Ideas for swimming medals and ribbons

I honestly wish more race and meet directors would skip the ribbons and medals. They are just cheap trinkets. The fact that you have to think of something to do with them is itself the proof that they are unnecessary.

Very creative. I could go with the pillow idea. Mine are just framed on the wall.

I honestly wish more race and meet directors would skip the ribbons and medals. They are just cheap trinkets. The fact that you have to think of something to do with them is itself the proof that they are unnecessary.For me, I agree. However, this summer, I was introduced to a good 'recycling' program when my Dad used old Masters' medals as 'awards' for his grand-kids for a variety of goofy 'events' while on a family vacation. The kids really coveted the medals and it was cool to see a couple of my medals be way more valued by the kids than by me,

I have none from swimming, but as a runner 40+ years I do have a cardboard box full of medals, plaques, ribbons and assorted useless prize memorabilia. It's somewhere in the basement, I think. Haven't seen it in a while. On the other hand, I have a few age group awards I do use regularly. Hats, beer glasses, wine glasses, useful things.

I’ve seen where organizations that work with special needs kids take them and recycle to awards as well.

For me, I agree. However, this summer, I was introduced to a good 'recycling' program when my Dad used old Masters' medals as 'awards' for his grand-kids for a variety of goofy 'events' while on a family vacation. The kids really coveted the medals and it was cool to see a couple of my medals be way more valued by the kids than by me, We did the same at a family reunion. I downloaded the Olympic theme song and the Star Spangled Banner and played them when we handed out the medals. We made up enough age groups and events so that each of them won one. We had soft ball throw, high jump, broad jump, running, etc. The medals were all from the NJ Senior Games and I just took the sticky event/time off the back. They were fairly large and on red-white and blue ribbons so you could put them around their necks. Parents didn't realize I'd won them all 'til later. Kids loved it.

We did the same at a family reunion. I downloaded the Olympic theme song and the Star Spangled Banner and played them when we handed out the medals. We made up enough age groups and events so that each of them won one. We had soft ball throw, high jump, broad jump, running, etc. The medals were all from the NJ Senior Games and I just took the sticky event/time off the back. They were fairly large and on red-white and blue ribbons so you could put them around their necks. Parents didn't realize I'd won them all 'til later. Kids loved it. I don't swim as fast as I use to. The two medals I won last year at the senior Olympics in Tucson in the 50 and 100 yard breaststroke are cool.