Wrap recognitions is festive packages

Put recognitions on pipe cleaner stems in a flower pot

Put recognitions in a plastic egg for a springtime ceremony

Put recognitions from the World of the Out-Of-Doors

On leafy branches or pine boughs
In a bandana on a stick
On a natural wood plaque

 

Put recognitions from the World of People

On a paper doll chain
Attached to international flags

 

Put recognitions from the World of Well Being

On cardboard hearts
On tongue depressors

 

Put recognitions from the World of Today and Tommorow

On paper airplanes
Attached to pencils or rulers

 

Put recognitions from the World of the Arts

Attached to paintbrushes or sheet music
In crayon boxes
Strung on balloons
With a photograph of something girls did

or

1) Cut a trefoil (with or w/o Brownie depending on age level) template about the size of the GS cookie cutter. a dry cleaner's shirt board works great for the template. use this to cut a trefoil for each girl out of heavy yellow construction paper. Cut two lengths of 1" grosgrain ribbon (again, the color depends on the age level) to accommodate all their Try-its/Badges, bridging patch, wings, Jr. Aide patch, etc. Attach the two lengths of ribbon to the back of the trefoil to resemble a "blue ribbon". I use hot glue for this, as well as to attach the patches to the ribbon. You could always use a stapler as well. The year pin (star) and any other pins, like the GS pin if they are bridging to Jrs. or their leadership pins, etc. (here in Hawaii we also have honor troop pins) are pinned right through the trefoil. The girls name and, if there's room, a list of the patches, is written on the back of the trefoil. A nice way to present these to the girls, especially at a more formal court of awards ceremony. 2) Use self adhesive labels and snack size (now that they're available!!) ziploc bags. write the girl's name and list the try-its/badges and patches on the label and affix to a bag, one for each girl. When each girl is called to receive her patches, she gives the GS handshake and is handed the bag. This works especially well for little one. 3) Make ribbon leis (the girls catch on very quickly making these and really enjoy it--at least for the first one or two!). I've seen try-its/badges stapled to the ribbon lei and presented as a flower lei would be. the leader places over the girl's head and then gives a quick hug and/or cheek or ear kiss. the great thing about ribbon leis is that after the ceremony, the girls can snip about a 3" or 4" length off the lei, knot it at both ends and use a small safety pin to create "swap" or a bookmark to remind them of their ceremony years later. 4) Staple the girls try-its onto a ribbon to be draped and pinned on each girl as she received her awards. The girls' name is called, she steps forward and ribbon is pinned to the girl in a "Miss America" fashion, opposite the direction of her sash. 5) List try-its worked on in the program that the girls create. 6) Buy cheap ribbon and cut it the length needed to fit all the Try-its, patches and pins. Staple badges to ribbon. Put the annual star pin at the top and use that to pin it to the girls during ceremony. Sometimes the ribbons is as long as they are tall.