In case you’ve been locked inside an old Hydroflask somewhere and aren’t hip to the newest reusable drinkware trend, Stanley cups are taking over the internet. (And no, I’m not referring to the hockey prize—which is 100% what I foolishly thought people were excited about when I first saw it trending on X). And with Stanley cups come the Stanley cup memes.
Recognizable for their large size, handled design, and unique array of colors, these stylish insulated cups have been in the news for what feels like all of late 2023, but have been causing quite a stir in the new year.
The latest news story around the cups came this month when the Stanley brand announced a limited edition line of bright pink cups for Valentine’s Day—aptly named “Galentine’s Day Quenchers”—to be sold in a partnership with Starbucks.
@whoslulugirl_2 Decided to vlog the whole morning! The cup is so cute!!✨🩷🫶🏻 #stanleyxstarbucks #stanleycup #starbucks #winterpink #stanley #target #vlog ♬ original sound – Bella💞
This launch was absolutely absurd, resulting in chaotic crowds reminiscent of the old pre-online shopping Black Friday days, with people lining up as early as 4 a.m. in an attempt to get their hands on the exclusive merch.
Many of those seeking these special edition cups are collectors who already own multiple Stanley cups. In fact, a quick search on TikTok reveals there are countless videos of people proudly sharing their vast collections.
However, these videos have caused many to point out the conflicting ideology that these reusable cups are meant to aid with reducing waste and are, by name, reusable—thus making the act of one person owning multiple cups defeating that purpose.
Stanley cup memes take over the internet
With people clamoring so intensely over the drinkware, Stanley cup memes have naturally spread far and wide across social media.
Stanley cups are a powerful symbol you do not live anywhere remotely walkable https://t.co/RdKWwp4AhL
— Legendary demi-hottie Li’l 🌳 (@karengeier) January 5, 2024
The Stanely cup craze even spawned a Saturday Night Live skit—one of the truest measures of top tier internet virality.
Editor’s note: This article is regularly updated for relevance.
