A mug is a practical and personable gift idea.

Mugs as gifts can be personalized, given as a memory of a favorite site like a national park, or put together as a theme gift set. Mugs can break but they’re rarely thrown out. While they can be bought in most any type store, there are also many places online to purchase quality mugs.

Personalized Mugs

Put a childhood photo on a mug or put on a photo of a grandchild. Mugs can have special writing or marked with special dates such as “Remember July ___, _____? Let’s try it again!”

Mugs of Locations

Travelers used to collect stickers of places they had visited. But one of my wife’s favorite mugs was one of YellowstoneNational Park. We kept it as a reminder of a special vacation we had taken with the family.

Mugs as Decoration

Crystal mugs on a mug tree can add a beauty and richness to any kitchen or dining area. A translucent mug placed near a window can act as a prism and add even subtle tones of color to a room.

Mugs as Practical Tools

While I don’t use stainless steel travel mugs, perhaps I should since they would reduce the number of coffee spills in my car. Make sure a travel mug can fit in the cup holder of the car and that the person driving really will use one. For someone who likes to stop for their coffee, they might just use the cups from the store and not get in the habit of carrying in their own mug.

Mugs as Themed Gifts

Mugs can be given as part of a themed gift set for almost any profession. Think of someone who likes watching old television sitcoms. A mug can be filled with coffee or tea packets, a video gift set, fuzzy slippers, and popcorn.

Or for the nurse or doctor who already has everything a mug can be given with chocolate candy kisses, a book like Chicken Soup for the Soul and other representative gifts.

Mugs are not necessarily cheap gifts. When writing my Hub on my Pittsburgh Steeler mug I was surprised to see some mugs sell for over $ 30. They are gifts that can fit most any budget. Check local thrift stores, too, for great deals on mugs especially uniquely decorated ones for only a few dollars.

When searching for gifts – whether online or in stores – don’t discount mugs as gifts that people enjoy.