You don't drink coffee, right? But I know you've got some killer holiday traditions. Ehem *Jahn Christmas* ehem...
I do enjoy tradition and
I do enjoy tradition and that's the reason I created Jahn Christmas. I wanted to make the display a tradition for families in the area, something they could look forward to and experience each year during the holiday season. Hopefully it's working :)
I'm sure it is man - a very
I'm sure it is man - a very cool idea indeed. It's that sort of 'selfless' giving that really leaves an impact on other people. It may not seem like much, but as you said, it becomes a part of people's holiday tradition.
I do buy into traditions, but
I do buy into traditions, but not necessarily monetarily.
Starbucks doesn't evoke that much tradition or nostalgia for me, but I have many friends who feel that way. I encourage them, if it makes them happy, tastes good and they can logically afford it, to go for it. I know the feeling.
I buy into traditions because as humans, change is inconvenient (yes?;) Not only that, these traditions are ingrained in our mind as warm, happy and make us feel good. Of course we continue to create those traditions and buy into them, even if it's cheesy, or $3 everyday. I think it's okay to do so, as long as you realize why and it matches your financial value.
Cool post, I like the idea :)
Bonus points for the
Bonus points for the "inconvenience of change" reference :) - I hear you loud and clear - Change is difficult, it's why so often these habits turn into traditions. I actually have a resolution to set aside all of the money I would have spent on coffee - aptly called the "WhatIWouldHaveSpentonCofee" fund. Odds are - I'll end up with a nice little sum of money by the end of 2010. Thanks for the comment Grace!
I like the Starbucks
I like the Starbucks tradition. Traditions are good in small doses or they can stunt growth.
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