Celebrated annually on October 26, National Mule Day honors the history and contributions of the mule in America. October 26 was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the Andalusian jack, Royal Gift, a prized breed of donkey from Spain, which played a crucial role in the development of the American mule. A mule is the hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. Thanks to a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor, mules are hardier than horses and donkeys. Although they have a reputation for being stubborn, mules are simply cautious and will stop and think before acting. In honor and recognition of these amazing animals, A-Z-Animals has compiled a list of seven mule-themed items that are sure to delight fans of these resilient and hardworking creatures.
T-shirt
This t-shirt from New Ideas For Sale comes in 15 colors and is a splendid gift to commemorate National Mule Day.
©Courtesy of New Ideas For Sale
Whether you’re a mule lover or simply someone who appreciates clever wordplay, the MULES: THE ORIGINAL HYBRID t-shirt from New Ideas For Sale is for you. The graphic depicts a mule in the center of a circle of stars, with the message encircling the edge of the design. The Bella + Canvas 3001 tee is a unisex fit, making it less bulky than a standard men’s t-shirt and less fitted than a typical women’s t-shirt. New Ideas For Sale‘s MULES: THE ORIGINAL HYBRID t-shirt is available in 15 colors and six sizes: Small-3XL, starting at $10.73.
Key Holder
You’ll never misplace your keys again with this stalwart mule standing guard.
©Courtesy of horseflymetalart.com
Keeping track of keys can be a constant struggle, and nothing is worse than misplacing them just when they are needed most. Fear not! The mule key holder from Horsefly Metal Works will help keep you organized and on time. It features the silhouette of a mule and has five hooks for keys. The rack is crafted in Pennsylvania from 16-gauge steel that is laser-cut and finished by hand. It is available in five powder-coated finishes (Black, Brown, Clay Pot, Flame, and Rust), which are oven-baked for durability and longevity. There is also an unfinished bare metal option. Horsefly Metal Works‘ Mule Key Rack is $20 (powder-coated) or $12 unfinished.
Garden Flag
This garden flag eliminates any doubt regarding how you feel about mules.
©Courtesy of themulestore.com
The Horses Welcome, Mules Preferred garden flag from The Mule Store is a decorative flag that is the perfect accent for gardens, patios, or the barnyard. Measuring approximately 12.5 x 18 inches, the flag features a design with a brown mule and a tawny mule, framed by the message. It is printed on durable, weather-resistant fabric made to withstand harsh seasonal conditions. Get your Horses Welcome, Mules Preferred garden flag ($19.95) at The Mule Store, which offers a wide selection of mule-centric inventory. Please note that a standard garden flag stake, which is required to display the flag, is not included with the purchase.
Coffee Mug
Coffee mugs like this make you want to wake up early.
©Courtesy of Infinite Expression 37
Designed to bring a smile to your morning routine, this black ceramic coffee mug from Infinite Expressions 37 is a fun way to commemorate National Mule Day. The mug is emblazoned with the word STUBBORN and an adorable caricature of a mule. Made from high-quality, durable black ceramic with a glossy finish, the mug is lead and BPA-free and meets FDA requirements for food and beverage safety. It’s also dishwasher and microwave-safe. The Infinite Expressions 37 STUBBORN mug is available in two sizes: 11-ounce for $16.46 and 15-ounce for $18.71.
Warning Sign
You might think twice about staying once you’ve read the fine print.
©Courtesy of Blue Fox Gifts
The Mule Warning sign from Blue Fox Gifts humorously declares WARNING! This property is protected by highly trained MULES. The full-color sign is made of UV-coated aluminum and is designed to look like a rustic, weathered metal sign. A thermal imprinting process using eco-friendly inks fuses the vibrant image directly to the aluminum. The Blue Fox Gifts sign comes in three finishes: Like New, Distressed Wood, or Aged Metal, and two sizes: 12×8 inches for $20.91 and 18×12 inches for $43.39.
Wall Art
This motivational sign reminds us that it’s OK to be a little stubborn.
©Courtesy of signsandstuffaz
The Advice From A Mule wood sign from Signs and StuffAZ offers an inspirational list of mule characteristics worthy of emulation. Mules are sure-footed and a little stubborn, with a great instinct for self-preservation. You can develop these qualities too by following their advice. The sign is made from 1/4 inch thick wood and measures 10×5 inches. A rope attached to the back makes for easy hanging. Signs and StuffAZ‘s Advice From A Mule sign is $13.99.
Gift Wrap
This paper is the perfect wrap for your National Mule Day gift.
©Courtesy of Rural Funk
Wrapping up our list of whimsical mule-themed gifts is mule-themed gift wrap. Designed by Rural Funk, this lime green paper features a pattern of scattered mule heads. The design is printed edge-to-edge on premium fine-art paper that is 100% recyclable and comes with either a glossy or matte finish. Rural Funk‘s Funny Mule Wrapping Paper is $21.03 for one roll (24 x 72 inches) of glossy paper or $19.83 for one 6-foot roll with the matte finish.
