I know, I know… Consumerism, not shopping like a local or experiencing local cafés… Why do you think this article has the word ‘shame’ in it?? Let’s dive right into my shameless obsession with Starbucks mugs.
I can’t remember the very first Starbucks mug we purchased… It was a You Are Here, but whether it was Amsterdam (Amazon affiliate link – yes, you can buy them on Amazon, but they’re more expensive than in person… if you can find them) or some other European location, I’m not sure.
I do remember this:
1) I did not like the old Starbucks mugs, the kind of tea-stained washed-out things that just made me think of adults. Eww.
2) As soon as I saw the new style with bright and colourful shapes… it took me a moment but it was definitely more up my street.
I know what you’re thinking: why would I, a supposedly sensible adult, want to buy into a cult-ish collection? Well… I’ve narrowed it down… Quite simply, when I’m sitting at my computer trying to get some work done, I look at the mug in my hand and it reminds me of when we were there. It’s something I can have that’s consistent, that I know I have a use for, and that will bring be joy for years to come.
Yes, we’ll need to put up another shelf when we get home to put them on, but that’s a small price to pay. I already know where the shelf is going.
Did I mention they stack together? They stack together. My mum is less than impressed.
Things you need to know if you too want to embark on this journey:
- There are ornament mugs (2oz) and the drink-sized 14fl oz ones. If you decide you like the decor but don’t want to visit the location, make sure you know which one you’re getting! The two sizes normally have the same pictures, but the smaller ones have less images.
- Both sizes are dishwasher and microwave safe. You can use the smaller ones for dipping, and they come with a ribbon for hanging on things… If you’re that mad about Starbucks.
- The big ones are quite weighty – with a drink in them, they might be too heavy for some people
- In terms of quality issues, the only one we’ve noticed is (ironically) our Oxford one. It formed a crack down the handle and is now sitting at the top of a cupboard at home. We haven’t approached Starbucks help yet, but I’d surprisingly be erring on the side of confidence that they’d be good about it and maybe even help us with a replacement (when we’re back home).
- Each mug costs around $15 each if you buy from a Starbucks shop – you can see how much ones sold online are going for a premium!!! But, when you compare travel and time… It’s understandable.
- If you’re on the OCD-side (hello), you should be aware that there are sometimes shortages, and not every store has every type of mug.
Top tip – because we’re aware of the amount of luggage we have while being away from home, we started collecting the smaller mugs for a while. These were a lot harder to get a hold of, but if you’re collecting the US mugs, Starbucks within Targets are a good place to start. Calling ahead is also useful if you want to avoid disappointment!
More resources:
If you want a full list, the Starbucks Mugs website has been a really useful resource. I don’t think it’s actually run by Starbucks, but it’s pretty darn comprehensive. The only downside is that it makes me want to go more places and buy more mugs… Hello Yorkshire.
So, hopefully you’ll stop judging me for my shameless obsession with Starbucks mugs. Sorry if I’ve persuaded you to join the clan.
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