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Creative Coffee Mug Gift Ideas To Make Your Friends and Family Feel Extra Special

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Now that we’re knee deep into November, the countdown to Christmas is officially on! You’ve been making your list and checking it twice. Maybe you’re even feeling a little overwhelmed by all the gifts you have to buy. The gift-giving part of the season doesn’t have to be stressful, though. Today we’re sharing several thoughtful and budget-friendly gift ideas that all come in a mug. Yes, that’s right! You can tackle that list one cup of cheer at a time–or in this case one mug of cheer at a time–with these simple Mug Gift Ideas.

Creative Coffee Mug Gift Ideas

Hi, I’m Jennifer Dawn, a mother of three young children, a contributor here at 5 Minutes for Mom, and the blogger behind The Life of Jennifer Dawn. As an avid tea and coffee drinker, I’m also a big fan of cute mugs like the ones from Glacelis. They specialize in unique personalized mugs that make a perfect gift for any occasion like the Gift for Girlfriend Mug shown in this post.

hot chocolate gift

A BIG thank you goes out to Glacelis for sponsoring this post and to you for reading and sharing. We’re so excited to be sharing one of their bestselling products right along with these fun mug gift ideas!

I love gifts that are simple and thoughtful. My dad used to say that if a gift is something you’d love to receive yourself, then it’s a great gift. That seems like such a basic philosophy, but it’s one I try to follow with each gift I give. “Is this something I’d like to receive?” For these sweet and simple mug gift ideas, the answer is a definitive yes! I’m sure friends, family, co-workers, teachers, and others on your list will feel the same way! Ready to start tackling that gift list? With these ideas, you’ll be done in a jiffy!

Here are 9 creative ways to give mugs as thoughtful gifts…

1. For the Coffee Lover

Place a few wooden stir sticks along with a favorite brew into a mug to put together a simple gift for the coffee lover you know. Shredded paper tucked in around the mug’s contents makes the whole thing look even nicer. You could also add some chocolate covered coffee beans.


2. For the Tea Drinker

Add tea biscuits, tea bags, and sugar into a mug for that friend or family member who enjoys tea over coffee. A mug filled with tea bags, fresh lemon, and honey even makes a thoughtful gift for a friend who is under the weather. They could certainly use a cup of cheer!

tea mug

3. For the Hot Cocoa Drinker

Here’s a fun idea! Layer hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and marshmallows into a treat bag. Tie the bag with string and place it into a mug. Be sure to include instructions for how much warm water or milk to add to the mix. Need a gift for an entire family? Place a whole collection of mugs along with the hot cocoa mix into a basket for a family to enjoy some special moments over steaming mugs of hot cocoa. It’s a gift that will certainly be appreciated during the cold winter months.

hot cocoa gift mug

4. For the Chocolate Aficionado

Here’s a simple idea! Place a treat bag of chocolates into a mug. Want to use something other than chocolate? The recipient’s favorite candy is a great option too! Give the gift a nostalgic touch with candy that was their favorite as a child.

glacelis mug

5. For the Crafter

Yarn and knitting needles! A cross-stitch kit! Scrapbooking supplies! Pens for hand lettering! Watercolors! The possibilities are endless for this fun mug gift idea. Fill a mug with crafty items for that creative individual you know and love. You could even include a gift card to their favorite craft store.

knitting gift idea

6. For the Planner

Put a small planner, notepad, Washi tape, and pens into a mug for a gift that helps the recipient get their mornings off to a productive start. With this gift idea, you’re even giving them a vessel to pour their coffee into.

planner gift idea

7. For the Baker

Know someone who loves to bake and/or cook? Fill a mug with baker’s twine, spatulas, small cookbooks, and kitchen gadgets. It’s a practical gift that has an adorable presentation.

