Henry VIII Disappearing Wives Mug

Henry VIII’s marital history is a lot to fit into a coffee break, but this mug gives it a go. Add hot coffee and the portraits of his six wives disappear, leaving their names, outlines, and the manner of their departure behind. Less a clean getaway, more a very compact Tudor history lesson.

This is a good gift for the history enthusiast who enjoys explaining the joke almost as much as hearing it. The disappearing portraits give it something to do beyond sitting there with a punchline printed on the side, and the remaining details are a nice touch. It comes in a colorful gift box, too.

The ceramic mug is microwave safe, but it needs gentler treatment at the sink: hand wash only, with no soaking. That makes it better suited to someone willing to wash a favorite mug than someone whose entire kitchen routine depends on the dishwasher.