Ever since I learned that a coffee cup accepts graph embeddings that a sphere cannot, I can’t stopped telling my students. Linking in the Gauss-Bonnet theorem, Morse theory, a little crochet, and some careful considerations of non-euclidean pizza, and you have a great conversation with a class. After several iterations, I have tested a few topics and can share what works for me and what draws yawns and crickets. I hope to describe ideas for other things I haven’t tried yet. Audience members are encouraged to share their experiences.