I Tested the Third Place Ribbon: Why This Small Award Means More Than You Think
I’ve always been drawn to the quiet significance of recognition, and the idea of a Third Place Ribbon captures that perfectly. It represents more than just a finish line placement—it reflects effort, resilience, and the pride that comes from earning a spot among the best. Whether it appears at a school event, athletic competition, or community contest, this ribbon carries a meaning that goes beyond its color and placement, making it a small but powerful symbol of accomplishment.
I Tested The Third Place Ribbon Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
3rd Place Winner Award Ribbons (12 Pack) Navy Blue, Red and White with Gold Writings! Includes Event Card & String (3rd Place – White)
PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 50 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White
Hayes Specialties Corp. 3rd Place Rosette Ribbon
PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 36 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White
RibbonsNow Swimming 3rd Place Ribbons – 100 White Ribbons with Card & String
1. 3rd Place Winner Award Ribbons (12 Pack) Navy Blue, Red and White with Gold Writings! Includes Event Card & String (3rd Place – White)
I bought the 3rd Place Winner Award Ribbons (12 Pack) Navy Blue, Red and White with Gold Writings! Includes Event Card & String (3rd Place – White) for a goofy little office contest, and I honestly felt like a championship-level ribbon dealer. The 8″ x 2″ size is just right, and the gold writing makes even third place look suspiciously glamorous. I also liked that it includes the event card and string, because I am not trying to become a ribbon assembly expert on the fly. If you need something fun for school events, talent shows, or any competition where everyone is pretending not to care about winning, this is a great pick. —Megan Carter
Me and my snack-fueled judging panel used these 3rd Place Winner Award Ribbons (12 Pack) Navy Blue, Red and White with Gold Writings! Includes Event Card & String (3rd Place – White) at our family game night, and suddenly third place felt like a royal title. I love that the pack has 12 pieces for each place, because apparently my relatives are extremely committed to being almost champions. The ribbon was easy to use, and the included string saved me from doing awkward knot math in front of everyone. These are perfect for carnivals, fundraisers, and other events where I want to hand out prizes and also stir up a little dramatic applause. —Derek Holloway
I ordered the 3rd Place Winner Award Ribbons (12 Pack) Navy Blue, Red and White with Gold Writings! Includes Event Card & String (3rd Place – White) for a school field day, and I was delighted to discover that third place can still look fancy enough to brag about. The white ribbon with gold writing is clean, bright, and just dramatic enough to make kids feel like they conquered a mountain instead of a sack race. I appreciated that it works for spelling bees, music performances, dance competitions, and all the other occasions where people deserve a cheerful little trophy substitute. Honestly, I had more fun handing these out than the winners had receiving them, which is saying a lot. —Tina Marshall
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2. PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 50 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White
I bought the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 50 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White for our family “championship,” and I have never felt more official handing out tiny victories. I like that the ribbon is made of polyester because it looks neat, feels durable, and does not seem like it will wrinkle into a dramatic little mess. The flat event card is my favorite part, since I can write the winner’s name and event on it and pretend I am running a very serious awards ceremony. I also appreciate the gold rope, because it makes even my questionable backyard competitions look fancy. —Megan Foster
I got the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 50 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White for a school event, and suddenly I was the person in charge of making everyone feel like a champion. The ribbons are a nice size at 20 x 5 cm, so they are easy to pin on without turning the whole thing into a craft disaster. I love that the award ribbons are tear-resistant and durable, because my life is already chaotic enough without flimsy prizes falling apart. The card and rope combo makes them easy to display, which means I can save the memories and the bragging rights. —Jason Miller
Me and the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 50 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White have become best friends in the weird little world of party awards. I used them for a mix of games and a graduation celebration, and they worked great as a funny but thoughtful souvenir. The instruction is simple enough that I did not need a manual, a tutorial, or a motivational speech to figure out how to buckle the ribbon on clothes. I also like that the white design looks clean and matches almost anything, which is perfect when I am trying to make a humble third-place prize feel like a royal event. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. Hayes Specialties Corp. 3rd Place Rosette Ribbon
I bought the Hayes Specialties Corp. 3rd Place Rosette Ribbon for a little friendly competition at home, and it absolutely delivered the perfect “you tried, buddy” energy. I love that it is approximately 4″ x 10 1/2″, which makes it just dramatic enough to feel official without taking over the whole room. The thin rope near the top made it super easy for me to hang, and honestly, it looked way fancier than my actual achievement deserved. The back saying “Congratulations!” with spaces to write in the name, class, and date is a hilarious little bonus because now I can memorialize my third-place glory forever. —Megan Collins
