What’s the Deal with Christmas Market Mugs?

What’s the deal with Christmas market mugs? If you’ve been planning a trip, you’ve probably seen people sharing photos of them, comparing designs and talking about which ones they want to bring home. They’re clearly more than just something to drink from. But how does it all work?

I didn’t know on our first Christmas market trip either. When I ordered a drink in Düsseldorf, the total was higher than the price on the menu. The woman serving explained that I’d paid a deposit for the mug, which I’d get back when I returned it.

Then I started noticing the different designs at each market. I returned all our mugs in Düsseldorf, but by our next stop, I’d decided to keep one. These days, I usually bring home one or two per trip and use them throughout December.

Here’s what to know about Christmas market mugs, including how the deposit works, why people collect them and how to get your favourites home.

What to Know About Christmas Market Mugs

Spend a little time in Christmas market planning groups and you’ll notice it’s not just the destinations and food people are talking about. The mugs get plenty of attention too, with people sharing their collections, looking for specific designs and planning which ones to bring home.

So why all the fuss over a mug? Here’s why people collect them and what you need to know before ordering your first drink.

How Does the Christmas Market Mug Deposit Work?

When you order a drink served in a Christmas market mug, you’ll usually pay for two things: the drink itself and a refundable deposit for the mug. At German markets, you’ll see this deposit called Pfand.

That’s why the amount you pay can be higher than the drink price on the menu. The extra money isn’t another charge for your drink, it’s money you can get back when you return the mug.

Once you’ve finished, you have two options:

• Return the mug and get your deposit back.
• Keep the mug as a souvenir and give up the deposit.

In my experience, you need to return the mug to the same market, but not necessarily the same stall. In Cologne, for example, the Cathedral, Heinzels and Harbour markets have different mugs. I’d return each one within the market it came from, rather than carry it to the next market expecting to get my deposit back.

If you’re given a token with your drink (the boys got one for their drinks in Luxembourg), keep that with the mug until you return it.

Why Do People Collect Christmas Market Mugs?

Part of the appeal is how different they can be. You might find a short, wide mug at one market and a tall, narrow one at the next. The designs vary too, so even within the same city, you can come across several you’d like to bring home.

I started noticing this on our first trip in Düsseldorf, where the different markets had their own designs. Now, part of the fun is seeing what each market uses. One of my favourites is from Luxembourg. It has flat sides and a round rim, quite different from the other mugs in my cupboard.

But it’s not always about finding the prettiest one. The first mug I kept isn’t one I’d necessarily choose for its design today, but I still like having that reminder of our trip.

I could easily bring home more than one or two per trip. When you’re visiting several markets in each city, and some have multiple designs, the collection could grow pretty quickly. In Luxembourg last year, I spotted a blue one and went back specifically for that mug.

But we travel with carry-on luggage, so space makes the decision for me. I choose a couple of favourites, then use them throughout December. For me, that’s the appeal: a souvenir that brings back memories and actually gets used.

Does Every Christmas Market Have Collectible Mugs?

Many Christmas markets serve drinks in mugs you can keep as a souvenir, including most we’ve visited in Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. But you won’t find that same tradition at every market or in every country.

When we visited Prague and Bratislava, my mulled wine came in paper cups, although we did find a stall in Bratislava selling mugs separately. In Lisbon, some stalls served drinks in souvenir mugs, while others used paper cups.

It all varies by destination, market and stall, so collectible mugs aren’t something you’ll find everywhere.

Do You Have to Buy a Drink to Get a Mug?

Usually, we get our mugs by ordering a drink and then deciding whether to return them or keep them. But at some markets, you can buy a mug separately.

At Cologne’s Cathedral market, I saw a stall just for mugs, where you can look at the different designs and buy one without ordering a drink. That also means you get a clean mug to pack away, rather than carrying around one with a sticky drop of mulled wine left inside.

For me though, enjoying a drink at the market is part of the memory attached to the mug. But if you just want the souvenir, buying one separately is another option where it’s available.

And your drink doesn’t have to be alcoholic. We’ve also found hot non-alcoholic options, including Kinderpunsch (children’s punch), served in mugs you can keep by giving up the deposit.

Heading to the markets with kids? Here’s our tips for visiting Christmas markets with kids, from planning breaks to setting expectations for treats and rides.

How to Pack Christmas Market Mugs for the Trip Home

If you decide to keep a mug, you’ll need somewhere to put it while you explore. Even after you’ve finished your drink, there’s often a little left inside or a sticky patch around the rim.

Bring a few napkins so you can wipe out the mug, then leave one tucked inside to soak up any remaining drops. You can also wrap a napkin around the outside before putting it in the bag you’re using for your market purchases.

When it’s time to pack for home, I make sure the mug is clean and dry. We travel with carry-on luggage, so I use what we’re already packing: socks.

I wrap the mug in socks and pack it among our clothes for extra cushioning. Pay attention to the handle too, rather than only padding the main part of the mug.

You could also bring some bubble wrap, especially if you already know you’ll want to bring a few mugs home. Either way, pack them so they won’t knock against each other or move around in your bag.

I’d suggest packing your mugs in your carry-on rather than a checked bag, so you have more control over how they’re handled. They’ll still need cushioning and a spot where they won’t get crushed.

Can You Use Your Own Reusable Cup at Christmas Markets?

If you’re bringing an insulated cup to keep your drink warm, don’t count on having it filled directly. I can’t speak for every Christmas market, but in our experience, stalls serve drinks in their own mugs. These have markings showing how much to pour.

You may find a stall willing to fill your cup, but that hasn’t been our experience. Instead, you can carefully transfer your drink into your insulated cup away from the counter, then return the market mug for your deposit.

Our Take on Christmas Market Mugs

You don’t need to collect Christmas market mugs to enjoy the markets, but I understand why people do. There’s something really nice about pulling one out of the cupboard in December and bringing back the memories of your Christmas market trip.

Some of mine came home because I loved the design. Others aren’t the prettiest, but I wouldn’t get rid of them because of the memories attached to them.

If you find one you love, keep it, pack it carefully and use it when you get home. Just leave a little room in your luggage—you might spot another favourite at the next market.