Coffee Mug Gift Ideas: ‘Tis the Season!

So, you’ve got a coffee drinker in your life and you’re at a loss for the holidays, birthdays – whatever the season may be. As a professional coffee drinking gift giver (which may or may not be a made up job title), I’ve come bearing coffee mug gift ideas!

Whether you’re buying for a coworker you barely know or a close relative, there’s something that every coffee drinker will enjoy on this list. And of course, there’s no rule that says you can’t gift one of these great coffee mugs to yourself!

Coffee Mug Gift Ideas at a Glance

Before we dive into the details, here’s a sneak peek at the coffee mug gift ideas I’ll be talking about today:

Coffee Mug Gift Ideas: When You Aren’t Sure What Else to Buy

If you’re of the opinion that coffee mug gift ideas aren’t cool, I’m here to prove you wrong! If you’re a coffee drinker yourself, then you already know you can’t have enough coffee mugs. Coffee lovers like to show off their mug collections the same way that some people like to show off their wardrobes or jewelry.

When you gift a coffee mug, you’re also giving something that will be put to use. Chances are your coffee drinker will be using that mug on a regular basis for their favorite cappuccino or pour over coffee. That’s more utility than I can give grandma’s holiday sweaters!

Not to mention, a coffee mug is easy to customize to fit the personality of the person you’re gifting it to. You can stick to neutral colors or patterns if it’s someone you barely know, or choose unique designs or quotes for close friends and family. The more personal the coffee mug is, the more memorable the gift will be.

Plus, there’s less room for trial and error than with some other gifts. It’s easy to miss the mark with clothes or food. However, coffee mugs – no matter how plain they may be – will always be a useful addition to anyone’s cabinet.

The 10 Best Coffee Mug Gift Ideas

So, now that you know coffee mug gift ideas are a perfect solution to your gift-giving conundrum, let’s talk about the best coffee mugs out there! While I’m here, I might as well mention that ceramic travel mugs and coffee thermoses are also great options. But if you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got ten great coffee mugs for you below! 

Bodum Bistro Glass Coffee Mug

If you or someone you know has always wanted x-ray vision, this Bistro Glass Coffee Mug for $9.99 is about as close as it gets.

I’d consider this coffee mug set to be one of the “safer” options on this list for a couple of reasons. It lacks any flashy patterns or graphics, so you don’t have to worry about choosing the wrong design for someone you don’t know very well. Still, the tempered glass is a look that I think most people will appreciate. Plus, you get to spy on whatever your coffee lover is drinking whenever they use these clear mugs!

Looks aside, you’ll get two 12 ounce (354 milliliter) coffee mugs made of tempered glass. Yes, the “tempered” part of that sentence does matter. If you don’t know, tempered glass is treated for better durability. It’s what your car windows, glass tables and in this case, coffee mugs are made of. I wasn’t kidding when I said this was one of the safer options on the list!

Tempered glass is far from invincible. Still, it withstands heat and pressure changes better than normal glass. In other words, this mug is microwave and freezer safe.

Lily’s Home Cute Fishing Cat Coffee Mug

Available for $14.99, I’d definitely label the Lily’s Home Cute Fishing Cat Coffee Mug as the best option for cat lovers. Seriously, take a look at that handle!

Pair this mug with a hot cup of French press and a furry friend, and I suspect you’ll have the perfect start to any morning. Just be sure that the furry friend doesn’t mistake the fish on the side of the cup for a real one!

As artsy as this mug is, I’ll admit that it does fall on the smaller side. Instead of a more standard amount, this cup only holds 9 ounces (266 milliliters). Of course, this doesn’t mean you’ll need to decrease your coffee intake. You just might need to fill it up more often.

Outside of its intricate 3D design, you’ll be gifting something durable to the coffee (and cat) lover in your life. There are plenty of reasons why ceramic is such a popular material for coffee mugs. Not only does it retain heat well, it doesn’t absorb or impart flavors as some materials might. I’m looking at you, stainless steel.