gift for someone who likes to bake

8. For Anyone with a Sweet Tooth

Are you the one who loves to bake? Here’s the perfect gift idea for you to whip up! Make cookies, croissants, cakes, or brownies to package and place into a mug. The recipient will love enjoying that mug filled with tea or coffee right along with your baked goods.

gift idea with baked goods

9. For the Shopper

This is the simplest of them all! Package together a holiday card, shopping gift card, and mug with paper shreds, clear wrapping, and string. It’s a gift that’s sure to please since the recipient can pick out exactly what they need or want with the gift card. Don’t forget the gift tag.

printable gift tags for mugs

Free Printable Gift Tags

Oh, and speaking of gift tags…I have a little surprise for you. It’s a set of printable gift tags that are perfect to pair with mugs. Print them out. Punch a hole in the top of each one. Then attach the gift tags to mugs with pieces of twine or string. Yes, it’s truly that easy to pull together a beautiful and thoughtful gift!

Click Here to Download the Free Printable Gift Tag…

printable gift tag

 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributor Jennifer Dawn. Jenn blogs about living a beautiful and creative life at The Life of Jennifer Dawn.

More Christmas Gift Ideas

We think unique gifts are the best… so get inspired with all these fabulously special gift ideas.

Holiday Gift Guide for Everyone

We’ve divided our Holiday Gift Guide into four main sections…

 

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184 Comments

  3. Thank you so much for sharing these cool ideas! I think I’ll go for a coffee mug with a treat bag full of cookies. It’s the best!

    Reply

  4. I like so many of these ideas: the shopper, the chocolate aficionado, the sweet tooth, the baker, the coffee drinker and hot chocolate drinker all apply to me. I’ve given many filled mugs as gifts over the years.

    Reply

  7. I like the coffee mug with the baked goods in them because I love baking and I think this is a cute idea! I have actually done this idea who doesn’t like a baked good!

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  10. I love the sweet tooth or tea mugs. Yes I change up every couple years and I have used mugs but these are so more elaborate.THANK YOU

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  11. I love the chocolate idea! I have given a gift of a mug with the mix for my favorite microwave mug cake recipe.

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  12. I love For the Sweet Tooth! Such a great idea and so many things could complete that. I’ve never really done anything creative with mugs but now I might.

    Reply

  13. These are all such great ideas. I never would have thought of using mugs in these ways for gifts. I especially like the tea lover’s mug because I love tea. I also think it would make a great gift for my mom.

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  16. I like the Chocolate Aficionado idea. Who doesn’t like chocolate?! I have not given a coffee mug filled with a gift before.

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  18. I love the crafty mug idea! I have done a mug with different cocoa mixes and chocolate before, I personally am always a fan of mugs and chocolate!

    Reply

  19. I like the mug for the hot cocoa drinker. I have filled cups before with coffee samples and hot cocoa packets.

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  20. Love the gift for Anyone with a Sweet Tooth idea. I’ve given mugs filled with gifts on many occasions. Lots of variations you can do for that special person in your life.

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  23. I really like the For the Chocolate Aficionado. I have used mugs as gifts filled with candy, hot chocolate packets or instant coffee packets.

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  27. I love all the mug gift ideas, but my faves are the hot cocoa, and tea mugs. Yes I have given away coffee mugs with items tucked inside as gifts. Thanks for the chance. 🙂

    Reply

  28. I like the Chocolate Aficionado idea. I have not given a filled mug as a gift, but looking at these, I think it is a thoughtful, personalized idea!

    Reply

  32. Since I love chocolate, my fave is the one “For the Chocolate Aficionado”. And my hubby collects mugs, so when I gift him one I like to put something “special” in it. Thanks and God Bless!

    Reply

  34. I like the Cup for the Chocolate Aficionado. I have given Mugs but have not filled them-which I realize i should have done.

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  37. I like the baker mug. It’s sweet and useful. I did give mugs out last year with homemade marshmallows and hot chocolate, but they weren’t as nice as these.

