DIY Life

My oldest son recently received his first medal. It was a participation award from his four year-old soccer league. He was over the top ecstatic. I tend to shy away from competitive children's activities, but there was a real pride in my son when he got this medal. He didn't need to be the only one, or have a ranking on it; he was thrilled to be acknowledged, and loved the idea of having a special award as a keepsake.

These homemade medallions can be a great way to celebrate achievement, or simply honor one another. Let the children make them on their own, or surprise them with a special one made by you. Either way, it is sure to be a cherished token.

Here's what you'll need:

• Lid from a tin can - Make sure your can opener doesn't leave sharp edges
  
• Hot glue gun
• Ribbon
• Embellishments of your choice

Check out the gallery to see how ours turned out, and follow me through the break for instructions.

Are you tired of going to the same old events all the time? You are not alone. Many people have a hard time finding fun and interesting things to do, without spending a ton of money. Buying the tickets to get into events can cost a lot of money, and just doesn't seem worth the time.


If you like to travel, then the only cost of these events to you would be traveling expenses, and we all know how the cost of gasoline is these days. If you like to stay closer to home, check your local area chamber of commerce to find out what special upcoming events your community may be hosting. Our local paper always has a list of community events for the new week. Every spring we receive a schedule of events for the entire year. With a little imagination and no strain on the pocketbook, you can have a great and memorable time for next to nothing.