Walmart’s new holiday collection leans heavily into a long-term trend where mugs, cups, and what used to be known as thermoses have become collectible fashion statements.
It wasn’t that long ago when a coffee mug was just a way to drink coffee. Sure, maybe yours had a witty slogan or declared you “World’s #1 Grandma,” but that tended to be as wild as things got.
The Stanley Cup phenomenon changed that, and now cups have more functionality and have even become collectible.
You can blame that on Buy Guide founders Linley Hutchinson, Ashlee LeSueur, and Taylor Cannon, whose online shopping blog and Instagram account helped start the craze. The Buy Guide’s second post on Instagram, back in November 2017, featured a 40-oz. Stanley Quencher.
“Of all the insulated cups… this is the one. Just trust,” the post read, touting the product’s features like its handle, straw, ability to keep beverages cold, and the fact that it was dishwasher-safe.
That opened up a new world for coffee, water, and people hiding alcohol from their employers.
Now, Walmart is following that trend for the holiday season. TAL, a brand exclusive to the retail giant, has launched its limited-edition Holiday Coffee Collection, featuring eight new styles across the new Ribbed Coffee Tumbler and Bubble Coffee Mug, all priced at $9.98, according to a press release.
Walmart’s new coffee tumblers won’t be around for long
While I’ve never really understood the idea of a coffee mug as a fashion statement, I appreciate functionality. I don’t need a giant tumbler, but I do have my morning double shot of espresso with a little foamed coffee creamer in an insulated tumbler.
I’m pretty sure my tumbler of choice was a promotional giveaway at a trade show, but it doesn’t have a company logo on it, so that may not be correct.
TAL’s new Walmart line tries to mix practical with affordable and trendy.
“With the Holiday Coffee Collection, we’re bringing the kind of playful, design-forward details you’d expect from a premium brand to Walmart shoppers, so it’s easy to treat yourself or check a few gifts off your list,” said Steven Bram, CEO of TAL’s parent company Core Home.
TAL shared some facts about the collection:
The 18 oz. Ribbed Coffee Tumbler features a double-wall ribbed design and a splash-proof lid. It comes in red tint, pink tint, green tint, and clear, and each color is topped with its own figural straw topper: a teddy bear, a bow, a holiday tree, or a skier.
The 12 oz. Bubble Coffee Mug is made of double-wall stainless steel in a glossy bubble shape, with a sliding leak-proof lid and an easy-carry handle. It’s available in red, pink, green, and black.
Each Ribbed Coffee Tumbler includes a reusable straw with a seasonal topper for a fun holiday touch that helps keep the straw clean.
Statement silhouettes: Ribbed and bubble shapes turn everyday drinkware into a fun seasonal accessory.
Spill protection: A splash-proof lid on the tumbler and a sliding leak-proof lid on the mug offers spill-free protection.
Temperature control (Bubble Coffee Mug): Double-wall stainless steel keeps drinks hot for up to 5 hours or cold for up to 13 hours.
Coffee-friendly sizes: Sizes include an 18 oz. tumbler for iced drinks and 12 oz. mug for hot coffee, tea, or cocoa.
The limited-edition Holiday Coffee Collection is available in Walmart stores from Nov. 2 through Dec. 28, 2026, while supplies last.
Why have cups, mugs, and tumblers become collectibles?
I’m not a collector. I travel a lot, but I’ve never wanted to have mugs, shot glasses, or anything else from the places I visit. There’s a reason people collect things, according to Peter Danzig, a researcher, psychotherapist, and consultant.
“When we think about collecting, we try to think about collectibles, which tend to be something you wouldn’t think about when you’re talking about a Stanley Quencher bottle. You might think that applies to dolls or jewelry,” he told Retail Dive. “And that is true. But anything is collectible that has material culture. What’s most important is that the reason people collect is that it brings them a sense of joy.”
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Amy Post, owner of PostCard Travel Planning, collects Starbucks mugs when she visits other countries.
“It’s an affordable way to mark where we have been and remember those trips,” she told TheStreet.
That’s something Starbucks has embraced with its merchandising.
“Today, customers are looking for products and experiences that reflect who they are and what they love. They want to see their identity, their passions, and their creativity come to life through the brands they choose. And that shift is creating real momentum for our merch business,” Starbucks global chief brand officer Tressie Lieberman wrote in July.
Starbucks has leaned into the collectible tumbler trend. Shutterstock
Starbucks embraces collectibles
Starbucks might not have the enduring success at being trendy that Stanley has, but it has had its own viral experiences.
“A defining moment came during the holidays last year, when the Glass Bearista Cold Cup went viral and sold out in less than a day. That wasn’t just a successful product launch, it was an inflection point,” Lieberman wrote.
It was an experience that helped define Starbucks moving forward.
“Bearista showed us what happens when we show up at the intersection of coffee, culture, and community in a way that feels authentic to our brand. Customers didn’t just buy it; they shared it, celebrated it, and made it part of the broader cultural conversation,” she added.
Starbucks has a holiday collection
Starbucks launches its holiday merchandise beginning on Nov. 5 both online and in its stores. The offerings include:
The 2026 Holiday Village collection celebrates Starbucks’ roots, where its story began in 1971 along the cobblestone streets of Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. In addition to mugs, ornaments, and a snow globe, the collection includes a ceramic Starbucks coffeehouse modeled after the original Pike Place store.
New tumblers: Featuring a quilted light-blue cold cup, iridescent water bottles, statement tumblers, and other whimsical items. This collection will be available starting Nov. 17.
More Bearistas: This new collection features Bearista-adorned drinkware, a collectible plush keychain, and coordinated accessories.
The chain will also have a collectible treat for Bearista fans.
“Before the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns, a surprise collection of Glass Bearista Cold Cup characters will arrive in Starbucks coffeehouses on Nov. 10. Each box will contain a mystery Glass Bearista, only to be unveiled once opened,” the chain shared in a press release.
The collection will be available in limited quantities, while supplies last.
Related: More Kroger and Albertsons locations will close in 2026