Deck the Halls with Shiny Medals …
… Fa la la la la, la la la la.
If you’ve been running for a while, chances are, you’ve racked up some race bling (or you will if you’re just starting out). It’s easy to let our finisher medals begin stacking up in a drawer collecting dust. Or just hang on a wall somewhere that we glance at every now and then but never really look at. Every single medal you earn is a victory. A memory. Something to be proud of and thankful for. Each one is a badge of honor that reminds you that you’re capable of anything you dream you can do.
And Christmas is the chance to blow the dust off those medals and let your awesomeness shine. Several years ago, I started using my race medals as Christmas ornaments. It is fun to unwrap each one when the tree goes up. One by one, I remember a race. The people who were with me. The things that made my heart soar and the challenges that I overcame. Using my medals as ornaments gives me a month every year to think about all I’ve accomplished, all I’ve learned and all I still want to do.
Of course we have a real tree.
But now we also have a mini-tree just for race medals that sits on our dining room cabinet. All you have to do is double loop the ribbon on the medal and tie a knot, creating a loop to hang on the tree.
Why you need a medal Christmas tree (if you celebrate Christmas) …
- It makes for a good conversation starter when you have guests.
- It gives you something to do with your medals and a place to store them throughout the year.
- It provides the chance to remember and reflect on each race you’ve finished as you unwrap them from your ornament box one by one.
- It’s a constant reminder during the month of December about what a bad ass you are.
- It serves as a constant reminder during the holidays of the goals you want to achieve in the New Year (so you can add more bling to the tree, of course).
Still on the hunt for gifts for the runners in your life? Check out my holiday gift guide for runners to fit any budget!
What do you do with your race medals? Have you ever used them as ornaments?
Comments
What a cute idea for race medals! Love it.
Thanks so much Amy!!!
I have my few medals on the tree now! I can’t wait to collect some more and start a little tree just for medals 🙂
Yay, Karen! This is the first year I’ve had a separate tree for medals. They used to be on our “real” tree, but there were starting to be enough to create a special medal tree. Good luck with yours next year 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas.
I love this idea. I would have never thought of this. All my race medals are just sitting in a box, with the exception of a few that I’ve hung on my inpsiration wall. Some of the medals are really cool too, this would be a great way to display them!
Glad you like the idea, Sarah! I think the best part is taking a moment to look at each medal each year and remember the race and the memories. If you end up creating one, don’t forget to share a picture 🙂 And I love that you have an inspiration wall. THAT sounds like a great idea. Happy Holidays!!!
I love this idea 🙂 I only have 3 medals so far! For some reason, 2 of the races I ran I received a plaque and a trophy and those aren a little difficult fitting on the tree. haha! The bf on the other hand has more than enough to decorate, but we have a little 4′ tree and probably too many ornaments already. I do want to hang them soon since they are all collecting dust on a shelf.
Love this idea! I’ve been meaning to get something to hang up my medals and this reminded me that it would be a great gift idea to give someone for me! 🙂
I was trying to figure out what to do with my husband’s stockpile of medals, and I happened upon your blog. I love your idea! Medals would make beautiful ornaments. Unwrapping them each Christmas is a way to re-live those running moments. I hope that my husband agrees.
[…] Runladylike had a post about how to use your marathon finisher’s medals as ornaments. I thought that was such a great idea that I tried it today. Success! Now my tree is blingy too. […]