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  38. I really like the hot chocolate mug. I have given mugs as gifts before with candies and chocolate in them or a gift card in it

    Reply

  39. I like the planner idea. I think with a few swaps, this would be a great idea for a teacher. A couple of pens, a notepad, some reward stickers, a small candle or wax melt, and a small snack– you could even put it together in a water bottle or a tumbler instead of a coffee cup.

    Reply

  42. I like the kitchen gadgets and the hot cocoa and marshmallows idea. I have done the mugs before with chocolate kisses and book store gift card for teachers.

    Reply

  48. My favorite is the Chocolate lover’s mug! I have been given a cute mug. with packets of several different flavors of coffee. Loved it!

    Reply

  51. I’ve given mugs filled with nuts and chocolates before — it’s a nice gift. I like the Chocolate Aficionado mug the best.

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  52. I love the chocolate filled idea, but I have never been given a mug filled with anything. I have given hot cocoa mugs before.

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  57. #4 For the Chocolate Aficionado is the coffee mug gift ideas you like the most.
    Yes, I have given a coffee mug filled with a gift of something special

    Reply

  58. I would get a long distance friendship mug for my friend that I haven’t seen in a few years. I love the idea of filling it with goodies they would like. Who doesn’t like a treat with their tea or coffee?! Such an awesome gift idea!

    Reply

  61. My favorite is the Chocolate Aficianado mug. I usually make a photo mug and put chocolates in it every year for my mom.

    Reply

  62. My daughter is a big fan of hot cocoa especially after being outside on a cold New England afternoon-so I really like the hot cocoa gift idea. Once we gave her teacher a coffee cup filled with pencils, supplies etc…

    Reply

  63. I love the “You’re my person” mug. I have been watching grey’s anatomy and nearly squealed when I saw the mug!
    I like the crafter idea, That would be the perfect gift for a certain friend.

    Reply

  64. I love the idea of a coffee mug with cookies inside! That would make a wonderful gift for anyone. I have never given a mug gift before.

    Reply

  68. I love and collect coffee mugs and i like to give them as gifts too. They have some super cute ones and the personalized best friends mug would be perfect for my bestie.

    Reply

  70. id love to have the one with names of my self and my best friend,,and yes i have recived a cup with candy in it before

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  74. My sister is a big tea drinker so the cup For the Tea Drinker would be a great one for her. I really like the picture on that mug too. I have given mugs with hot chocolate mix or teas in them before, normally at gift exchanges or to co-workers.

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  80. My husband is a big coffee drinker. I would pick that one. Yes. I have received cups with different items in them.

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  83. I think the presentation of the ‘For the Crafter’ mug is really cute. I would gift the chocolate lover idea one.

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  84. I like the mug idea filled with everything you need for some good hot cocoa. I’m ready for some hot cocoa myself!

    Reply

  88. I like the for the tea drinker mug the best. I have never given a mug gift st before but now I need to, it looks so easy and cute.

    Reply

  90. I most like the mug for the baker. I really enjoy baking and would love to receive something like that! I’ve never received a mug filled with a gift but love the idea!

    Reply

  91. These mugs are so cute!!

    I love the sweet tooth mug idea and would fill it with shortbread cookies for my mom. I have never given a coffee mug gift basket before.

    Great idea 🙂

    Reply

  92. I like the mug for anyone who has a sweet tooth . Yes, I have give chocolates in a Christmas mug . I think it’s a wonderful idea.

    Reply

  99. I like the the Hot Cocoa Drinker Coffee Mug Idea the best. I have done Coffee Mug gifts in the past. My favorite was Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans with a Starbucks gift card in the Mug.

    Reply

  103. They are all cute ideas, but I love the to do list. That would be a great pick for me. I would love to put together hot cocoa mugs for gifts.

    Reply

  110. I loved the “You’re my favorite person ” mug – I haven’t ever given mugs of stuff but I’ve made my own body scrubs and given them out. It’s a wonderful and thoughtful gift!

