Coffee breaks take us away from humdrum and backbreaking tasks at work. They are the short moments when we could chat with our colleagues, brace ourselves for what's to come and finally mull over the idea that we might actually be in the wrong office. Coffee mugs, in fact, are an employee's best friend. They have been with us through improperly brewed coffee and bad choices of tea. It's no wonder then that personalized mugs are among the most-popular corporate gifts and employee giveaway; they're almost a no-brainer. But, really, when it's gift-giving season, your staff and business partners deserve a little more than logos on ceramic. A personalized mug for business associates and company staff should set the mood for those coffee breaks. Uplift their spirits just as caffeine does to their brain, but with more flair.

1. Make photo albums out of your personalized mugs. Immortalize company events by designing personalized mugs with photos from such gatherings. Aside from having a high resolution, pictures should also feature the best moments, not eerie mugshots. Pick photos of employees chatting happily over wine, the exquisite table arrangement, the tableau of gifts and memorable team presentations.

2. Let your logo take a backseat on your personalized mugs. Personalized mugs that carry marketing logos may not appeal to business associates or high-brow employees. A personalized mug for business partners call for a formal style. For such, you can use original art or reproductions. Another way to appease posh tastes is to have your logo drawn in a way that makes it less conspicuous but more artistic. A design that only slightly hints at promotions is best as a personalized mug for business gatherings. Try calligraphic strokes or logo decals that are the same color as the mug. White-on-white and black-on-black are very popular among tableware nowadays. Work with a promotional products company that processes these the easiest. Choose one that can use various picture file formats on your personalized mugs. Make sure such the company has its own design studio with Pantone Matching System to ensure that your artwork gets properly imprinted on the personalized mugs.