The Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico the day after Halloween to honor deceased loved ones. But you don’t have to be in Mexico to celebrate the holiday! The elaborately decorated sugar skulls and colorful decorations it is known for have become increasingly popular in recent years. I thought it would be fun to incorporate some of the vibrant decor into our Halloween decorating this year, and made a mantel bursting with colorful Day of the Dead decorations and crafts.
I loved putting together the mantel with all of the Day of the Dead decorations. I also incorporated a couple pieces I made myself like this Day of the Dead wreath - made from plastic skull eggs! To create the mantel, I started by hanging the wreath from the large mirror and a colorful layered felt garland along the bottom of the mantel. Then I propped this Day of the Dead Tombstone up against the mirror, along with two large tissue paper flowers in fiesta colors. To add some more height to the mantel, I added my DIY Day of the Dead Branches which I placed in these cool black bottles. For the rest of the mantel, I incorporated a few whimsical pieces like these vintage Day of the Dead man and woman statues and a DIY ceramic skull I decorated with Day of the Dead stickers (which can also be used to decorate pumpkins!). Mantel arrangements always look best when you are able to vary the height of the different items, so I propped some up on boxes covered with black wrapping paper and scattered black flower leis along the mantel to add some more color and texture. Want to incorporate some Day of the Dead decor into your home this Halloween? Then don't miss my simple tutorials for the Day of the Dead wreath and DIY skull ornament branches!