Awards

What do you do with awards, trophies, ribbons, plaques, and such?  If you have had children who are athletes, you collect many trophies (even if they never won a game…but that's another discussion).

Often, the person's name is engraved upon the trophy or award.  Can you just throw them away if your children leave home and just happen to leave the 25 trophies in their closets?   Realize that old awards become clutter eventually.

Here are some suggestions I found in my readings:
1.  Take photos of them if you don't already have one of the recipient receiving the award, then toss or donate
2.  Call around to trophy or award shops to see if they recycle them; I read about some places who do, removing the engraved plate and replacing it
3.  Sometimes community events or schools wish to give trophies and take donations
4.  Someone made a wall rack for hanging coats by using the upper halves of the trophies as the hooks. Seems like a lot of work to me, but if you are crafty, this might be an option.
5.  Ribbons can be used in crafts; they are expensive to buy new in bulk, so someone might want your old ribbons if you donate them to a thrift store!
6.  You can always take trophies to a place like Goodwill, probably removing the name plate, and people who want them can snatch them up.

Consider parting ways with the awards.  The memories can suffice and your home will have less clutter.