Funny grandpa gifts - linocut grandpa holding BBQ tongs beside a barbecue with sausages, Keeper of the Tongs, on a white ceramic mug

Grandpa Keeper of the Tongs design - bold black and rust linocut print of grandpa at the barbecue, one of our funny grandpa gifts

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Funny Grandpa Gifts – Keeper of the Tongs Mug

Name: Funny Grandpa Gifts – Keeper of the Tongs Mug
SKU: grandpa05
Price: 22.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$22.00

Nobody touches the barbie. Nobody touches the tongs. Of all the funny grandpa gifts, this is the one that makes his position at the BBQ official and permanent.

Save for later ♡

Every Aussie family barbecue has a chain of command, and at the very top sits Grandpa, which makes this one of our favourite funny grandpa gifts. He lights the barbie, he turns the snags, and under no circumstances does anybody else touch the tongs.

This mug makes his title official. It is one of those funny grandpa gifts that gets a laugh the moment it is unwrapped, followed by a firm nod from the man himself.

He has been the Keeper of the Tongs for decades. Now he has the mug to prove it.

Funny grandpa gifts for the barbecue boss

Grandpa’s barbecue knowledge is passed down like a family heirloom. When to flip, how hot is too hot, why the onions go on first. He may share some of the secrets one day, but he is not handing over the tongs just yet.

The joke is affectionate. It celebrates his pride, his skill and his total refusal to let anybody else help, which every family knows only too well.

It is a great pick for the grandpa who is hard to buy for, because it is about something he genuinely loves.

The linocut barbecue design

The artwork looks like a hand-carved linocut print, in black ink with rust-red accents. A strong, bald grandpa with a white beard wears a patterned apron and thongs, and holds the tongs up high like a sword.

Beside him, a kettle barbecue is loaded with sizzling sausages, with flames underneath and clouds of smoke drifting up behind.

GRANDPA is printed across the top in bold block letters, with KEEPER OF THE TONGS underneath. The rough print texture gives it a handmade, vintage feel.

Equipment specs

Glossy white ceramic, which makes the bold print stand out
11oz capacity, about 325mL, for a drink between flips
Hand-printed in Australia using sublimation printing
Dishwasher and microwave safe, unlike the barbecue plate

Occasions to hand it over

Father’s Day: Give it to him at the barbecue, obviously
His birthday: Bring the snags and let him do the rest
Grandparents Day: A thank-you for all those Sunday lunches
Australia Day: The barbecue’s biggest day deserves a proper mug
Retirement: More time for barbecues than ever

The unwritten rules of Grandpa’s barbecue

Rule one: the tongs belong to Grandpa. Rule two: no one questions when the snags are done. Rule three: the onions go on early, and you will be told why.

Every family has its own version, and every family has watched someone try to help, only to be gently but firmly moved aside. It is a tradition as old as the backyard barbie itself.

This mug is a nod to all of it, a little trophy for the man who has fed the family on countless Sunday afternoons.

Need more ideas? Explore our full range of grandpa mugs for grandads, pops and pas.

Got questions?

Keeper of the Tongs mug: your questions answered

About this mug

Who is this mug for?

The grandpa who runs every family barbecue and guards the tongs with his life. It's a fun gift from the grandkids or from grown-up kids who have never been allowed near the grill.

What does the design look like?

A bold linocut-style print in black and rust red. A strong, bearded grandpa in an apron and thongs holds the tongs up high beside a kettle barbecue loaded with sausages, with smoke curling up. GRANDPA is printed above and KEEPER OF THE TONGS below.

Do you have more grandpa mugs?

Yes, lots more. Browse all our grandpa mugs.

Delivery and care

Do you deliver across Australia?

Yes, to every state and territory by Australia Post, and shipping is free when you order 2 or more items. We only ship within Australia.

How is the design printed, and will it last?

Every mug is hand-printed in Australia using sublimation printing on an 11oz ceramic mug. We like to be upfront: like every sublimation print, the colours will gradually soften with use and washing. It is made for everyday drinking, and a favourite mug that has worn in a little is part of its charm.

How do I look after it?

The sublimation print is dishwasher safe, so you can load it up with the rest of the kitchen. To keep the colours looking fresh for longer, a hand wash with a soft sponge is kinder than a scourer.