Mugs are sturdy, solid, reliable, and big. Trust me - I've done the research. Way back when, I actually had an entire kitchen cabinet dedicated to my addiction. (In those days, it was an affordable habit.) Everyone knew I collected, so any holiday was an occasion to find the silliest or sweetest (thank you, girlfriends!) sentiments on the market.

My favorite mug, hands down, was from the long-distance company where I worked. What made it special was the handle - shaped like a little blue telephone handset. The cutest thing I've seen - or owned - before or since.

(It was not, however, good for reheating! Something in the paint on that adorable handle made molten ceramic when combined with microwaves.)

These days, our mugs are great big, wonderful dollar-store finds - big, round, clear, with concave circles all around so these big, heavy coffee urns don't slip out of your hands. Did I mention they are big?! We have a 12-cup coffeemaker and filling 2 of these mugs puts a serious dent in the contents of the pot. Love it!

The cute little cups that came with my new dishes? They're in a drawer ... somewhere.