The Caffeination Nation has a bit more to cheer about this holiday season: Java giant Starbucks has announced its Give Good Campaign, targeting select cities with giveaways totaling $1 million. The company will be surprising customers with gift cards throughout the month of December, doling out a million smackers in the coveted cards and other prizes.
“Give Good Squads,” decked out in the familiar green and red aprons of the coffee chain, will take to the streets in the cities, handing out the cards to passersby. “The inspiration behind Project Give Good is simple, we want to brighten the holidays and delight our customers,” said Kris Engskov, executive vice president of U.S. Retail for Starbucks. “We hope the gift of a Starbucks Card will give customers the opportunity to take a break or catch up with a loved one over coffee.”
A whopping 20,000 $20 gift cards will be distributed as part of the effort. Additionally, during December, customers using the Starbucks app or a Starbucks Rewards card are automatically upgraded to Gold status for a year. Gold members can redeem “star” points from purchases for free items, like snacks.
If that’s not enough, there’s also a Starbucks for Life Sweepstakes, that offers—you guessed it—Starbucks for life. Starbucks Rewards members have a chance to win Starbucks for a week, a month, a year and the grand prize of more coffee than you can drink in a lifetime. We think. Some people can drink a lot of coffee. There are also instant-win prizes of food and merchandise as well as bonus games on the Starbucks for Life website.
Get Your Starbucks Fix at Home with These Copycats
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Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink with this caramel mocha recipe. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Starbucks Coconut Creme Frapuccino Blended Creme
I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake
My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon pound cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired By: Starbucks Berry Trio Yogurt
Expecting brunch company, but short on time? My quick, delicious and beautiful parfaits are the perfect solution. Feel free to mix and match your favorite berries. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage
The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois
Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha
When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte
This is a great alternative to regular hot coffee and is much more economical than store-bought coffee drinks. Sweetened condensed milk and a hint of chocolate lend a special touch. —Heather Nandell, Johnston, Iowa
Inspired By: Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scone
Moist and scrumptious, these scones come out perfect every time. I savor the chewy dried cranberries and sweet orange glaze. There's nothing better than serving these remarkable scones warm with the delicate orange butter. —Karen McBride, Indianapolis, Indiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Bread
An enticing aroma wafts through my house when this tender cake-like pumpkin bread is in the oven. I bake extra loaves to give as holiday gifts. My friends wait eagerly for it every year. —Linda Burnett, Prescott, Arizona
Inspired By: Starbucks Turkey & Havarti Sandwich
This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Inspired By: Starbucks Hot Chocolate
This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Inspired By: Starbucks Chai Latte
My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Muffin
Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake, and these are the best. I always keep some in the freezer for breakfast on the run. I can zap one in the microwave before I head out the door. —Kelly Kirby Westville, Nova Scotia
Inspired By: Starbucks Banana Nut Bread
This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois
Inspired By: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Inspired By: Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich
I love the versatility of egg salad, especially with this recipe. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana
Inspired By: Starbucks Everything Bagel with Cheese
Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired By: Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee
Coffee ice cubes power up this refreshing drink. Have it morning, noon or—if you dare—night! —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York
Inspired By: Starbucks Blueberry Scone
I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey
Inspired By: Starbucks Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Wake up your taste buds with eye-opening breakfast sandwiches featuring spicy sausage, fluffy egg, tomato and creamy avocado piled high on a flaky croissant.—Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Inspired By: Starbucks Classic Whole-Grain Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Inspired By: Starbucks Homestyle Chicken & Double-Smoked Bacon
Everyone likes this tasty chicken breast sandwich. Flattening the chicken breasts helps them cook faster, and the mango chutney and other toppings make them better than anything you could order in a restaurant. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha with Cinnamon
Most store-bought flavored coffees are expensive. Here's a special early-morning beverage you can make at home. The aroma of cinnamon and cocoa makes this mocha coffee hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Italian-Style Ham & Spicy Salami
Olive lovers are sure to rejoice over this stacked sandwich! Stuffed and ripe olives are marinated in white wine vinegar and garlic before using them to flavor these speedy salami, ham and provolone subs.—Delores Christner, Spooner, Wisconsin
Inspired By: Starbucks Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Panini
Why settle for ordinary grilled cheese when this is so easy to fix? Pair the sandwiches with your favorite soup for a fast, satisfying meal. —Arlene Reagan, Limerick, Pennsylvania