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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want mismatched mugs?

426 replies

Cloudyyy · 23/08/2019 22:58

Just a lighthearted one really, but why would people buy random mugs as gifts? I can’t undertand wanting a mug bag doesn’t match anything else. All of my crockery must match. Are other people hoarding mismatched mugs and cups at home?? Are people doing this on purpose? Also cushions! Why would someone buy a random cushion for someone’s house that doesn’t match anything else? This happens all the time in my friendship group. Shouldn’t cushions match the sofa exactly? Can’t stand it!!! AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Esto · 24/08/2019 06:46

People like what they like, fair enough that's fine but you seem to be puzzled about something that is actually the norm!

edsheeranpaidmoretaxthanccola · 24/08/2019 06:46

It bugs me too but would be wasteful to throw them out - so they shall remain

Tink1990 · 24/08/2019 06:55

Wow, just checked out Emma Bridgwater mugs as they were mentioned a fews times and the starting price was £20! Wow. misses point of thread entirely

daisychain01 · 24/08/2019 06:58

About 3 years ago M&S did a lovely range of mugs, all the same shape but lots of different designs. So I think they are mis-matching matching mugs Grin

We loved the shape, size and designs so much I ended up ordering several of each design, so we now have 9 in the cupboard for everyday use and some put away to replace when we have the occasional breakage.

I’m not ashamed to admit I have a mug tree with “show mugs” , they match the colour of the kettle, toaster and microwave, they are not to be used, they are just for aesthetic purposes

See, DH laughs at me for doing stuff like that- especially cushions - he thinks it's definitely a 'woman thing' to have cushions on the bed when we take them off at bedtime, put them back in the morning and never actually use them. But it's aesthetics!!!

daisychain01 · 24/08/2019 07:01

Odd numbers are good. 3 x 3 is very pleasing in the cupboard.

And I can easily tell if there's an errant mug in another room!

DDIJ · 24/08/2019 07:04

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

CassianAndor · 24/08/2019 07:06

I love mugs and like to buy them whenever a nice one catches my eye. At the mo I have about 20 different mugs in my cupboard, but have probably had, over the years, about 50 different ones. Several are used as pen pots (I have a pen pot in every room (important to have immediate access to a pen should the answer to a crossword clue suddenly strike you).

I can’t get round the mentality of never being able to buy something you really like on the basis that it doesn’t match everything else. That’s not being materialistic.

And should your tastes change, as they do over time, do you get rid of entire sets?

dudsville · 24/08/2019 07:09

Why don't those close to you know this about you? For something that matters to ne I'd expect those close to me to know.

dudsville · 24/08/2019 07:10

By which I meant to say, therefore you are not being unreasonable.

Tonnerre · 24/08/2019 07:14

So if you break a couple of mugs and can't find matching replacements, what do you do, OP? Does the entire crockery set have to be replaced?

notso · 24/08/2019 07:46

Wow, just checked out Emma Bridgwater mugs as they were mentioned a fews times and the starting price was £20! Wow
Yes and they are horrible to use IMO, far too chunky and the handle doesn't feel right.

welliesarefuntowear · 24/08/2019 07:56

Mismatched mugs are great for when your dc are teenagers because there is always a random collection of mugs in their bedrooms. I've tried to have matching mugs but failed. I had some nice ones with beach scenes on that I bought from Sainsbury's. A couple of them broke but the mug that has a slogan on from the local electrical trade counter appears to be indestructible Hmm

AuntieMarys · 24/08/2019 08:03

Nothing matches here! Crockery or mugs. However they are all meaningful....bought for a reason. I got a massive Denby dinner service for my first wedding and loathed it. Managed to smash all of it by the time I was divorced.

soreknees · 24/08/2019 08:05

I’m with you OP! To me, this stuff should match. As should bedding etc in bedrooms (as in the bedding match the decor). I just like things to match/compliment but can totally understand other people preferring a mish mash

SavoyCabbage · 24/08/2019 08:18

I'd love to see your perfect mugs @Cloudyyy. I'd also like to know how many you've got and what you would do it you needed more and you couldn't get any.

'What cup do you want?' is a big part of my extended family life. Small crowds will gather at the cupboard as people bustle round to choose. Then exclamations as people 'can't believe you are having the tree cup'.

