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By the time December settles in, comfort starts to matter more than novelty. The days grow louder, calendars fill up quickly, and even small pauses feel earned. This was the mood CHAGEE Philippines tapped into with its recent collaboration with Hello Kitty, one built around a limited-time Cocoa Oolong Milk Tea and a series of holiday moments that quietly unfolded across Manila.
The drink was introduced on December 12, just as the year-end rush began. It wasn’t flashy, but it highlighted something meaningful and comforting: a refreshing cup, a familiar character, and the notion that relaxing could still align with the season.
What’s in the cup
CHAGEE’s Cocoa Oolong Milk Tea combines roasted oolong with cocoa, creating a beverage that feels more comforting than decadent. The oolong imparts a subtle bitterness and delicate floral hints, while the cocoa softens the flavors, resulting in a smooth, approachable finish. This blend encourages repeated sips rather than a quick, sugar-laden burst.
Served in limited-edition holiday cups and offered in regular and large sizes, the drink seemed made for everyday December moments — after errands, between meetings, or during long mall walks that somehow extend into the evening.
Hello Kitty still works
Hello Kitty has been part of pop culture for decades, but her appeal hasn’t really changed. She remains familiar and oddly grounding, especially during a season that tends to overdo everything else.
For this collaboration, CHAGEE Philippines leaned into a warmer, more relaxed interpretation of the character, one that matched the muted tones of cocoa and tea rather than loud holiday colors. The result served as a quick visual cue for comfort, easily recognizable without demanding too much attention.
From drink to collectible
Alongside the drink, CHAGEE Philippines introduced a range of limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise released through seasonal bundles. Small accessories such as snaps, slings, and charms are meant to be clipped onto bags or given as casual gifts, serving more as keepsakes than statement pieces.
The rollout felt intentionally low-pressure. The collectibles were there for those who wanted them, easy to pick up with a drink order, and just as easy to miss without feeling like you missed the point.
A short-lived pop-up, done simply
Between December 19 and 21, CHAGEE Philippines brought the collaboration offline with a pop-up at Trinoma. The space favored interaction over spectacle, featuring photo corners, tasting stations, and hands-on activities that invited visitors to linger without feeling hurried.
Visitors could sample the drink, craft small keepsakes inspired by tea and Hello Kitty, and explore the space at their own pace. Like many memorable December moments, it was cozy and intentionally temporary.
Not every holiday release needs to be flashy to leave an impression. During a month filled with excess, CHAGEE’s Cocoa Oolong Milk Tea collaboration stood out specifically because it didn’t try too hard. It provided something familiar and ephemeral, a beverage meant to be enjoyed amid all the other distractions.
Find out more about the limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise and bundles on CHAGEE Philippines’ Instagram and Facebook.