Idk, I only ever use the stainless travel mugs (like Yeti, but cheaper) because they keep my coffee warm for the 3 hours I’m usually drinking it. And they don’t break.
But I might be tempted to try going to after-Xmas sales and snagging one of those hot chocolate/tea gift sets that have, like, a mug, a hot chocolate packet, some candies. I find them before Xmas at Costco and the like for around $15. After, ought to be half off.
I have so many mugs my kids complain. I enjoy my mug collection, though. Most of them are from some event or some place. (Lots of mugs commemorating the local spelling bee, and ARML, for instance. Some from square dance events. Some from trips. Some from my mom. Some were gifts.)
The last mug I bought was a pretty hand-made thing and I may have paid $30 or so for it. But I’m sure you can get a plain ceramic mug for under $10.
Someone gave me a couple of these mugs, which it turned out I loved so much I’ve started collecting them. They’re really pricey, whether shipped from Germany or bought used on eBay from within the U.S. ($25/$30 or so) but no other mug will do for me anymore. It’s the delicate thinness of the lip, which makes all other mugs feel like I’m just mashing my head into them; and the fact they’re real properly glazed china, which means they go in the dishwasher and the design never fades.
Yeah, I had a coffee cup with the picture of a cute bear on it with the words: What’s Bruin? I got it at the (guess which) student store a billion years ago. When it got a small chip and crack, I converted it to a pen/pencil holder.
Hell, PM me your address and I’ll send you a couple of the dozens of mugs I have around here, never used. Coffee mugs have been the go-to teacher gift for decades, and I don’t drink coffee. (I use a 40 oz. Stanley insulated mug for my iced tea every day.)
Thrift shops, garage sales and the like are where to find mugs cheap.
Thanks for the offer but I don’t need a mug, I just looked into buying myself one and was shocked at the price.
I have a set of these from Williams-Sonoma:
(sorry for the small image size, check the link for better)
Which are 22oz (!) mugs. They are 4 for $34.95 US, although when I bought them they were less and I bought them at a 25% off sale. Not that you need 4.
I like them for various topped drinks. So an indulgent 12-16oz hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, or other specialty drinks. And they’re a nice, plain white with no logos at a reasonable price. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could buy singles in-store as well, assuming you had one nearby.
But honestly, for your stated needs, you’re better off shopping ARC / Thrift / Etc and finding something uniquely suited to your needs.
But if you need BIG mugs for some reason, these work really well.
I have/had a coffee mug collection… mostly advertizing related… I had over 300 but when i moved I got rid of about 200 so net I know have ~100+/-
I have NEVER paid more that $.25 (25 cents) for one…
I do have some that were gifted to me that I suspect cost a bit more.
Two of my most cherished are a simple Grateful Dead Stealie and a “Frank O’pinion AM in the PM”
I have been to a coffee shop like that… Great idea!!!