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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Where to buy beautiful hand-made mugs?

85 replies

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 00:57

My dc’s partner will be spending Christmas with us for the first time this year. They have a difficult relationship with their own family and have never experienced a ‘family’ Christmas’, iyswim, so I want to make it as special as possible for them and let them know they are a part of our family. (They have been together for just over three years, the relationship is long-distance right now, but they come to stay a few times a year.)

An idea for one of their presents was to buy them their own mug, as everyone else in the family has their own and I just feel it would be another way to make them feel at home and part of the family.

They are an extremely talented artist, very creative and really appreciate beautiful artisan, hand-crafted items. In which case, I thought perhaps a beautiful hand made mug, but having looked at hundreds online this weekend, can’t seem to find the right one.

It’s not easy to describe their style, as they are quite alternative. They are always impeccably turned out and make a lot of their own clothes, some of which include absolutely stunning medieval embroidery or complex knitting or crochet. They wear New Rocks and DM’s style boots and favour chunky leather bags and chunky jewellery. So nothing too delicate like china, I was thinking maybe hand-made pottery with an unusual/interesting glaze? Probably favouring richer colours like plum, black, dark green, burgundy etc. Not too big, as they never seem to finish a full drink. I keep seeing mugs that I would love, but they are all in pastel shades or over-sized.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where I could look please? (Budget is up to £35.00.) I have spent hours on Etsy, but there is so much generic tat to wade through on there these days and the search function is hopelessly non-specific.

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Chazbots · 01/12/2025 10:58

Everyone loves a good mug. 😁

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 10:59

@OverlyFragrant Thank you. I really like the retro vibe of those, but they’re not quite right for this recipient.

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Talipesmum · 01/12/2025 11:05

OP, it’s a really lovely idea, but I strongly suggest you talk to your DC to find out what kind of mug the partner likes. Quite a few people are rather particular about the kind of mug they prefer (obv not everyone but it’s def a Thing), and you could get some really useful pointers if you ask for a couple of photos of the partners fave mugs at home. E.g. I love handmade pottery bowls, vases etc, but I really don’t like drinking out of “chunky” mugs, stoneware, etc - I love fine china ones, def white on the inside, no smaller than 400ml. So if someone gave me a beautiful hand glazed stoneware type mug to be my main mug at their house, I’d be hugely touched, but also secretly wishing I could actually use a totally different one.

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:10

@Arregaithel, That’s a good point. They live abroad at the moment and are leaving a few bits here every time they come, so they can reduce luggage fares by only needing a carry-on bag eventually. I could possibly buy two, so they can take one home and leave one here. It won’t be their only gift either, they will have some smaller items (eg jewellery) they can take home. I’ll ask my dc what they think.

Theose crystalline ceramics are stunning. I definitely think they would appreciate them, but I haven’t found anywhere to buy online yet and suspect they may be significantly over budget. I know a few people who would love them though, including someone with a birthday in January, so I’ll keep looking. Thank you.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:16

@Robertplantgoddess The Ebb and Flow mugs have gone straight onto my shortlist. Thank you.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:19

@Kabloom Thank you. I found the Glosters website just after I posted last night. They’re on my shortlist, but I think I’m holding out for something a bit more unusual/individual.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:24

@pashmina696 Thank you! Not quite what I’m looking for for this recipient, but I found something for my Mum and one of the Snowscape mugs to go on my own list!

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:27

@RosemaryandTruffle Thank you, I wouldn’t have thought to look on the Toast website. Nothing jumped out at first look, but have bookmarked it to have a proper look through later.

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pashmina696 · 01/12/2025 11:35

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:24

@pashmina696 Thank you! Not quite what I’m looking for for this recipient, but I found something for my Mum and one of the Snowscape mugs to go on my own list!

Result none the less! Enjoy! I have seascape - some of mine are 16 years old and none have ever chipped

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:36

@Forgottenmyphone Thank you. I have looked them up. There are a couple of options on their site, but they ones I think they’d like the most have dark interiors. I’m still mulling over whether to avoid a dark interior. I personally don’t like drinking out them and I think that’s a fairly common opinion. I’ve added them to the shortlist while I think about it.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:40

@Billybagpuss Thank you. I personally like the Sea Shore mugs, but none of them feel right for this recipient.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:44

@NutellasKitchen Thank you. I do know someone who would absolutely love those, but I think this recipient would appreciate a bit more colour, with a mix of deep tones. I have bookmarked them to keep an eye on for my friend though.

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Moonlightfrog · 01/12/2025 11:45

Surely it’s not worth spending a fortune on a mug that is to be used at yours? Or will they be taking it with them when they go back home?

Etsy is good for handmade pottery.

I follow a few people on Instagram that make pottery, pretty sure they a
l sell on Etsy.

Also charity shops are great for finding quirky mugs.

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:49

@Telemichus Thank you. Nothing jumped out at me on my first look, but I have bookmarked the website to go through again later.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:52

@SleafordSods @Diplidocus4 and @Blondeissimo Thank you. Glosters is on the shortlist.

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:55

@Christmaslogistics Thank you for the idea and your kind words. Unfortunately I have a hand injury right now, typing with my just left hand is proving tricky, so I dread to think what a mug made by me would turn out like! 😆

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ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 11:58

@LadyGreyandlemoncurd Thank you. I had missed that shop on Etsy. I love the beautiful rich colours in their ceramics, but am still thinking about whether I should avoid a dark interior. I’ve added them to the shortlist while I mull it over.

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OverlyFragrant · 01/12/2025 11:58

I love this thread and many, many suggestions are tempting me. I don't need any more mugs but I want them!

shellyleppard · 01/12/2025 12:03

Check out a lovely lady called fat poppy cat. She's selling some handmade pottery mugs, really unique patterns

Fasterthan40 · 01/12/2025 12:04

I bought my SiL a mug from HKA Ceramics on Etsy. I had discussed how I wanted it personalised. It wasn’t quite right (wording outside so whole mug wasn’t uniform) and she sent me a whole new perfect one (with hidden wording inside at bottom of mug) for free. I was really impressed, sister in law loves both of them

Wheel-thrown ceramics handmade in Hampshire

Handmade ceramics made in Hampshire, UK. Functional homeware and gifts. Personalised gifts.

https://hkaceramics.com/

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 12:06

@FiloPasty Thank you. I really liked two of the Super Nova mugs, but they are sold out and it’s too late for a custom order. I will definitely bookmark them for the future though.

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Gobolino80 · 01/12/2025 12:08

I have lot of pieces made by Charlotte Manser, they are all beautiful
https://www.charlottemanserceramics.com/

Charlotte Manser Ceramics

Charlotte Manser Ceramics

https://www.charlottemanserceramics.com/

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 12:09

@Nicemugsmrs Thank you. Lovely fun designs, sadly not right for this recipient.

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FiloPasty · 01/12/2025 12:09

ClydeBay · 01/12/2025 12:06

@FiloPasty Thank you. I really liked two of the Super Nova mugs, but they are sold out and it’s too late for a custom order. I will definitely bookmark them for the future though.

I think this time of year she will be out at all the Xmas markets, you can message her on insta as I’m sure she’s got more just not updated on the website.