Create a Wristband

Sometimes occasion requires special kinds of personalized wristbands or apparel to grab the attention of your friends, family, and those around you. Sure, you've seen people wear all kinds of things to celebrate unity, affection, or to simply show off a bit of personality. Just think—t-shirts, key chains, stickers, buttons, hats, ribbons, you name it. All of these have been used as symbols of joining a group, following a cause, or exhibiting personality. But you're probably thinking—been there, done that. And besides, t-shirts are boring and usually ugly, key chains are clunky and obnoxious, stickers fall off and only last a day, hats ruin your hair, and buttons have that nasty pin that ruins your shirt AND pokes you in the chest. So what could you possibly wear that doesn't drive you crazy but is still fun, attractive, and is noticeable? Why not create a wristband?

You've probably seen others wearing them—thin, silicon-based wristbands that stretch over your wrist. They usually have names or slogans imprinted in them and they come in all colors. In many ways, they are like a bracelet, but there's no need to worry about them getting scratched or broken like most bracelets. They stretch over any wrist and they are cheap so you can get one for many different occasions. But you're probably thinking, you said ‘create'! Do I actually CREATE a wristband?

Yes! Well, sort of. Of course, you don't have to do all the hard work with the expensive machines. When you create a wristband, you just have to decide how you will want it to look and what you want it to say. Seriously, this is your chance to be creative and have fun. Do you have a family reunion coming up? Creating wristbands with the family name can be a fun way to remember the moment.  Maybe you have a group of friends who want to join a pact—why not create unifying wristbands that show who's in? Or maybe there is a cause you want to support or you are in a club or on a sports team that wants to show pride and unity. All of these are perfect reasons to create a wristband that says something about your group. Of course, they are also fun and you can make them unique to fit just you.

Recently, people have begun to create wristbands for all kinds of purposes. You may have heard that the Lance Armstrong Foundation created a unique yellow "Livestrong" band that was sold to raise money for cancer research. Other organizations have found this to be an effective way to also raise awareness and for people to actively show that they care. Groups supporting research for illnesses such as breast cancer, kidney, AIDS programs, diabetes, and epilepsy have all created wristbands to gather people to the cause. Also, when disaster has struck, such as Hurricane Katrina, many people wore custom wristbands to show that they cared for the victims. Such causes have made wristbands an attractive, fun, and important way to quickly raise awareness and funds to the cause.

But raising money and awareness doesn't have to be the only reason to create a wristband. When you pick a color and a slogan, you are creating something unique for any purpose. You are the sole creator and you are in charge. So the next time you're thinking, "I need to do something unique, something that shows a little bit of character, and something that grabs people's attention," why not say, "I think I'll create a wristband!"