I've got two almost matching 'Charles and Camilla's wedding' cups. On with the wrong date on it because they had to change it when the Pope died. That's the extent of my matching cups.

practicallyperfectwithprosecco · 24/08/2019 08:18

Mugs are the only thing that don't match here, like a pp I have a mug tree with a set that matches our dinner set on display in kitchen and they are used sometimes, or if visitors come round. But generally we all have favourite mugs in the cupboard.

I am guilty of having a matchy house but it was something I really wanted growing up. My mum had mh issues and our house would have turned into one of those horder homes if me and my siblings didn't keep her in check. I envied my aunts' lovely matching and tidy homes.

I'm one of 5 and everyone single one of us has what one of my dds calls instagram homes. Everything is colour coordinated and matches.
Well the stuff you can see, 3 kids means we have lots of storage which hid the chaos when they went to bed! During the day it was a messy family home after bedtime it was a grown up home.

Older children now so less toys and no baby paraphernalia but if ds is having friends round then house couldn't look further from the show home. It's definitely not soulless, the kids have fun, mess gets made then tidied away.

DurhamDurham · 24/08/2019 08:26

Plates have to match, I couldn't serve dinner on mismatched crockery, even if it's just me and husband eating. It wouldn't feel right.

But mugs do not and should not match. I have two mugs that I always have my morning coffee in, another one for my peppermint tea on an evening.
Other mugs are ranked according to how much I like them. Some mugs have languished in the cupboard for so long I should really re-home them.

Mrsgogginsthe3rd · 24/08/2019 08:35

I don’t think it’s too bonkers, i think there needs to be a theme though, I have mismatched Emma Bridgewater mugs which I love! I like adding to it if I spot a shop selling them if I’m away somewhere. My Mum has mismatched Denby (always has) but there’s always a colour scheme. I like a nice matching tea service though. I think buying of random mugs is annoying tho, my MIL does this (despite living in a town with a bloody Emma Bridgewater shop and knowing I collect it?!?) I just take them to work. Cushions agree - don’t have to match but there needs to be a theme!

Ginnymweasley · 24/08/2019 08:41

I just have lots of different mugs, some we have bought and some that have been bought for us. None of them match but they all are personal to us in someway, whether they have a logo for a favourite tv show on or have been bought on a holiday etc. I don't know anyone with matching mugs. My dad still insists on making me drinks in a mug he bought me as a teenager cause "that's your mug". When all your mugs match what happens when you break one or two and they have been discontinued? Do you buy a whole new set?

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 24/08/2019 08:41

I take them into work if gifted them as like matching items too. We are quite minimal though and and I hate clutter.

katewhinesalot · 24/08/2019 08:41

It's fashionable now to be less matchy. Maybe there is an age divide on here.

BillyAndTheSillies · 24/08/2019 08:42

I used to have mismatched mugs on display but refurbished the kitchen and bought a set of matching Le Creuset mugs and espresso cups. Along with all new glassware as an upgrade for the 8 year old Ikea tumblers that had gone cloudy.

Then turned 30 and loads of people bought me mugs. They're in a drawer. Some went to work and some stayed at home for when I have a black coffee as they're thinner.

The struggle is, I actually really love buying mugs. Just don't necessarily like mismatched ones on display

666onmyhead · 24/08/2019 08:47

I have loads of mugs. Initially they all matched and were very neat, but then they seemed to multiply and reproduce, some with slogans or funny images on. No idea where they all came from? Possibly the same place all the wired slogan socks come from too ? I'm tempted to have a cull, but feel my other housemates may feel this is a tad excessive. They seem to have befriended these mugs ( and socks ) so it looks like I'm just going to have to suck it up and live with the chaos!

Gazelda · 24/08/2019 08:48

My fave mug is one that my friend gifted me. I think of her every time I have a cuppa.
And there's the mug that is reserved for the window cleaner.
And the mugs my DD has bought for me whole on holiday (we always happen to be on holiday on my birthday).
And the 'best mum' chunky mug that I received on my first Mother's Day.
Some of them are hideous, but all are loved.

Backtosxhool · 24/08/2019 08:50

YANBU I’m with you OP, I like to have sets of at least 4. I can’t stand mugs with Easter eggs on them or Christmas slogans or any other slogans. I also hate thick cheap ones, tea and coffee always tastes better out of thinner china mugs. But I also hate plain white mugs...nothing screams rental more than cheap white mugs 🤢