Sometimes, a seemingly small detail or a passing comment can capture the imagination of an entire community more than anything else we share. This was precisely the case with a simple photograph we posted almost two months ago on Instagram and Facebook. It was a joyful snapshot taken after John completed his third triathlon, accompanied by a caption that sparked an unexpected wave of interest: “Third triathlon complete for this beast (and yes, we make Christmas ornaments for our tree from his medals, because we are nerds).”

We were genuinely surprised by the sheer volume of comments and messages inquiring about that little “ornament tidbit.” Many of you asked for instructions, more photos, and even a dedicated blog post. So, here I am, a mere two months later, ready to deliver on a topic we never imagined would pique such interest – turning athletic achievements into cherished holiday decor. It might be July, but there’s nothing quite like a festive Christmas tutorial to brighten the summer, is there?

Transform Your Race Medals into Treasured Christmas Ornaments: A Simple DIY Guide

Are your hard-earned race medals gathering dust in a drawer or hidden away in a box? It’s a common dilemma for athletes and hobbyists alike. These symbols of dedication, effort, and personal triumph deserve more than to be tucked away. Imagine celebrating those achievements year after year, proudly displayed on your Christmas tree, sparkling alongside traditional baubles. This creative DIY project allows you to transform those forgotten medals into beautiful, personalized Christmas ornaments, turning them into conversation starters and inspiring reminders of your accomplishments.

Why Transform Your Medals into Unique Christmas Ornaments?

Beyond simply clearing out clutter, there are several compelling reasons to embark on this heartwarming project:

Celebrate Achievements Year-Round: Your medals represent significant milestones – a first marathon, a personal best, completing a challenging triathlon. Displaying them as ornaments allows you to relive those moments and celebrate your perseverance every holiday season.
Personalized Holiday Decor: In a world of mass-produced decorations, handmade and personalized ornaments stand out. Your medal ornaments will tell a unique story, making your Christmas tree truly one-of-a-kind and deeply meaningful. Each ornament becomes a tiny narrative of your journey.
A Unique Conversation Starter: Guests will undoubtedly notice these distinctive ornaments. They provide an excellent opportunity to share stories about your races, the challenges you overcame, and the joy of crossing the finish line. It’s a wonderful way to connect and inspire.
A Sentimental Keepsake: Unlike certificates or digital photos, a physical medal holds a tangible memory. By turning it into an ornament, you elevate its status from a stored item to a cherished heirloom that can be passed down through generations.
Easy and Budget-Friendly: This project requires minimal supplies and takes very little time. You’re repurposing something you already own, making it an incredibly cost-effective way to add character and charm to your holiday decorations.

The Inspiration: How We Started This Heartwarming Tradition

Our journey into the world of DIY medal ornaments began quite serendipitously. A few Christmases ago, John participated in a “Tacky Light Run” – a wonderfully quirky night race held in a nearby neighborhood famous for its over-the-top holiday decorations. The medals awarded at the finish line for these festive runs often have a distinct holiday theme and a more ornament-like appearance from the start. Although they came with the same thick ribbons you see on standard race medals, the design was enough to plant a seed in our minds: “Hey, we should definitely hang this on our tree!”

That initial spark quickly grew. What began as an idea for a single holiday-themed medal soon trickled over to John’s entire collection of race medals – from triathlons to half marathons. We realized that every medal, regardless of its original design, could be transformed into a beautiful DIY Christmas ornament. It was an ingenious solution to a common problem: how to display and truly appreciate these symbols of achievement, rather than letting them reside indefinitely in a forgotten box at the back of a closet. The simple act of converting them brought them into the light, ready to be admired and celebrated each December.

What You’ll Need: Simple Supplies for Your Medal Ornaments

The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity. You won’t need a craft store full of specialized tools or expensive materials. Most likely, you already have everything you need on hand, making this a quick and satisfying craft. Here’s a brief list:

Your Collection of Race Medals: These are the stars of the show!
Scissors: Any pair will do, as long as they’re sharp enough to cut ribbon cleanly.
Thin Ribbon or Twine: This will be used to create the hanging loop for your ornaments. We recommend a festive color like red, green, gold, or silver, or something that complements your existing Christmas decor. Consider materials like satin, grosgrain, or even natural twine for a rustic look. Approximately 7 inches per ornament is a good starting length.
Optional: Metal Ornament Hooks: If you prefer a quicker alternative to tying ribbon, these can be a great choice.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Personalized Medal Ornaments

Get ready for some incredibly straightforward steps. You can easily complete this DIY while multitasking, perhaps catching up on your favorite reality TV show (are Robby and Chase the same person? I’m still so confused!).

Step 1: Gather Your Medals and Secure Permission

Before you start snipping, gather all the medals you intend to transform. If these aren’t solely your own, take a moment to double-check with the proud recipient that they’re comfortable with the alteration. In our case, John was absolutely fine with the conversion. He recognized that otherwise, his medals would likely remain forgotten in a box at the back of a closet, out of sight and out of mind. This project gives them a new life and a place of honor, transforming them from stored memorabilia into decorative, cherished pieces of holiday art. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reminisce about each race!

Step 2: Liberate Your Medals from Their Original Ribbons

This is where the transformation truly begins. Carefully take a pair of scissors and cut the existing, typically wide and thick ribbon that is threaded through each medal. This ribbon, while perfect for wearing around your neck on race day, can be bulky and doesn’t always lend itself well to the delicate appearance of a Christmas ornament. By removing it, you free up the medal, preparing it for a more fitting, thinner ribbon that will allow it to hang gracefully on your Christmas tree. Choose a clean cut close to the medal’s attachment point.

