This year, Starbucks came out with a new holiday beverage, their first new holiday flavor in five years. The latest addition to other holiday drinks, like Peppermint Mocha and Caramel Brulée Latte, is called the Chestnut Praline Latte and is made with “Espresso, steamed milk, and flavors of caramelized chestnuts and spices. Topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs” according to Starbucks.

Although, this change in the Christmas flavor lineup was not made hastily. Starbucks Global Beverage Innovation was looking into new holiday flavors as early as the fall of 2012. Now, two years later, the new beverage has come out in Starbucks stores all across the nation.

Even York students seem to enjoy the new beverage.

“It has kind of a nutty taste, but it works well with the sugar topping,” said senior Ainsley Damm.

However exciting the new flavor may be, it leads to question the intentions of celebrating the holiday season. Nov. 1, just one day after Halloween, the traditional Starbucks holiday red cups made their premiere sparking interest from customers all around the world. This kickoff day is one month and twenty­five days away from the actual holiday it means to celebrate.

While the entire holiday season doesn’t just include the day of Christmas, a day after the end of October still seems early to begin the celebration. Although, it certainly doesn’t hurt Starbucks’ sales.

“Starbucks Corp. (SBUX), the world’s largest coffee­shop chain, said first­quarter profit increased 10 percent as consumers bought more specialty beverages during the holidays,” said Leslie Patton in an article she wrote for Bloomberg in 2012.

This time of the year seems to be one of the most profitable seasons for Starbucks. Even so, Starbucks’ profit isn’t only made off its holiday beverage; the corporation also takes advantages of gift­giving during the holiday season.

Last year, one in eight adults received a Starbucks card during the holidays. This year, Starbucks introduced Starbucks® Dot Collection 2014 and the Starbucks Card Collection. This new collection attempts to be “personalized” and “affordable” with 100 unique designs on drinkware items for customers to choose from, all less than $20.

“I like getting Starbucks gift cards. It’s easier than using money,” said York senior, Hannah Wahlgren.

In the end, there is nothing wrong with celebrating the holidays with a little Starbucks; it is a brand name that continually keeps its reputation up to par and keeps its customers coming back for more.