Happy Holidays From HTFC!

This was a thoughtful gift from a good friend. I always use it when I treat myself to one of my favourite treats vanilla ice cream sprinkled with lots of Milo, a chocolate-flavoured malted powder.

Thank you for your email. I’m currently away from the office on a European adventure returning in the New Year, but I found this cool little number at a Christmas market in Brno, Czechia!

This small, red "Warld Park" mug may be the worst, but it’s my favorite—it was my son's first Christmas gift, bought with his allowance, and while I’ll never drink an espresso martini from it (probably lead paint), I’ll never throw it out.

Click here for Carolyn's recipe.

This one-of-a-kind mug by local artist Alan Lacovetsky is the perfect size for my hand and ideal for both hot and cold drinks like mint tea with a splash of milk and sugar.

As a loyal Jets fan (but not an avid coffee drinker), this trusty Jets cup of unknown origin has kept me hydrated at the office for over ten years—Go Jets Go!

I bought this ceramic mug over 20 years ago in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Designed by a local artist, I love its hand-crafted graphics and square base. It brings back memories of family adventures in this Caribbean village, including deep-sea fishing with my dad.

My mug, a holiday gift from signage consultant Helena Koop, is constantly warming hot apple cider at all times. During the holidays, I often add a shot of Fireball for an extra cinnamon kick!

My favorite mug is purple and bubbly, matching my phone case, and perfect for chai lattes with peppermint syrup—because everything’s better with peppermint. It’s a comforting part of my day, from morning routines to late-night work sessions.

Filled with a hot toddy – my Anyu’s (grandma’s) recipe made with my dad’s Afinata, a traditional Romanian/Hungarian blueberry liqueur – this mug was lovingly made for me by Christine Frank (Jeff Frank’s wife). Its earthy aesthetic, exceptional cup-handle ergonomics, and optimal heat retention make it perfect. Plus, it’s blue—my favourite color. I drink from it every morning to warm me up for the day ahead.

Click here for Monica's recipe.

I don’t have a special mug, so I stick to the plainest ones in the office to avoid taking someone else’s favourite, sipping bottomless black coffee from said unspecial mug at all hours of the day.

This was Grandad Dent’s beer mug, “Mr. Micawber”—a Cornishware piece made as a Bass Brewery promotional item and named for a character from Dickens’ “David Copperfield,” known for his optimism. Grandad only drank beer from it on special occasions like Christmas. I haven’t read the book, but I once saw the Statue of Liberty disappear on TV—it turned up eventually.

This mug, a thoughtful token of appreciation from a dear friend when I became her beautiful daughter's godmother, is perfect for sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Click here for Ana’s recipe.

‘MGUG mug’ just rolls off the tongue. It started as an inside joke within the Manitoba GIS community, and I’ve been using one as my go-to for my entire career. Even when I break one, another always seems to find its way back into my hand.

Click here for Liam's recipe.

This mug reminds me of my grandpa, who once mistook the moose image on the rim for dirt due to his morning vision—a funny memory. I love using it for lattes when I have time or coffee with two creams.

I love enjoying a cortado in this unapologetically sparkly mug—espresso with equal parts steamed milk, no sweeteners. During the holidays, I sometimes add a touch of peppermint for a festive twist!

This mug, a gift from a friend when I left his basement and started at HTFC, isn’t special in value but feels like my twin—its greatest achievement is surviving the Kirkland coffee era, and I occasionally let it roam to others' tables.

Every December 15th, my family toasts my dad with Metaxa in the tiny crystal glasses my mom cherished, a tradition tied to childhood memories of brandy for colds and the treasures she lovingly collected for us.

Click here for Constantina's recipe.

My best frenemy of 20+ years gave me this “Awesome to the Core” mug (100% accurate), and while we’ve spent decades roasting each other, it’s a daily reminder that she secretly knows my awesomeness—though I love implying she doesn’t measure up. It’s my go-to for chocolate milk, any season.

This mug was a silly gift from a friend found at a thrift store. I love it for its size and thick walls that keep drinks warm. My favourite seasonal drinks are always lattes—spicy as the days get colder. I couldn’t live without a PSL or gingerbread latte in the colder months.

Click here for Shannon's recipe.

Our family’s favorite holiday drink tradition is Swedish mulled wine called glögg, introduced by our friend Maria during our first winter in the Riverview neighborhood almost 30 years ago. It’s forever linked to the kinship, warmth and hospitality of this season.

Click here for Glen's recipe.

This comfortable mug has served me well at the office for over 15 years. It was potted by my wife Laurel and fired in a rural Manitoba wood-fired kiln. My favorite hot drink for this or any mug—holiday or not—is coffee, strong or weak, dark or light roast, sweet or black, from espresso to percolator.

This mug, filled with a spiced apple drink, was a "gift" from my cat Atticus (but really from me to me), is the perfect size and reminds me of me and my buddy conquering the world together, one Saturday nap at a time.

Click here for Andrea's recipe.

My “office mug” was a Mother’s Day gift from my kids in 2014—since they were just 1- and 3-years old at the time, I suspect they didn’t choose or pay for it. Like my grandmother, who made tea throughout the day, I now carry my mug with me to every meeting and work session—it must be in the blood!

This mug, one of six mismatched mugs from various places, lives in our truck bed camper, and brings back warm memories of adventures with family and friends, especially when it’s full of rich campfire coffee.

Click here for Alicia's recipe.

A parting gift from one of my dearest friends when I moved home to Winnipeg from England, designed by local Brighton and Hove illustrator Martha Mitchell. Every cuppa evokes wonderful memories of life on the coast!

Cradling this handmade mug warms the soul. It’s a recent piece from our wood-fired kiln on Lake Winnipeg, capturing swirling fly ash in a toasty glaze. Pairs perfectly with our espresso machine and festive nog or cider over the holidays.

Click here for Maureen's recipe.

When we got married, we registered at Winnipeg's Stoneware Gallery, and this mug, one of many we received, is my favorite for winter eggnog lattes.

Click here for Adam's recipe.

This mug is special to me because it was given to me by my daughter who was 14 at the time. This hot toddy recipe is best after a day of snowmobiling, ice fishing, or a wintertime walk in the forest.

Click here for Lloyd's recipe.

I got my mug while on the west coast visiting friends and use it daily. Often sipping my morning coffee will trigger memories of exploring small shops and going for hikes around Vancouver.

Click here for Holly's recipe.

On my first day at HTFC back in 2004, I grabbed this mug from the assortment available and it’s been with me ever since. Even when I returned after a 2-year sabbatical it was there waiting for me. Though it’s usually filled with coffee, a nice hibiscus tea is also a favourite.

This mug reminds me of my dog, Chewbacca, who’s either a sweet companion or a “meanie.” At home or the office, I love using it for warm holiday drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, sprinkled with crushed candy canes.

My mug was an HTFC Secret Santa gift and I have used it everyday since. It can most often be found filled to the brim with coffee, but I do enjoy apple cider too.

Click here for Marilyn's recipe.