Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed. Dia de los Muertos was originally an Aztec harvest celebration, but the Catholic influence of the Spanish conquistadors combined it with the traditions of All Souls’ and All Saints Day, and the celebration now starts the day after Halloween and runs for two days (Nov. 1-2).
There are so many beautiful traditions associated with Dia de los Muertos: the colors, music, sentiment, and iconic symbols like the sugar skull> Whether you’re going big or small this year, here are a few ideas for ways that you can personalize and bring this celebration of loved ones’ past into your Dia de los Muertos.
The most iconic symbol of Dia de los Muertos is the sugar skull. Mexicans choose to celebrate the lives of their dearly beloved, and the skull symbolizes death but in a positive way. Living in a country abundant in sugar production, they began to create beautiful clay-molded sugar skulls that were decorated with flowers and colorful icing that represented departed souls.
Here’s an easy way to go from Halloween to Day of the Dead and keep the party going!
You’ve chosen some spooktacular scary Halloween items, such as the Spooky Skull Flower Arrangement and Monster Dipped Berries, but Halloween’s over and it’s Dia de los Muertos time. Time to change that spooky skull to a happy sugar skull!!
Start with the Spooky Skull Flower Arrangement. The base of this arrangement is made from floral foam. All you need to do to add new fresh flower elements is cut the stem short (about 3 inches) and insert it directly into the foam where you want your new flower to be.
First switch out the eyes to a bright color gerbera daisy. Flowers are meant to symbolize life.
Next, add a single marigold to either side of the mouth. Marigolds are the flower of death.
To make the skull "happier," add more color with green poms under the mouth.
To add even more detail, spear individual hypericum berries on toothpicks and place them around the eyes.
Inserting fully bloomed colorful roses across the top of the skull creates a festive floral crown.
Last but not least, cluster long streamers of brightly colored ribbons and attachthem to either side of the skull at the bottom of the crown of roses.
Isn’t she pretty?!
Use your imagination and add whatever flowers or embellishments that you like to create a floral sugar skull to honor someone you have lost.
AUTHOR
Julie started her career in the floral industry over 30 years ago in a small, family-owned flower shop. From floral designer to author and lifestyle expert, her insight has been instrumental in developing the 1-800-Flowers.com brand. Representing the company’s floral lifestyle vision, Julie has shared her talent and passion in numerous television appearances and national magazine features. She is an active fundraiser and longtime friend of IGHL, a group dedicated to facilitating a more independent life for developmentally challenged adults.
