This holiday season, the buzz around Starbucks is back — and this time, the much-talked-about glass teddy-bear tumbler known as the Bearista Cup might finally be within reach for fans nationwide thanks to a new promotion called Starbucks for Life Merrython. As of December 8, 2025, Starbucks confirmed that 17,000 Bearista Cups will be awarded through Merrython — giving hopeful customers another chance at the winter merchandise that sold out in minutes last month.
If you missed the first drop, this could be your shot at scoring one without battling resellers or dawn-run lines.
What Happened With the Bearista Cup — And Why It Exploded
When Starbucks released its 2025 holiday collection in early November, the Bearista Cup leapt out among more traditional red cups and seasonal mugs. Shaped like a glass teddy bear wearing a green beanie and topped with a striped straw, the 20-ounce collectible retails for about $29.95. But demand quickly overwhelmed supply. Stores reportedly received only one or two per location — and many locations sold out within hours. Social media lit up with tales of fans camping outside before dawn, driving across neighborhoods, or refreshing store stock alerts — only to find none available.
Resale sites exploded too. Listings touted Bearista Cups for hundreds — in many cases, several times the original price — fueling frustration among collectors and regular customers alike. Starbucks later acknowledged the overwhelming demand and apologized for disappointing fans, even as it promised more holiday merch to come.
But by then, the frenzy had already transformed this cute cup into a full-blown cultural moment — part hype, part commerce, part “got-to-get-it” fear of missing out. The viral buzz was driven not only by the design’s charm but by the scarcity: limited supply mixed with high demand creates urgency. Marketing experts point out that the Bearista Cup captured something larger than drinkware — it tapped into a desire for nostalgia, cuteness, collectibility, and the holiday spirit.
Enter Merrython: How Starbucks Is Giving Fans a Second Chance
In early December, Starbucks shifted gears. Instead of opening stores for another wave of in-person sales, the company announced the Bearista Cup will now be part of the Starbucks for Life Merrython — a digital, app-based giveaway and instant-win game for loyalty members. According to official updates, 17,000 Bearista Cups will be awarded as part of the Merrython prizes.
That’s a substantial drop — but not a guarantee. Here’s how the Merrython works:
- The restock runs beginning December 8, 2025, through the Starbucks app only. No in-store sales are planned for the Bearista Cup.
- Each participant gets limited chances — with one “prize play” and one sweepstakes entry per week, plus possibly up to two prize plays per day depending on activity.
- Prizes aren’t limited to cups. Other items up for grabs include bonus Loyalty “stars,” free drinks or food for a day (or longer), gift cards, seasonal merch, and more.
- Winning a Bearista Cup via instant-win is not guaranteed, and many participants may end up with smaller prizes or none at all.
In short: this isn’t a restock you can buy into. It’s a digital lottery.
Why Starbucks Shifted Strategy — And What It Means for the Brand
Shifting the restock exclusively to an app-based giveaway reflects a major change for Starbucks, likely shaped by lessons from the initial release. When stores opened for the Bearista launch, what followed was chaotic: long lines, early-morning camping, high demand, immediate sellouts — even some reported brawls. For many, Starbucks’ apology for “not anticipating the frenzy” wasn’t enough to smooth things over.
By moving to a Merrython model, Starbucks avoids physical crowds, restocking logistics, and store-by-store unpredictability. It offers the company more control — and reduces the risk of chaos and negative headlines.
For fans, however, it means embracing uncertainty. While there are 17,000 cups up for grabs, the massive customer base makes odds slim. In effect, Starbucks is turning a high-demand retail event into a timed lottery — a cleaner, less chaotic solution that might still leave many disappointed.
For the brand, this shift also aligns with broader goals: leaner operations, streamlined distribution, and leveraging digital engagement (through the Starbucks app) over physical store traffic. Given global macroeconomic uncertainty and rising costs, a promotion that fosters brand buzz without straining resources makes sense.
What You Should Do If You Still Want a Bearista Cup — Tips for Merrython
If you’re aiming to snag a Bearista Cup through Merrython this season, here are a few smart moves to boost your chances:
- Install or update the Starbucks app — Make sure your app is fully updated tonight before entries begin tomorrow.
- Sign in early and prep payment details — Have a Starbucks Card or other payment method loaded so you can act fast when the drawing goes live.