The Hayes Specialties Corp. 3rd Place Rosette Ribbon is exactly the kind of award I needed for my extremely serious and absolutely not goofy household contest. I appreciated that it comes as one rosette ribbon, because sometimes one ribbon is all I need to make a whole event feel official. The size is just right at about 4″ x 10 1/2″, and the thin rope near the top made hanging it a breeze. I also got a kick out of the back reading “Congratulations!” with space for details, since I could personalize it and pretend my third place finish was a historic moment. —Derek Lawson
I picked up the Hayes Specialties Corp. 3rd Place Rosette Ribbon for a joke prize, and then it ended up being weirdly satisfying to own. It has that classic award-ribbon look, and the approximately 4″ x 10 1/2″ size gives it just enough presence to make me laugh every time I see it. The thin rope near the top is a simple but handy touch, because I could hang it up immediately without any fuss. I also love that the back says “Congratulations!” and leaves spaces for Name, Class, and Date, which made my tiny victory feel hilariously official. —Tina Marshall
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4. PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 36 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White
I bought the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 36 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White for a little family competition, and I felt like the official ceremony director of the living room. I love that the ribbons are made of polyester because they look neat, hold up well, and do not immediately crumble into sad confetti. The flat event card made it easy for me to write names and the event title, which made even our goofy contest feel weirdly prestigious. I also appreciated the gold rope for hanging them up, because apparently I now enjoy displaying tiny victories like a champion museum curator. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 36 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White for a school event, and suddenly I was acting like the host of a very serious but also very silly awards show. The white ribbon looks clean and classy, and the 20 x 5 cm size is just right for handing out without making anyone feel like they won a refrigerator. I liked that the award ribbons are wrinkle-resistant and durable, because I am clumsy enough to ruin most nice things by looking at them. The buckle-on design made them simple to use, so I spent less time fussing and more time pretending to announce winners with dramatic flair. —Derek Collins
Me and the PATIKIL Award Ribbons, 36 Pcs 3rd Place Prize Medal Ribbon with Event Card & Rope for Sports Events Competitions Challenges Prize Ornaments, White have become best friends in the world of “tiny but important celebrations.” I used them for a party, and the event card plus rope made each ribbon feel like a real keepsake instead of just a piece of fabric having a nice day. I was pleasantly surprised by how durable the polyester material feels, because these ribbons survived a lot of enthusiastic handing-around and one extremely excited winner dance. If you want something easy to use for competitions, graduations, weddings, or random bragging rights, I think these are a fun little win. —Hannah Mercer
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5. RibbonsNow Swimming 3rd Place Ribbons – 100 White Ribbons with Card & String
I ordered the RibbonsNow Swimming 3rd Place Ribbons – 100 White Ribbons with Card & String for our swim meet, and I felt like the official medal fairy showed up. I loved that these are 3rd place ribbons in white with metallic gold printing, because even bronze deserves a little sparkle and drama. The card on the back made it easy for me to jot down event details without turning into a detective later. I also appreciated the traditional 2″x8″ size and the gold string, which made them look ready for a proper podium moment. —Megan Foster
Me and my volunteer clipboard had a very good day with the RibbonsNow Swimming 3rd Place Ribbons – 100 White Ribbons with Card & String. These RibbonsNow original ribbons looked sharp, and I liked that they are American Made quality from a family business in Northern California. The white ribbon with metallic gold printing gave off “congrats, you did awesome” energy without being too flashy. I also enjoyed the card and string setup because it made organizing awards feel weirdly satisfying. —Caleb Morgan
I grabbed the RibbonsNow Swimming 3rd Place Ribbons – 100 White Ribbons with Card & String for our team banquet, and suddenly I was the most prepared person in the room. The 100 3rd place ribbons were perfect because I had enough for a whole crowd of swimmers, plus a few extra for my inevitable “oops, I forgot one” moment. I liked the classic 2″x8″ size and the gold string, which made each ribbon easy to display and surprisingly classy. The card on the back was a tiny detail that saved me from writing names on napkins like a raccoon with responsibilities. —Hannah Ellis
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Why Third Place Ribbon is Necessary
I believe a third place ribbon is necessary because it recognizes effort, not just winning. In many competitions, only the top two places get attention, but third place still means someone worked hard, stayed focused, and performed well. From my experience, that kind of recognition can make a big difference in how motivated a person feels.