Step 3: Attach Your New Hanging Ribbon

Now, it’s time to give your medal its new hanging loop. Take a short strip of your chosen ribbon – we find that about 7 inches in length works perfectly for most standard ornaments. You can either purchase new ribbon specifically for this project, or, if you’re like me, raid your stash of ribbons hoarded from decades of Christmas present unwrapping! Loop this new, thinner ribbon through the opening on the medal where the old ribbon once was. Once threaded through, bring the two ends together and secure them with a nice, tight double knot. This ensures the ribbon is sturdy and won’t unravel, keeping your precious medal safely on the tree. You can experiment with different ribbon textures and colors to match your tree’s theme or the medal’s design.

Step 4: Admire Your Craftsmanship

Step back and take a moment to appreciate your newly crafted homemade ornaments. It’s amazing how such a simple change can transform a medal into a festive, elegant display piece. You might even consider bestowing upon yourself a whimsical, crafty pseudonym – perhaps something along the lines of “Bertha Stewart,” the long-lost cousin of a super crafty guru. This step is all about celebrating your DIY success and the beautiful, personalized touch you’ve added to your holiday decor. Hold them up, let them catch the light, and imagine how wonderful they’ll look on your tree.

Step 5 (Optional): The Summer Photoshoot – Embracing the Out-of-Season Charm

Since it’s likely not Christmas yet (unless you’re reading this in December, in which case, lucky you!), setting up your artificial tree for an impromptu ornament photoshoot might be a bit much. So, for those eager to see their creations in action and capture that perfect shot, here’s a fun, optional step: venture outside until you find a pine tree or any evergreen that vaguely resembles a Christmas tree. Carefully hang your newly minted medal ornaments on its branches. Don’t forget to wink knowingly at your neighbors – who hasn’t hung Christmas ornaments outside in the summer with their good camera on hand, right? It’s all part of the creative process!

Alternative Hanging Method: Ornament Hooks for Ultimate Ease

If tying ribbons isn’t quite your speed, or if you prefer a more uniform look, metal ornament hooks offer an excellent alternative. Simply loop one through the opening on your medal. This method is incredibly fast – I’m talking faster than I can devour an 8-count of chicken nuggets, which for me is about 2.5 seconds flat! You can usually find sturdy ornament hooks at craft stores like JoAnn, or even upscale home decor shops like Pottery Barn. While they might be slightly thicker and a bit pricier than those flimsy paper-clip-looking options, they offer superior stability and a more refined aesthetic. I confess, I was “suckered” into buying a set from Pottery Barn a few years back, but in their defense, they’re quite cute, and I’m 87% sure they were worth the $9 I spent on them. They blend seamlessly with other ornaments and provide a clean, elegant way to display your sports medal display.

Beyond the Tree: Creative Display Ideas for Your Medal Ornaments

While the Christmas tree is a fantastic home for your newly transformed medal ornaments, don’t feel limited! These versatile pieces can add a touch of personal flair to other areas of your home during the holidays:

Garland Enhancement: Weave your medal ornaments into a festive garland on your mantelpiece or staircase railing. The metallic sheen of the medals will beautifully complement the greenery and lights.
Wreath Adornments: Attach your ornaments to a holiday wreath for your front door or an interior wall. It’s a welcoming and personal touch.
Decorative Bowl Filler: For a simpler display, arrange your medal ornaments in a clear glass bowl or hurricane vase, perhaps with some fairy lights or pinecones, as a unique centerpiece.
Gift Toppers: Attach a medal ornament to a gift for a fellow athlete or a loved one who supported your journey. It’s a thoughtful, personal touch that elevates any present.
Seasonal Wall Decor: Create a small gallery of your medal ornaments on a festive wall hanging or a decorative branch for a minimalist yet impactful display.

There are countless ways to showcase these meaningful mementos. They are more than just medals; they are stories, and stories deserve to be seen and shared.

The Joy of Personalized Christmas Decor

So, there you have it! An incredibly easy, fun, and meaningful DIY project that transforms neglected race medals into cherished Christmas ornaments. I know several athletic friends who could easily fill an entire tree with their impressive collection of medals. Heck, if “speed chicken nugget eating” were an Olympic sport worthy of a medal, I’d probably have a tree full myself! #dreambig, right?

This project is all about injecting your holiday season with personal history, celebrating triumphs, and making your home decor uniquely yours. It’s a small effort that yields significant emotional rewards and a truly memorable Christmas tree. We hope this tutorial inspires you to give your medals the spotlight they deserve this holiday season!

Further Inspiration for DIY Ornaments & Holiday Decor

We’re no strangers to ornament tutorials around these parts, and we love sharing ways to make your holiday decor special. If you’re looking for more creative ideas, check out these popular posts:

Discover how to make rustic wood slice ornaments for a natural touch.
Step back in time (and maybe cringe at our old photos from 2008!) with our guide to crafting glittered & feathered glass ornaments.
Learn how we whipped up an amazing 38 different homemade ornaments for our tabletop tree, perfect for a cozy, handmade feel.

Oh, and if you haven’t tuned into our latest podcast episode featuring the wonderful Tiffani Thiessen (she was incredibly nice and even played a fun “Saved By The Paint Colors” game with us!), you can find more information and learn “how to do podcasts” right here. It’s a great listen for design enthusiasts!

Update: Discover More Holiday Decor Finds You’ll Love!

For even more inspiration and to help you deck your halls with festive cheer, be sure to check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here. We’ve curated a collection of beautiful items, many of which are under $15, proving that stunning holiday style doesn’t have to break the bank. Happy decorating!