Ceramic is also a durable material. Since cat lovers are accustomed to small animals knocking things off counters or tables, durability is more important than you might think.

Silver Buffalo Star Wars Death Star Mug

Say what you want about Star Wars fans, but they’re easy to shop for. Seriously, just grab this Silver Buffalo Star Wars Death Star Mug for $15.79. I doubt you’ll be getting a lot of complaints from faithful devotees of the franchise. Plus, it’s cheaper than a lightsaber!

This ceramic mug holds an impressive 20 ounces (591 milliliters). So, I doubt you’ll be needing to make a lot of return trips to the coffee pot. That’s more than enough caffeine to help you channel the power of the Force, no matter how early your mornings may be.

Keep in mind that this mug isn’t microwave-safe. So, unless you want an explosion that rivals the destruction of the actual Death Star, I’d avoid nuking coffee in this mug. Anyway, you should never microwave coffee, period!

Paladone Prescription Coffee Mug

Before you tell me that nobody has a prescription for a cup of joe, I think this Paladone Prescription Coffee Mug proves otherwise. The good news is you don’t need to visit the pharmacy just to fill this prescription. There are even detailed directions for consuming caffeine on the side of the mug, which only adds to the cool design.

Granted, the directions say only one cup, but I’d call that more of a suggestion than anything. Plus, since it holds 17.5 ounces (520 milliliters), this mug certainly fits more than one dose of coffee at a time.

Health insurance may not cover this one, but at $16.99, I don’t think it’ll break the bank. Speaking of your health, I think most people would agree that there’s no better gift for the doctor, nurse or healthcare worker in your life! I couldn’t think of a better treatment to help you get through early shifts and long hours on your feet.

Just as you wouldn’t put your prescription medicine in the dishwasher, you shouldn’t put this ceramic prescription mug in there either. Fortunately, a little hand washing should make this prescription cup look as good as new.

Viking Stainless Steel Coffee Mug

Some coffee mugs are functional, some are funny, some are unique … and some are just downright intimidating! I think this Viking Stainless Steel Coffee Mug for $14.99 is a perfect example of the latter.

I’ll admit it: this Viking coffee mug is not for everyone. Try to give this to some friends or family members, and the only thing you may get in return is a blank stare. However, for those that like to take their coffee hardcore, this stylish mug will fit right in.

You could also argue this is a great Halloween coffee mug gift. But who says you can’t drink from a skull tankard all year round?

Not only does it feature a 3D skull design, the vivid resin mug includes a stainless steel insert. Some might say that beauty and durability can’t coexist, but I think this coffee mug proves them wrong.

The Viking coffee mug is more than manageable at 12.25 ounces (400 milliliters). To no surprise, you shouldn’t trust this coffee mug in the dishwasher or microwave. I mean, real Vikings didn’t have those appliances, so I can’t fault this unique mug for needing a little extra care!

Abundant Blooms Coffee Mug

So, maybe you’re looking at coffee mug gift ideas for your grandparents. You might feel like Death Star or Viking coffee mugs won’t go over well. In that case, I’d consider checking out this Abundant Blooms coffee mug. I’d call this the coffee mug equivalent of an ugly sweater – or at least something you’d find in your grandparents’ house.

This mug trades pop culture references for a more traditional floral design. It’s reminiscent of plates and dishes from the ’80s and ’90s. Whether your coffee lover appreciates the floral pattern because it’s traditional or because it’s kitschy, you’ve still got a good coffee mug gift idea on your hands.

At $25.09, this is one of the more affordable options on my list. It also holds 16 ounces (473 milliliters), so you can achieve a good caffeine buzz without refilling.

While this mug may look ceramic, it’s actually porcelain. While ceramic is still the more durable choice, porcelain is also considered a non-reactive material. So, when you put drinks inside the mug, the material shouldn’t affect the taste or flavor. I consider that a perk – especially because the taste of plastic or metal doesn’t pair well with my morning cup of Kenya coffee.