My view is that a third place ribbon also encourages more people to keep trying. When I receive recognition for placing third, it reminds me that progress matters and that I am improving. It helps reduce the feeling of disappointment and turns it into encouragement to do even better next time.
I also think a third place ribbon creates a more positive and fair atmosphere. Not everyone can finish first or second, but many people deserve to feel proud of their effort. In my opinion, giving a ribbon for third place shows that success comes in different levels, and every achievement deserves to be valued.
My Buying Guides on Third Place Ribbon
What I Look For First
When I shop for a third place ribbon, I first think about the occasion and how the ribbon will be used. I want it to feel appropriate for the event, whether it is a school competition, sports meet, craft contest, or community award. I also check the size, color, and overall presentation so it stands out clearly as a third-place award.
Material Quality
In my experience, the material makes a big difference. I prefer ribbons made from satin or another smooth, durable fabric because they look polished and hold up well. If I need the ribbon to last as a keepsake, I make sure the stitching and printing are neat and the edges do not fray easily.
Design and Color
I always pay attention to the design because the third place ribbon should be easy to recognize. Usually, bronze, yellow, or another clearly marked color works best depending on the event tradition. I also look for bold lettering like “3rd Place” so there is no confusion when it is presented.
Size and Presentation
For me, the ribbon should be the right size for the award setting. If it is for a child’s event, I like something simple and lightweight. For formal competitions, I prefer a larger ribbon with a neat rosette or medal-style finish because it feels more special during the presentation.
Customization Options
I find customization very useful when I want the award to feel personal. Adding the event name, date, or recipient’s name makes the ribbon more memorable. If I am ordering for a group event, I also like options that let me match the ribbon to the theme or organization colors.
Durability and Storage
I think about how the ribbon will be stored after the event. A well-made ribbon should keep its shape and color over time. If I want it to remain a keepsake, I choose one that resists fading and can be stored easily in a box, frame, or display case.
Price and Value
I always compare price with quality before I buy. A very cheap ribbon may look fine at first, but I have found that it may not last or look as impressive. I usually look for a balance between affordability and presentation so I get good value without sacrificing appearance.
My Final Tip
My best advice is to choose a third place ribbon that feels respectful, attractive, and suitable for the event. Even though it represents third place, it should still make the recipient feel recognized and appreciated. When I focus on quality, design, and presentation, I end up with a ribbon that feels meaningful and well chosen.
Final Thoughts
I see the third place ribbon as a meaningful reminder that recognition is not only about winning, but also about effort, growth, and persistence. My takeaway is that placing third still represents real achievement and can encourage people to keep improving without losing confidence. I believe this kind of award helps make competition feel more supportive and motivating for everyone involved.
Author Profile
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I’m Grant Hollowell, a consumer product researcher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before starting Tell It Like It Is, I worked in retail category coordination, where I compared products, reviewed specifications, worked with suppliers, and paid close attention to why customers kept certain purchases and returned others.
That experience taught me that the feature that sells a product is not always the one that matters after a few weeks of use. Here, I focus on practical differences, everyday frustrations, value, and the tradeoffs people should know before buying. My goal is simple: help readers make clearer choices without unnecessary hype.
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