How to Preserve/Display Your Graduation Cap and Tassel

All of the keepsakes from college were out on the bed as I tried to decide what to do with my cap, my tassel, and my diploma. I also had a graduation invitation and one special napkin. (I will explain the napkin later). I started moving the items around on the bed, imagining in my mind these items on the wall. Still no luck, then it hit me, a shadow box, but better, enclosed on the front with glass. I have had something like it done before with some special flowers I wanted to preserve.

It is a time-honored tradition for each young graduate to place their tassel from graduation on the rear view mirror of their car. I remember a guy from school who bought a rear view mirror for his "hoopty car" just so he would have a place to hang his tassel!! Crazy Kids!! Now, if you plan to keep your tassel as a keepsake, and you insist on displaying your tassel in your car, just go ahead and buy two tassels. One week of sun exposure will change the color of the tassel, just ask me, I know. Tassels are one of the cheaper costs of graduation and are well worth the money. Moreover, it is easier and less expensive to order an extra tassel with your graduation order than to try to order after the fact.

Idea: Get it Framed!! If meeting your goal of graduating from college is as important to you as it is to me, then you need to read this idea. After graduation, when the paychecks are rolling in...haha...oh, and you have found your dream job...do you really want to look back at your diploma covered in dust, in the original cover, beaten and torn, unrecognizable, sad, lonely? You get the picture. Here is a great idea that keeps your prized diploma, cap and tassel safe and sound. It also works well for cords or other pins and such.

It's a custom-made shadow box type of frame that allows extra room between the backing and the front glass for the tassel and cap. The tassel and cap are pinned to the backing, which is usually a felt type material. Black, gold, maroon, navy, white, red or green are all good colors, just pick a matching color to your cap/tassel or a black or white. Black would work for just about any school. Most "mom and pop" type framing shops have the time to show you what will look good. Choose a frame that is your personality and will match your other furnishings depending on what room earns the right to display such a work of art!! Put a nail with a hanger in the wall and presto.

The type shadow box frame I am talking about is approximately 2 ½" deep. Here are two links for a commercialized version of a similar idea.

http://www.redenvelope.com

http://www.chrisuniversityspirit.com

Oh, wait, I forgot to explain the napkin. (Keep in mind I was working fifty plus hours a week and taking 21+ hours at a SR. University) Right before graduation, when I felt like I had no get up and go left, a friend invited me over to her place for hamburgers as a moral booster. The bar at her house was decorated with these napkins, such a beautiful navy blue color. I lifted my glass of tea to reveal some words on that napkin that made my day..."I hope my ship comes in before my dock rots". I laughed so hard and found my second wind. That napkin has been with me since.