Sometimes a tiny aside becomes the part of a story everyone cares about most. That happened to us when we mentioned, almost casually, that we turn John’s race medals into Christmas tree ornaments after his third triathlon. We shared a post on Instagram and Facebook with a cheeseball caption—“Third triathlon complete for this beast (and yes, we make Christmas ornaments for our tree from his medals, because we are nerds).”—and readers immediately wanted the details. So here’s a clear, simple how-to for turning race medals into holiday ornaments. It’s quick, inexpensive, and oddly satisfying.
The idea originally came from a “Tacky Light Run” John participated in a few seasons back. Those neighborhood night runs are famous for over-the-top decorations, and the medals they give out look just like ornaments. The medals arrived on thick ribbons, but the shape and sentiment were perfect for hanging on the tree. From there it was only a short leap to converting the rest of John’s medal collection into keepsake decorations.
This project is ideal for anyone who likes quick, satisfying crafts that don’t require a lot of supplies or skill. You can absolutely do it while watching a show, chatting with a friend, or waiting for dinner to finish. It takes minutes per medal and results in a meaningful, displayable piece of memory decor.
Here are the straightforward steps to transform medals into ornaments:
Step 1: Gather the medals and check with the person who earned them to make sure they’re okay with altering them. Often, medals just sit in a box and never get displayed—this gives them new life.
Step 2: Cut the original thick ribbon threaded through the medal so you can swap it out for a thinner, more tree-friendly ribbon. You can use new ribbon or repurpose ribbon saved from past gifts—both look great.
Step 3: Cut a short length of your chosen ribbon—ours are about 7 inches long—loop it through the medal where the old ribbon used to be, and tie a tight double knot. Trim any excess ribbon for a tidy appearance.
Step 4: Admire your handiwork. These medals make charming, personal ornaments that evoke memories of races, training, and accomplishments. Hang them among your other seasonal ornaments or dedicate a special branch to athletic achievements.
Step 5 (optional): If you want photos of your new ornaments in natural light but don’t want to set up a tree in the middle of summer, you can hang them on an outdoor pine or evergreen for a quick seasonal photo shoot. It makes for a fun, candid way to show off the ornaments before the holidays.
Bonus option: If ribbon isn’t your style, use a metal ornament hook. Slide the hook through the medal’s loop and hang it directly on the branch. Thicker hooks are easy to find at craft stores and tend to stay put nicely. They offer a clean, classic look and save time compared with tying ribbon.
That’s all there is to it. The process is fast, low-effort, and turns forgotten medals into meaningful holiday decor. If you or friends have lots of races under your belt, you could easily fill a whole tree with medals—an instant conversation starter and a year-round reminder of hard work and good times. Happy crafting, and may your ornament stash grow as quickly as your collection of memories.
Note: We love making ornaments in many ways. Over the years we’ve played with wood slice ornaments, glittered glass ornaments, and created dozens of homemade designs for a tabletop tree. These simple medal ornaments are just one more easy option for personal, handmade holiday decor.