An Owala Kind of Year: Our Biggest Moments

by Owala Team

Updated: December 23, 2025

‘Tis the season for gifting. With the holidays on the horizon, don’t be caught last minute without a gift (yes, we’re talking to you).

While it may be tempting to search the internet for gift ideas for your significant other, kids, friends, or other loved ones, chances are you’ll find the same boring things you do every year: candles, cufflinks, and socks. Instead, give them something they’ll actually be excited about and use every day.

Here are a few Owala products that are awesome gifts for all your favorite water-drinking humans (and furry friends).

Looking for a gift that’s both stylish and functional? Our stainless steel tumblers are perfect! They have a 2-in-1 lid (with a removable straw) for versatile sips. It also has double-wall vacuum insulation, so drinks stay cold for hours—ideal for iced coffee, smoothies, or refreshing water on the go.

Available in various colors and sizes, these eco-friendly, BPA-free tumblers feature a wide mouth for easy filling and cleaning, plus a secure lid to prevent spills. This holiday season, give the gift of hydration with our stainless steel tumblers—your loved ones will love using them every day!

Our tumblers come in two sizes (and the 40oz tumbler even has a handle). Get them here.

Some brands count new releases. Some brands count impressions. We count refills, community events, wow-worthy bottles, and epic parties. Welcome to an Owala kind of year.

First Things First: You Did This

None of this happens without you. Like… genuinely. This year was powered by our community of hydration lovers who absolutely refuse to drink water out of a boring cup.

You showed up to events. You voted on colors. You tagged us in mirror pics. You brought Owala to class, work, the gym, the beach, your friend’s couch, and that one oddly long Target run. You made jokes. You made requests. You made us better.

This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s a thank you to our favorite people on Earth.

New Products Entered the Chat

All thanks to your suggestions.

FreeSip® Sway

The wait? Worth it. We took the OG FreeSip you already loved, made it cupholder-friendly, and added a bucket handle so it’s easy to take anywhere you want.

FreeSip® Tumbler

Because who doesn’t love options? The Tumbler is just like the Sway, but with a side handle. It’s comfy and perfect for road trips, desk life, and more.

SmoothSip Slider™ with Handle

Our SmoothSip Slider was an instant hit (we mean… coffee cup with zero spills? Say less), but you gave us one tiny note: a handle for better stability. So we did the thing.

Customization: Your Bottle, Your Rules

Names. Initials. Inside jokes. Making unique bottles is our favorite thing—and we wanted to give you a chance to do it too. Customization took off this year, and seeing you turn bottles into your own masterpieces was pretty dang awesome.

Collabs That Went Hard

These fandoms inspired some of our best work.

Wicked

With the longggg awaited release of the Wicked movies, we knew we had to bring our A game. Our Wicked collab included shimmery Glinda and Elphaba bottles in their signature colors (along with some subtle touches, like the letter of their first names). We even got to surprise some fans at the movie theater and hand out free bottles. Let’s just say this duo has changed us for good.

Lilo & Stitch

A staple of our childhood and the next generation’s—all thanks to the new-live action movie. Our Lilo & Stitch bottles took time to get just right, but it was worth it. Our designers ended up creating the perfect pair. We saw you taking these bottles to the new movie, using them beachside, and bonding with your best pals over your love of water.

TRON

Sleek. Futuristic. Slightly intimidating (but in a cool way). This drop proved that bottles can, in fact, look like they came from the future. We loved being part of this collaboration for the new Tron: Ares movie and seeing it out in the wild.

Gilmore Girls

Our favorite fast-talking girls (and the quirky town they live in) have a fanbase like no other. To celebrate their insatiable love of coffee, we created cups that they’d love—and probably refill at least 10 times throughout the day.

Two images of people attending Owala events, holding FreeSip bottles

We Logged Off and Touched Grass (With You)

Because community online is amazing—but it’s even better IRL.

San Antonio & NYC

Remember when we built a giant FreeSip Sway and revealed it in San Antonio and the fans went wild? Or when we went to NYC and set up a human claw machine where you could grab (and hold onto for dear life) prizes—including rare past Owalas? Good times. You guys showed up in a big way and it was so fun talking to thousands of new besties.

College Tour

For the ones who study day and night. We see how hard you work, and we wanted to give you something to brighten your day while you’re in the thick of it. We had a blast connecting at your colleges and wish you the best of luck with tests!

Super Girl Surf Fest

One of the world’s biggest surf competitions and we got a front row seat. During the fest, we had a stand set up to bring Owala to competitors and fans alike. We loved being part of such an empowering event and cheering everyone on.

RIP, Heirloom, and Fairways for Days Owala Color Drop bottles

Favorite Collections

So good, they impressed everyone—ourselves included.

Color Drops

Every year, we dream up new drops that’ll make your day. From our golf-inspired Fairways for Days that took the golfing world by storm to the Heirloom that felt like the ultimate vintage find to Sugar Skull—a meaningful bottle that celebrated Dia de los Muertos—each one brought its own kind of magic.

Birthday Bash

We turned another year older and decided to celebrate the only way we know how: loud, colorful, and with the best people (yeah, you). Our collection was full of party themes like hoedowns and pool parties and black tie. Fancy, we know.

Assortment of holiday-themed bottles across a brown backdrop

Holiday Collection

We wrapped up the year with a bunch of festive bottles. From traditional colors to Nutcracker designs to cozy hygge vibes, this collection was made to be put in stockings and under the Christmas tree. We can’t wait to see Owala become part of your holiday traditions.

So… What’s Next?

While we can’t give that up yet, just know that we’ve got a lot of surprises in store. Whether you’re a long time fan or new to Owala, you’re going to want to be part of this.

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