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The MAX’IS Creations Mug with a Hoop is a 16 oz stoneware mug with a tiny basketball hoop on the rim, and it’s a fun gift that holds up to real use. The brand sent me this one to review, but I’d seen it a while ago and thought it was such a cute idea. Now that I’ve tried it, I’m a big fan.
If you’re shopping for a basketball fan, a kid who lives for snack time, or a coach, this is an easy gift to get right.
Quick Verdict
- Buy it if: you want a gift for a basketball fan that gets used, not parked on a shelf
- Skip it if: you want a regular-size mug for your morning coffee
- My favorite feature: the hoop. Snack time turns into a game.
- Would I buy again? Yes
Who invented the mug with a hoop?
A kid named Max. The story is on the back of the box. He came up with it in art class when he was 8 years old, made it for his brother Sam, then pitched it and won a contest. I love a good story behind a product, and reading this one made me like the mug even more.
Max stayed busy after the first one. There’s a whole lineup of sports designs now, so you can collect them. Amazon lists the company as a Stevie Award winner that’s been featured on the Today Show and ESPN, and says every cup supports dyslexia awareness.
MAX’IS Creations The Mug with a Hoop, 16 oz
A 16 oz hand-painted stoneware mug with a mini basketball hoop on the rim. Toss marshmallows into cocoa, cereal into milk, or snacks into the bowl. Dishwasher and microwave safe, and it ships in a gift box with Max’s story.
MAX’IS basketball mug size and specs
- Capacity: 16 oz
- Material: Hand-painted stoneware, so each one is a little different
- Dimensions: 7 x 5.25 x 4.75 inches
- Care: Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Materials info: Lead-free and BPA-free
- Packaging: Gift box with Max’s story printed on the back
- Design: Patented, U.S. Pat. D723,336
Who is the basketball mug a good gift for?
Kids and teens who love basketball are the obvious fit. The brand also pitches it for coaches, players, and sports-loving dads, and for birthdays, Christmas, and Secret Santa swaps.
It works for family snack night, too. Pass it around the couch and take turns shooting from across the room. Pair it with a card game like Trivia for Everyone, where the expert doesn’t automatically win, and that’s a whole evening. For a grown-up basketball fan, add in a packet of cocoa. I’ve been drinking SWITCH Killswitch sugar-free sleep cocoa on hot chocolate nights.
What happened when I shot popcorn and cheese balls into it
I filled it with popcorn first, and it looks adorable as a little serving dish. Then I started shooting. I’m not good at basketball. I did get one in eventually.
Cheese balls were even better, because they look like tiny basketballs. I kept missing and decided I need practice. You can sit down with it as a movie snack, or just leave it out on the table, because it’s cute and people will want to play with it.
How well made is the MAX’IS mug with a hoop?
- Solid build: I thought it would be big and bulky and kind of a novelty. It’s well made and feels like good quality.
- Nice to hold: It’s a bigger mug, and it still sits comfortably in my hand.
- A hoop that stays put: The hoop doesn’t feel like it could snap off at all.
- A real handle: When it’s full of hot chocolate and marshmallows, you can pick it up by the handle like any mug.
A few more things I liked
- It isn’t only for cocoa. Toss cereal into milk, or shoot crackers into soup.
- It’s dishwasher safe. Thank you, Max.
What to know before you buy the mug with a hoop
- It’s wider than a regular mug on purpose, so there’s room for snacks and room to aim. It’s closer to a cereal bowl with a handle than a coffee mug.
- I tested it with popcorn and cheese balls, so I can’t tell you how it holds heat with a hot drink.
Questions about the MAX’IS Creations Mug with a Hoop
Is the MAX’IS Mug with a Hoop dishwasher safe?
Yes. It’s dishwasher and microwave safe.
How big is the MAX’IS basketball mug?
It holds 16 oz and measures 7 x 5.25 x 4.75 inches. It’s bigger than a standard coffee mug.
What snacks work best with the hoop?
Round ones. Cheese balls were my favorite, and popcorn works too. Mini marshmallows in hot chocolate and cereal in milk are the classic uses.
Who invented the MAX’IS mug with a hoop?
Max, when he was 8 years old. He designed it in art class.
Is the basketball mug just for kids?
No. The brand markets it for all ages, and I had plenty of fun with it as an adult.
Other basketball snack gifts to compare
- Suclain Basketball Hoop Snack Cups, 24 Pack: a party-size pick instead of one keepsake. You get 24 thick paper basketball cups that hold 8 oz each, made for a team party.
- Reallnaive Basketball Chip and Dip Bowls, 2 Pack: two 12-inch plastic basketball snack bowls for feeding a crowd on game day. They go on the top rack of the dishwasher.
- Boccsty Basketball Kids Water Bottle, 12 oz: a basketball-print kids’ bottle in insulated stainless steel with a straw lid, for game days. It keeps drinks cold up to 10 hours.
Would I give the mug with a hoop as a gift? Yes.
For a basketball fan on your list, kid or grown-up, this is the one I’d grab.
The MAX’IS Creations Mug with a Hoop is a well-made, fun gift for anyone who loves basketball or snacks. If I’d buy it again, you know it’s good.
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