Starbucks releases 2016 red holiday cups

Starbucks has unveiled their 2016 holiday red cups, featuring 13 winter-inspired designs that were created by customers.

The selected cup designs were picked after Starbucks invited customers to share their own unique cup art on Instagram in December last year. Last year, Starbucks had plain red holiday cups, with some customers using their cups as canvasses for creative art designs.

"The artists behind the work hail from all over the world - a college student studying in Germany, a hairstylist near Philadelphia, an aspiring artist in New York," Starbucks said on Wednesday. "Their inspiration came from nature and seasonal traditions. Some are bold and graphic while others evoke the feeling of an old-fashioned storybook. Together the collection expresses the shared spirit of the season."

The coffee chain faced controversy last year year for their plain red cups, with some social media users criticizing Starbucks for removing their holiday-themed designs. Last week, the chain also released a green cup ahead of Election Day, calling it a "symbol of unity."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.