In 1986 all of the middle schools in Haverhill, took a trip to Washington, DC so the 8th graders could get some real world civics education. It was an annual tradition and right of passage. At the time I was at the Caleb Dustin Hunking school, which is a completely different building now.

I remember the trip for 2 reasons. First, the NBA finals were going on in May, and the Celtics were on a roll. Our room was party central for watching the game because we dumped a ton of cash into the vending machines and filled our bath tub with ice and sodas and candy. It was silly, I know.

Second, that was the start of my shot glass collection. We were walking downtown between tourist venues and all the kids were trying to decide what kind of souvenir to buy from the tables set up on the sidewalks. Mugs, spoons, pins, patches, stickers, snowglobes…I chose to buy the two shot glasses pictured above. That was the beginning of a life long obsession.

Over the years, no matter where we go, I always look for a shot glass. It’s been a 40+ year thing. I even have a system for packing them – I wrap in paper and stuff them into a shoe or ski boot. I’ve never lost a shot glass on the trip home. Though in 1995, I was moving a cabinet and it tipped over and about 8 broke. I am a moron.

Nearly everyone in my family gets me shot glasses when they travel too. Taylor and Haley, Sara, Jenn, Mom and Dad (probably have contributed the most over the years), Megan. Extended family, Roz and I think Sonia brought me one from a tour once? Friends get me shot glasses. Guy, Brian, Eric, Robyn have definitely contributed a bunch. Even a coworker from Fidelity, Sabrina, got me 2 cool ones from a trip to see family in Spain. (if I missed you, hit me and I will add to this list. forgive me, I’m old)

I don’t really have a favorite style, but I have tried to stick to the short ones. They are easier to put in cabinets. The tall ones are nice, but I just don’t think they are as traditional. I like any material and have a few that are fairly artistic. One has a leather skin. One is made of bone. Several are clay. Several metal.

After years of all my shot glasses being spread between some homemade cabinets, boxes and bins, I finally broke down and bought cabinets so I can display all of them. I have over 520 shot glasses. Sara helped me group them by categories and I washed every single one by hand so as to not ruin paint or stickers.

Sports Teams

Ski Mountains _{(missing a bunch)}

Colleges

Government

I will never stop collecting shot glasses. I have West Point, but no USAFA grrrrr. Nor Texas A&M (yet). I keep forgetting to get Crotched and somehow I never bought a Killington one?!? Here’s to the next adventure and finding the next one!

Full display cabinet images below, with a little room to grow 🙂