    Reply

  114. I love the idea of “For the planner”! I have never given a coffee mug filled with gifts but after seeing all these ideas I will this year!

    Reply

  115. I love the For the Hot Cocoa Drinker gift. I think it’s a great idea! I’ve never gifted something like that in a mug before.

    Reply

  116. I love the tea drinker mug because my best friend and I used to craft together and drink tea when we were roommates. She was blond and I was brunette and we loved our time together. I haven’t seen her in 3 years and she’s coming to visit me next month. I’d love to gift it to her!

    Reply

  118. I like the mug for the Baker! That would be something that would make me very happy to open. I love giving mugs filled with goodies as gifts! Thanks.

    Reply

  127. I love the idea for tea drinkers! I gave a mug filled with similar goodies for my mom last year and she loved it!

    Reply

  133. I like the For the Chocolate Aficionado gift idea. I haven’t given any gifts like this before but it’s a great idea.

    Reply

  137. I love the mug with the gift card. I’ve given these types of gifts alot and I love to receive them also! ♡

    Reply

  138. I like the Sweet tooth set. I have never given a gift like this but I will after seeing how cool this is, Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  144. I like the For The Anyone With a Sweet Tooth one. I have never given a gift like this before but I might this year!

    Reply

  145. I love the “you’re my person” mug. It’s so cute. I’ve never gifted a mug with stuff inside but I think it’s a great idea!

    Reply

  149. For the tea or chocolate lover!! I would give it to my mom ! I Don’t recall ever giving a gift similar to this one.

    Reply

  152. I like the mug filled with chocolates. I used to give gifts like this when I was little. It would make a cute teacher gift.

    Reply

  153. I like the chocolate aficionado gift idea. I think mugs are great for teacher gifts or other gifts that are for people you don’t know super well. They are also good stocking stuffers.

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  154. I like the Sweet Tooth gift idea. My Dad is a big coffee drinker, and also likes his chocolate. So I’m definitely going to go for that idea when I’m shopping for him this year.

    Reply

  157. I love the one for coffee lovers because I am one myself! I have never received a mug like this, but I would love to. These are so adorable.. great post! 🙂

    Reply

  159. I really love the Chocolate Aficionado mug – what a great gift idea. I have never given a gift like this but definitely will in the future.

    Reply

  161. I love the sweet tooth one, perhaps because I am such a sweet tooth! I have given mugs away as gifts before but hadn’t thought to FILL them! Great holiday idea.

    Reply

  162. I love all of your ideas, but my favorite one is For The Planner. I have given coffee mugs with homemade instant coffee mixes, with hot cocoa packets, with chocolate covered spoons and coffee, and with teas. I never thought to do them for crafters, filled with chocolates (although I’ve added chocolates to the other items), or for bakers. Fun inspiration!

    Reply

  163. I like the one For Anyone with a Sweet Tooth and I’ve ever given a coffee mug filled with a gift of something special

    Reply

  166. I love the yarn and knitting needles idea! Such a perfect pairing with the mug. I’ve given the kids mugs filled with hot chocolate packets in their stockings.

    Reply

  169. I LOVE the “You’re my person mug”, I love the addition of delectable hot chocolate!! Something a little above the average Swiss Miss!

    Reply

  170. I love the baker idea! I’ve made up baskets/bowls to gift but never a mug, I have received a few over the years though!

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  171. I love the Hot cocoa idea. Also the chocolate lover one is great. I never gave a coffee mug gift before, but I love this idea.

    Reply

  172. I love the “For a sweet tooth” idea (though every idea is wonderful!) – I haven’t given a mug but I have a ton of ideas now 🙂

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  176. The mugs are all beautiful and creative. I love the tea one since I am a tea drinker. I have never seen a mug devoted to teas which is lovely.

    Reply

  179. I like 4. For the Chocolate Aficionado. I’ve never given a coffee mug filed with anything, but those are some cute ideas.

    Reply