Why Are Marigolds the Official Flower for Day of the Dead?

Besides the sugar skull, the marigold is probably the other element that is most associated with the Dia de los Muertos celebration. The marigold, and flowers in general, represent the fragility of life. It is believed that the spirits of our departed loved ones come to visit during the celebration, and marigolds are used to help guide the spirits with their vibrant color.

Day of the Dead flowers and décor are all about vibrant colors, so just have fun with them when setting your table. Little touches can add up to make a big statement.

• A colorful patterned table runner
• Fiesta Ware plates from The Homer Laughlin China Co.
• A bouquet of marigolds
• Colorful ribbons with a sugar skull hangtag tied around the mason jar

To complete these Day of the Dead flower bouquets, I added a few cut succulents, some Mexican sage, and fresh cut stems of rosemary. Rosemary is an herb that has long been associated with death and, specifically, remembrance.

One more easy tip to add pizazz: Tie multiple strands of colorful ribbon around the neck of the mason jar.

Finish off with a sugar skull hangtag! Many sites offer free sugar skull printables that, with a little imagination, can be used in endless different ways. I downloaded these from Bespoke Bride, cut each one out individually, and glued it to a craft paper hangtag.

I totally love the whole look of this simple yet fun and festive tablescape. What a beautiful setting to honor and celebrate a loved one.