I am always amazed by the amount of “stuff” that accumulates in our home.  Papers, crayons, McDonalds Happy Meal toys, birthday party goodie bag toys, balloons, keychains – you name it, we inadvertently collect it!  I’m pretty good about going through all of these things to pare the quantity down to what is really necessary {which in some cases, is ZERO!}, but there is one collection growing in our home at an alarming rate and this one just cannot be pared down.

Now that summer is underway, my kids are back in the swing of their summer hobby – collecting swim ribbons!  For those without kids on swim team, let me fill you in so that you can better appreciate the sheer quantity that multiplies each week.  The kids get ribbons for each race they are in, and my daughter often has about 9-10 races per week and my son about 6.  That’s 16 ribbons a week making their way into my home!  My son likes to just keep his in a pile in his room, but my daughter has been asking how we can display her ribbons, not just in her room, but around the house.  I am of course thrilled to include her ribbons in the home, but the selfish practical side of me wants them to look stylish and decorative while on display, so I was on the hunt for ideas this week.  No matter the type of ribbon or medal you might have, there are some beautiful and creative ways to show off your accomplishments while ensuring that they blend with your existing decor.

 

Simple & Organized

This is just a simple drape using a string or small rope, but with all of the ribbons sorted by color and aligned neatly, the ribbons become a beautiful display.  {Granted, it doesn’t hurt that in this picture, the ribbons color coordinate with the mud room accessories and clothing items…}

{via Country Living}
{via Country Living}

 

Collage It!

Another option is to create a collage and frame it, either in a simple frame or a shadow box.

{via Country Living}
{via Country Living}

 

I could probably even incorporate something like this into my family room gallery wall since it’s already a bit eclectic.

Tidbits&Twine Gallery Wall 3c AFTER
{via Tidbits&Twine TV Gallery Wall Reveal}

The only downside to framing the ribbons, though, is that we can’t easily turn them over to get the details of event, which are always printed on the backs of the ribbons.  Which brings me to this next idea.

 

Wall Art

While I don’t personally have a spot for this, it is so beautiful in KariAnne’s play room that I just had to share.  This is an herb drying rack that has been hung on the wall and repurposed to be a medal/ribbon display.

 

{via Thistlewood Farm}
{via Thistlewood Farms}

 

Apothecary Jars

Apothecary jars are so practical and so functional and can easily be used to display ribbons and medals, maybe in a media room or as part of a vignette on a coffee table.

Apothecary Jar with Ribbons
{via Life Tastes Good}

 

Frame ‘Em

I was also thinking that it might be nice to pick maybe the three ribbons my daughter is most proud of and frame them separately as a trio of images similar to the framed coins below.  The other ribbons she could then display in her room.European Intaglios

 

I’m leaning toward doing a simple hanging display in our laundry room, since that’s how we go to and from the garage and the kids can then see their accomplishments several times a day.  I might also place a few on shelves or near stacks of books to use decoratively.  In my daughter’s room, I’m planning to add a row of decorative knobs to the wall so she can can them up neatly.

 

What would you do?

 

Tidbits&Twine - Signature

 

 

 

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One Comment

  1. Taylor Bishop says:

    Thanks for these ideas for displaying ribbons. I hadn’t considered that you could potentially collage it and have them in a frame or a shadow box. Looking at the images, it seems like it would be most beneficial to do it with ribbons that are similar in color, especially since it seems pleasing to the eye and isn’t too distracting.

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