- Check frequently starting Dec. 8 — The instant-win prompts may not be obvious. Check the “Rewards” or “Merrython” section first thing in the morning.
- Don’t count on multiple chances — Even if you enter weekly, odds remain slim. Expect to miss out — and treat any win as a fortunate surprise.
- Consider it a bonus, not a guarantee — The Bearista Cup is no longer a purchase. It’s a prize. Manage expectations accordingly.
What This Means for Collectors — And for Social Buzz
For fans and collectors, Merrython presents both hope and frustration. On one hand, 17,000 new Bearista Cups are a significant number, and for many who missed out previously, this is the best realistic chance to own one without jumping through resale hoops. But compared to the millions of Starbucks customers nationwide? That’s a tiny fraction — meaning many will likely come up empty.
Still, the mere possibility has already reignited chatter online. Social feeds and fan forums are buzzing, not just about entries and odds, but about what the Bearista craze says about our culture: why we collect, what we value, and how brands can drive excitement with limited drops.
For Starbucks, Merrython might win some goodwill — rewarding loyal users. It may also reset expectations: fewer physical drops, more digital contests, more scarcity management. If it succeeds without major backlash, similar campaigns could become standard in future holiday seasons.
Bigger Picture: What Starbucks’ Holiday Strategy Looks Like in 2025
The Bearista Cup restock isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a broader holiday playbook: seasonal beverages, recurring traditions, and new merchandise pulls aimed at fueling consumer interest during one of the busiest retail periods.
This year’s holiday menu — launched in early November — included returning favorites such as the Eggnog Latte and Chestnut Praline Latte. Alongside festive drinks, Starbucks rolled out a curated holiday merchandise collection featuring reusable red cups, limited-edition mugs, tumblers, gifts, and fan-favorite designs inspired by its iconic barista aprons and seasonal motifs.
Red Cup Day (Nov. 13) followed swiftly after the Bearista release, offering a reusable red cup to customers who purchased a handcrafted holiday drink — continuing a longstanding tradition steeped in holiday cheer. These combined promotions demonstrate how Starbucks aims to keep the holiday momentum alive, blending nostalgia, exclusivity, and seasonal indulgence.
But with tight supply and growing public scrutiny over scarcity, the brand seems to be recalibrating. The move to app-only contests reduces volatility and keeps distribution manageable. It may mark a new era in how Starbucks manages high-demand drops — one where access becomes controlled and digital rather than spontaneous and store-based.
What Critics, Collectors, and the Public Are Saying
Not everyone is thrilled by limited drops and digital lotteries. Some critics argue that the artificial scarcity fuels reselling, dumpster-dive flipping, and waste — especially when demand far outpaces supply. For collectors, the tournament-style release makes the Bearista Cup feel less like a collectible and more like a gamble.
Fans on social media echoed those sentiments after the first release: some expressed anger that Starbucks didn’t distribute enough, others vented that store workers may have snapped up the limited stock first. Many also noted the environmental irony: releasing a reusable cup meant to promote sustainability — only to create reselling mania or hoarding.
With the switch to Merrython, reactions are mixed. Some appreciate the fairness (everyone gets a shot via app), while others lament the diminished transparency and low odds. For a cup that became emblematic of holiday joy and comfort, the new dance feels more transactional — and less magical.
What to Watch Next — Watchfulness, Not Certainty
No one knows exactly how many Bearista Cups will actually reach customers once Merrython concludes. With 17,000 cups at stake, some will win. Many won’t.
Important metrics to watch:
- How many winners claim their cups. Some draws may result in unclaimed cups, leaving potential for future waves — or rumors thereof.
- How resale prices react. If demand remains high and supply stays limited, sealed cups could continue fetching high resale prices.
- Public and social-media reaction. If too many customers feel shut out, backlash could damage goodwill — especially given the earlier frenzy and disappointment.
- Whether Starbucks adopts this model long-term. If Merrython succeeds without chaos, limited-edition items may increasingly shift to app-based draws, reducing in-store drops.
For now, fans should treat Merrython as a chance — but one with long odds, tight supply, and no guarantees.
If you’re entering the game, fingers crossed you get lucky. And if not this season — maybe next.
Curious if you win — or how the trend evolves? Drop a comment below and keep checking back for updates.