Warming your hands around a mug of hot chocolate is one of winter's little pleasures.  The very act of holding a mug is an intimate connection to the anticipation of the first sip.  Maybe too, it's the rush of childhood memories when our mothers would make us hot chocolate on those cold days.

So, with a moment so special, why not also pay attention to the mug itself?  These three mugs are all imperfect- hand made, spun by hand, or imperfection built into the manufacturing process.  I think its the organic nature of these mugs that makes for a more perfect drinking experience.

Ceramicist Nancy Baugh created a white porcelain mug just for hot chocolate.  Made by hand - each mug is distinctively different.  Available directly from her studio, White Forest Pottery. $25 each.

New York's chocolate restaurant Max Brenner names the whole experience the "hot chocolate ceremony" and made the Hug Mug just for the very occasion.  $18.50 each from www.maxbrenner.com

Finally, a more traditional mug from Rae Dunn made pinch pot style giving each mug a unique form with the added inspirational one word thought.  $55 for set of six at Joanne Hudson.