Sometimes a small aside becomes the part people ask about most. That happened when we posted a cheeseball photo after John’s third triathlon a couple of months ago with the caption: “Third triathlon complete for this beast (and yes, we make Christmas ornaments for our tree from his medals, because we are nerds).” The ornament remark unexpectedly stole the show—so here’s a clear, simple guide on turning race medals into Christmas ornaments.
We were surprised by how many readers wanted instructions and photos, so here’s the quick, no-fuss tutorial. This is an easy craft you can finish while watching TV—perfect for busy people who still want meaningful, homemade Christmas ornaments made from race medals.
Below are a few photos and step-by-step instructions to help you convert medals from triathlons, fun runs, half marathons, and other races into ornaments you can hang on your tree. The process is fast, low-cost, and preserves the memory behind each medal while making it part of your holiday decor.
We first thought of this when John ran a “Tacky Light Run” a few Christmases ago—those neighborhood night runs where people go all out with holiday lights. The medals they handed out already looked like ornaments, so we tried hanging one on the tree and loved how it looked. From there it made sense to turn more of his medals into ornaments rather than letting them gather dust in a box.
Here are the super simple steps to make medal ornaments:
Step 1: Collect the medals you want to use. Check with the person who earned them to make sure they’re okay with altering them—John was happy to have these displayed instead of boxed up.
Step 2: Carefully cut the original thick ribbon threaded through the medal. Most race ribbons are sturdy, but removing them makes it easier to attach a more seasonal ribbon or hanging option.
Step 3: Choose a new ribbon—use ribbon you’ve saved from gifts or buy festive ribbon in holiday colors. Cut a short length (we use about 7″ long), loop it through the medal’s top hole, and secure it with a tight double knot so it hangs securely.
Step 4: Hang the finished ornament on your tree and enjoy the memory it represents. These medals make excellent personalized ornaments and a meaningful addition to holiday decor.
Step 5 (optional): If you want to photograph them before the holidays, you don’t need to set up your full tree—just find a pine or evergreen outside that looks tree-like and take a few quick pictures. It’s an easy way to preview how the medals will look on the actual tree.
Bonus option: If you prefer metal ornament hooks, simply loop a hook through the medal’s hoop and hang it that way. Thicker hooks from higher-end retailers can feel sturdier and look a bit nicer than the thin wire hooks you might already have, but any hook that fits will work.
That’s it—simple, fast, and sentimental. If you or a friend have a lot of medals, they can fill an entire tree and create a unique holiday statement. These medal ornaments also make thoughtful gifts for runners, triathletes, or anyone who appreciates meaningful, handmade decor.
Psst — we’ve shared other ornament tutorials before, including ones made from wood slices, glittered and feathered glass, and a collection of homemade ornaments for a tabletop tree. We also occasionally share favorite holiday decor picks and podcast episodes that discuss DIY projects and decorating ideas.
Update: We’ve also rounded up some favorite holiday decor finds—many budget-friendly if you’re looking for more ornament and tree decorating inspiration.