If you’re gifting a travel mug to someone, and are unsure if it seems too bland, you can try to make it personalized by printing the recipient’s favorite imagery on it, or a nice quotation alluding to the occasion.
Buying a travel mug does seem like a breeze, doesn’t it? I mean, how complicated can it really get? It’s just a mug, after all.
True, if you look at it in a certain manner. But if you happen to be someone who treats his on-the-go morning beverage as sacrosanct, you’d want to pay close attention to what’s about to follow.
#1. Go for steel.
Choosing a mug in the right material is something that you should prioritize. Travel mugs come in plastic or steel variants, with the latter being preferred for its numerous positives. Stainless steel is sturdier than plastic, which makes it an excellent component for a travel mug, as it can withstand all the falls and bumps it may encounter.
Also, steel offers better induction than plastic, that is, it helps keep your beverage warm or cold for at least up to an hour. Another downside for plastic is that over time, it tends to absorb the smell and stains of the liquid it stores, no matter how well you clean it.
Certainly, such a mug is not a welcome companion in the mornings. Although plastic works out to be cheaper when compared to stainless steel, opting for the latter will prove to be a good investment in the long run. If for some reason you do have to buy a plastic mug, do pick one that has a steel lining inside.
#2. Look for easy portability.
If you carry your beverage while driving, check the size of the cup holder in your car, and measure the dimensions before you make a purchase. If not, you’d be advised to pick a mug that has a wide base so that it’s not prone to toppling over.
Also, look out for an anti-skid base or a rubber grip at the bottom to minimize the number of falls to the max. Yes, this may seem a bit too much, but wait till you have a situation of a pet prone to jumping on to your desk at inopportune moments, or a colleague who just has to flay his arms while he chats with you, perched on your desk.
#3. Choose the right lid.
Yes, we’re now on to the most fascinating aspect of making the right purchase―choosing the right lid. Again, we’re here to make your conundrum lighter by telling you to opt for a screw-on lid. It won’t come off as easily even if you drop your mug, as opposed to the one that snaps open and shut. The beverage hole also comes in variants like sliders and snap lids, but it’s too personal a decision for us to make, so this is one aspect that we’re leaving in your good hands.
#4. Yes, the size does matter.
Obviously, you know how big or small your mug ought to be. Heavy drinkers, go for the tumbler-sized 16 or 20 oz. one, whereas moderate fellas can pick smaller variants that come in a capacity of 8 oz.
#5. Let it make a statement.
Additionally, there are lots of other choices to make, if you wish your mug to speak for you. It doesn’t matter where you buy it; either online or at the store, you can always have your travel mug personalized. Narcissists may want to have their own picture plastered across it, whereas fashionistas may want Anna Wintour’s face to grace it.
Others may want a quirky or inspiring message to motivate them in the mornings, while others still may want to print a snide remark aimed at the flapper-armed colleague we mentioned earlier. Keeping it plain works just fine for some too.
Whew! Never imagined there would be these many things to consider before buying a travel mug. But now that you do, it’s going to take a lot to actually pick the wrong one. Happy shopping!
