Choices, choices, choices! What to do when a jacket won’t do

A true classic, the varsity jacket communicates achievement, skill, and prestige all at once. It’s an obvious choice for displaying hard-earned chenille patches, pins, medals—and the varsity letter, of course. But what if a jacket is not exactly your student’s style, or if you live somewhere warm, where a jacket won’t get much use? Or perhaps you have one stuffed in the back of a closet and you haven’t seen it for years? Fear not, waste not—students have a few different ways to display the accolades they’ve received, whether in sports, music, academics, school clubs, or all of the above! Here are three of our favorite options.

Reminiscent of the banners displayed in schools, our custom recognition banners for individual students are a great way for students and graduates to remember their school achievements and even showcase those accomplishments at graduation open houses. Constructed of high-grade felt and trimmed in a contrasting border color, these colorful banners are 18 x 24 inches, providing plenty of space for all the patches, pins, and medals that a student has received. They include a dowel rod and cord, making them especially easy to exhibit. Both parents and students like this option as a budget-friendly alternative to varsity jackets. Also, the lightweight material makes moving or storing these banners a breeze.

Perhaps you would like something with more of an enduring quality to commemorate your school accomplishments and special memories? Consider a shadow box display case. These can be bought or built at nearly any size, and recognition items can be arranged in a way that really reflects the personality of the student. Shadow boxes are also a great option for showcasing certificates that a student has received, or even team photos—keepsakes that obviously can’t be included on a varsity jacket and recognition banner. Here are a few examples of varsity letter shadow box displays to provide inspiration.

For those who want to wrap themselves up in good memories, a cozy blanket may be the perfect option! Our soft, comfortable blankets can be monogrammed with your choice of embroidery color and style. Add your chenille patches and pins for further personalization. Check out our catalog for more information about our blankets, and get ready to experience the same warm and fuzzy feeling that you got when you first earned your varsity letter.