The Coffee Mug - Just A Cup Or A Statement?

Just one day after the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears made it to Super Bowl XLI, a coffee mug featuring the teams appeared on an Internet auction site.
A coffee mug can come in every color, in different shapes and covered in clever statements, advertisements or promotions such as the one for Super Bowl XLI.
A coffee mug's function is to hold a hot beverage, such as coffee or tea. Usually made of ceramic, a coffee mug will have a handle to protect your hands from the heat radiating from the beverage. But walk through any large office and you will see more than just a coffee mug with a handle.
A coffee mug may have a funny statement such as "I don't do mornings" or "Ask me after I've had my morning coffee."
A coffee mug may be in the shape of an animated character. A Disney-themed coffee mug is a popular item on Internet auction sites.
The shape of a coffee mug may reflect your hobby. A popular coffee mug among men is shaped in the form of a golf bag. Another popular coffee mug is shaped like a fish.
A coffee mug is a popular gift at Christmas and on special occasions. A coffee mug may be part of a gift set. These gift sets may also include gourmet coffees inside the coffee mug.
Advertisers have also recognized the value of having their product name or service printed on a coffee mug. Most specialty advertising firms will offer a coffee mug along with T-shirts, pens and hats. Coffee mugs have advertised everything from restaurants, bars, schools, non-profit agencies and employment services to name a few.
The coffee mug has also played role in politics as many candidates will hand out as many coffee mugs as they will flyers or T-shirts while they are campaigning for office.
A coffee mug that features vintage advertising such as the Campbell Soup coffee mugs sell well on Internet auction sites. That is because many people collect coffee mugs around a certain theme, whether it is a soup company or animated character.
A family's fine china collection almost always includes a coffee mug. The coffee mug will have the china pattern imprinted on the mug. This coffee mug is often a smaller cup than those purchased in gift sets. A coffee mug designed with a fine china pattern is also a collector's item.
You can find a coffee mug at nearly every souvenir shop. Some of these coffee mugs will have a person's name screen-printed onto the cup. Another coffee mug may state the name of the city or state where the mug was purchased. Many people collect coffee mugs from the places they have visited.
Many people need a coffee mug that is less personal and more practical. A travel mug is well-insulated, keeping beverages warm for hours. This type of coffee mug will have a tightly-fitting cap with an opening on top. Most travel mugs fit into a vehicle cup-holder.
It is up to you to decide if you want a practical or personal coffee mug.