Creative Medal Design Ideas for Annual Celebrations
There are numerous innovative designs for medals that can serve as thoughtful gifts for various occasions, including the following:
Family-Themed Medals
A family-oriented keychain can be a memorable gift. This can be easily created by printing a cherished family photo or a special memory on any printer available at home or a local print shop. Then, purchase specific supplies such as a transparent double-sided plastic frame that can hold two pictures—one on each side—as well as two rings: a small one to connect the frame and a larger one for keychain attachment. Securely fasten the rings with pliers for durability. To enhance the personal touch, consider adding a handwritten note or a delightful drawing made by a child, offering it as a token of appreciation to a parent or any family member during an annual celebration.
Custom Style Medals
Creating unique medals can also be accomplished using affordable and readily available materials at home. For instance, a distinctive modeling clay medal can be crafted by combining several compatible colors of clay, rolling it out to an even thickness of about three millimeters, and then shaping it using cookie cutters according to the occasion—such as a rose or heart for Mother’s Day or a sports-themed design for sports enthusiasts. After making a hole at one end with a needle, bake the clay according to the package instructions, then attach a keyring, making it ready to gift.
Recycled Medals
A unique medal can be made by repurposing clear plastic items. For this project, you will need a keyring, chain, a piece of plastic, permanent markers, a hole punch, and pliers. Begin by preheating your oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Draw any design or image on the plastic using permanent markers, then cut out the image and punch a hole where the keychain will be attached. Place the image on a baking sheet for 20 seconds to two minutes, depending on the image size, flipping it for a few seconds afterward. Once cooled, attach it to the keyring with pliers.
Additional Unique Medal Ideas
Classic Beaded Medals with Leather Straps
A simple yet elegant option involves tying a leather cord to a keyring and threading several circular wooden beads in vibrant colors or creating your own color combinations. Once secured, this easy-to-make medal is ready for gifting, and you can create multiples to share with friends and family.
Animal-Shaped Medals
These playful medals are both budget-friendly and charming. Purchase a bag of plastic animals and select a specific type, such as a horse, monkey, or elephant. Insert a round-headed screw through one to attach it to a keyring, and enhance its appearance with your favorite spray paint.
Clay Medals
Using polymer clay as mentioned previously, you can shape them into fun fruit designs such as apples, lemons, or pears, bake them, and finish with a coating of varnish before gifting them to friends.
Thread and Bead Medals
Consider creating tassel-like medals which can be coordinated with the color of a bag or other accessories. Using any type of cotton twine, tie the ends with thinner thread, and fray the cotton to create a unique tassel effect for the medal.
Felt Fabric Medals
Felt fabric medals offer a delightful gift option. These can be crafted by cutting the fabric into desired shapes and colors, sewing them together, and stuffing them with cotton or wool for added depth.
Resin Medals
Resin medals continue to gain popularity as a unique gifting option. To add a personal touch, consider printing a map or image of a cherished memory, such as a favorite travel spot with loved ones. Place it in a special keychain holder, then pour resin on top to achieve a beautiful and professional finish for the medal.