Aigori Zombie Coffee Mug

We all know at least one horror movie fanatic, and that’s exactly who this Aigori Zombie Coffee Mug would be perfect for. I’m not sure I could start my morning off with zombie hands and spooky silhouettes, but I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would!

Plus, it serves as a fun little trick for whoever you end up gifting this mug to. While it looks like a plain black coffee cup at first glance, the mug is heat sensitive. As soon as you pour hot coffee into the cup, the black fades away and you’ve got a cool zombie design in its place.

The zombie design encompasses the entire mug, so you won’t be able to miss it, regardless of which side you use. Or, if you’re the horror fanatic in your social circle, I can’t think of a better present to give yourself. When guests come over and ask for coffee, they’ll definitely be in for a surprise.

The mug may have a price tag of $9.99, but freaking out your friends or family? That’s priceless.

Of course, that color changing trick does come with one caveat: this mug isn’t dishwasher or microwave safe. The manufacturer also doesn’t recommend soaking the mug in water either. So, hand washing will be your best bet here.

Burton and Burton Dog Coffee Mug

I’ve already given you some coffee mug gift ideas for cat lovers, but I didn’t forget about dogs. For those that favor loyalty from their furry friends, you may want to consider gifting this Burton and Burton Dog Coffee Mug for $17.99.

Not only do I think most dog lovers will appreciate the cute cartoon canines on the front of this mug, I also think they’ll agree with the sentiment. No matter how rough – or “ruff” – the mornings may get, a cup of coffee in this ceramic mug can only make them better.

Plus, if you’re tired of all the hand washing, you can rest easy knowing this 13 ounce (384 milliliter) cup is dishwasher and microwave safe.

InGwest Changing Color Coffee Mug

Did you think we were done talking about color changing mugs? I hope not, especially seeing as I haven’t gotten to tell you about this InGwest Changing Color Coffee Mug yet. At $14.99, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a coffee mug so accurately capture my mood before (and after) my morning java.

Without any liquid in it, the mug displays a sleeping face. As soon as you add hot coffee, the heat sensitive mug turns blue with a happy face. Not only is this a cool novelty that all coffee lovers will appreciate, it serves a functional purpose too. The color changes back as your coffee cools, so you’ll know when it’s time for a top off.

I’d say just pop it in the microwave, but I’m sure you already know what I’m going to tell you here. The mug isn’t safe for the microwave or the dishwasher. Too bad there isn’t a frowning face for when you have to clean it!

FAB Starpoint Disney Beauty and the Beast Coffee Mug

I’ve searched high and low, and I’ve found one of the best coffee mug gift ideas for Disney lovers! At $16.99, this Beauty and the Beast Coffee Mug is an easily recognizable collectible for any Disney (and coffee) lover.

This mug represents the chipped cup, Chip, from Beauty and the Beast. Of course, there’s no actual chip or indent in the top of your cup. That mark comes from a paint effect, rather than actual damage. So, if you want an authentic look, you’ll need to do it yourself.

Holding only 8 ounces (236 milliliters), the capacity of this mug is smaller than most on this list. While adults may need a few refills, its smaller size could make it the perfect coffee mug gift for kids. I mean, you don’t have to fill it with coffee – tea, milk and even water will work just fine. Regardless of what’s poured into the cup, you’ll be reminded of a Disney classic whenever you use it.

Which Coffee Mug Gift Idea Will You Get?

If there’s one thing a coffee lover will never turn down, it’s a good coffee mug. Whether functional, flashy or reminiscent of a favorite movie, you can’t go wrong with my coffee mug gift ideas. Plus, a coffee mug is a whole lot more affordable than a coffee maker or a super automatic espresso machine!

I’ve done the legwork for you by compiling the list above, but the hardest part is up to you: figuring out which coffee mug will make the best gift for the caffeine addict in your life. Of course, you could always put together a set of seven – one for each day of the week. Just sayin’!

Coffee Mug Gift Ideas FAQ