Can You Keep Christmas Market Mugs? Deposits (Pfand) Explained

Can you keep the mug from a Christmas market?

Yes. At most German, Austrian and Swiss Christmas markets, and at many markets elsewhere that follow the same tradition, your Glühwein (mulled wine) or punch comes in a ceramic mug with a deposit (Pfand) added to the price. Bring the mug back and you get the deposit back. Keep it and the deposit is what you paid for it. Taking it home is expected; that's how most collections start.

How does the mug deposit (Pfand) work?

When you order, the stall charges the price of the drink plus the deposit, usually a few euros. When you've finished, take the empty mug back to the stall's counter and say you want your Pfand back. Some stalls hand out a token (Pfandmarke) with the mug; keep it, because they may ask for it when you return the mug.

Is taking the mug home stealing?

No. You paid the deposit, so the mug is yours. Market organisers count on visitors keeping mugs, and many design a new one every year for exactly that reason. What isn't fine is collecting mugs other people left on tables without having paid for them.

Where can you return a mug?

Usually at the stall you bought it from, or at any stall in the same market that serves drinks in that design. Stalls at other markets generally won't take a mug that isn't theirs, even in the same city, because each market (and sometimes each stall) has its own design.

Can you buy a mug without a drink?

Often, yes. Many stalls will sell a clean mug for the deposit amount, and some markets sell mugs at a separate souvenir stand or tourist information point, sometimes boxed. Ask politely when it isn't busy. Children's punch (Kinderpunsch) usually comes in the same mug, so it's an easy way to get one.

Do you have to wash the mug before returning it?

No. Stalls wash returned mugs themselves. If you keep it, rinse it as soon as you can: dried mulled wine stains and is hard to get out of unglazed areas.

Does every market use ceramic mugs?

No. Some markets use glass, reusable plastic cups or other containers, and some change from year to year. The deposit system usually works the same way. To see which markets and years have a mug in the catalogue, browse by country or by year.

How do you know which market and year your mug is from?

Most mugs print the market name, the city and often the year. If yours doesn't, compare it with photos in the catalogue, filtered by market and year. Our guide on how to tell this year's mug has more tips.

Last checked: 2 November 2026