I set up a small ofrenda every year. Photos, bread, a favorite soda, and yes—art. The art matters. It makes the space feel alive, even while we remember folks who aren’t here. If you want the deeper backstory on why these objects hit so hard, check out my honest take on Day of the Dead art for a closer look at the meaning behind every candle and calaca. Here’s what I actually used, what held up, and what made me smile (or sigh).
The Tall Ceramic Catrina I Carried Home (Carefully)
I bought a 14-inch ceramic Catrina in Capula, Michoacán. Black dress, tiny painted flowers, a hat with a brim so wide it looked like shade. She was about 900 pesos. Worth it? Mostly.
- The paint is matte and rich. No glare in photos.
- The neck is delicate. I bumped it once and had to glue it. My heart dropped.
- Dust gathers in all those tiny ruffles. A soft makeup brush helps.
When she stands by the candles, she looks both funny and fancy. That mix fits the day, you know?
Sugar Skull From the Big Market in Guadalajara
I grabbed a hand-painted sugar skull at Mercado San Juan de Dios. Palm-sized. Hot pink with teal dots and foil teeth. About 250 pesos.
- It wobbles a bit on the base. I used museum putty to steady it.
- When I wiped it with a damp cloth, a little color bled. So, dry cloth only.
- The smile is wide and silly. It actually made my nephew giggle.
Not perfect. But the joy wins.
Papel Picado: Tissue Wins Indoors, Plastic Wins Outside
I tried two kinds, because I learn the hard way.
- Tissue papel picado from La Ciudadela market in CDMX: crisp cuts, deep colors, a set of 10 for around 60 pesos. It looks dreamy in a window. But it tears if you tug too hard or if a cat thinks it’s a toy.
- Plastic papel picado from a big-box store’s seasonal aisle: bright and tough. I hung it on the porch. Rain? No problem. But it’s shiny and kinda loud. The shapes aren’t as crisp. It does the job though.
If you care about that gentle look, go tissue. If you’re hosting outside, plastic keeps your nerves calm.
A Tin Nicho That Turned Into a Little Hug
In San Miguel de Allende, I found a small tin nicho with a glass door and a skeleton couple inside. Cobalt and magenta. Foil trim. About 400 pesos.
- The hinge felt stiff on day one. It loosened by day three.
- The glass rattled, so I tucked a tiny bit of museum putty in the corner.
- I slid my abuela’s photo in there, with a paper marigold. It felt right. Simple and bright.
It’s my favorite piece, even with the rattly glass. Or maybe because of it.
Marigold Magic: Real vs Paper
I bought real cempasúchil from a local panadería. The smell is warm and earthy. Petals shed like crazy, but I didn’t mind. That messy gold means it’s working.
I also tried paper marigolds from a small Etsy shop out of Oaxaca. Orange crepe paper on wire stems.
- They look bold and big in photos.
- Tape the wire ends so they don’t poke you. Ask me how I know.
- Keep them away from real flame. Paper and candles aren’t friends.
I use both. Real for scent. Paper for volume.
A Posada Print That Does the Talking
I framed a small reproduction of La Catrina by José Guadalupe Posada. Paid around 120 pesos for the print in a CDMX stall. The black ink had a little rub-off at first, so I handled it by the edges. If vintage character is your thing beyond Day of the Dead, you might enjoy my wider musings in I live with vintage art—here’s my honest take for ideas on mixing old charm with modern life.
On the wall, it ties the table together. Old and new. Funny and serious. That’s the balance I like.
A Candle That Doesn’t Clash
I tried a soy candle labeled “Marigold & Orange” from a local market. Clean burn, no headache. Some candles fight with the bread smell; this one didn’t. Pro tip: trim the wick short so you don’t soot your papel picado. Learned that the smoky way.
A Quick Kid Craft That Actually Works
From Michaels, I picked up sugar skull cookie cutters for a school craft. Keep the dough cold so the shapes hold. Top rack in the dishwasher or they warp. The kids iced little flowers and dots. Sticky chaos. Pure joy.
What I Loved
- Color that tells a story: bold, warm, a bit goofy
- Hand-made bits with tiny quirks
- The way tin and glass catch candlelight
What Bugged Me
- Fragile necks on tall Catrinas (handle like a baby bird)
- Tissue papel picado tears if you look at it wrong
- Wobbly bases on some skulls (museum putty saves the day)
How I Set It All Up (So It Doesn’t Stress Me Out)
- Keep tissue banners away from flame. Two feet, minimum.
- Use museum gel or putty under light pieces. No slips, no trips.
- Dust painted ceramics with a soft brush, not a wet cloth.
- Frame prints with a mat so ink doesn’t kiss the glass.
Balancing candles and ceramics on sideboards and coffee tables made me rethink what surfaces actually work when you live with art 24/7—check out I lived with art furniture—here’s what actually works at home for the practical lessons I learned.
So, Should You Get Day of the Dead Art?
If you want a table that feels like a story, yes. If you're curious about how these traditions fit into the wider history of Day of the Dead, the background is worth a quick read. For more inspiration—and a calendar of community Day of the Dead workshops—check out the resources at Metro Arts. You can also wander through this beautifully photographed online exhibition to spark ideas before you shop. Start small. A tin nicho and a tissue banner can do wonders. Add a print or a sugar skull when it feels right. You don’t need a lot. You need honest color and a bit of heart.
I’ll be real—I teared up when I closed that little nicho door around my abuela’s photo. Then I laughed when the plastic banner bonked me on the forehead outside. That mix? That’s the whole point. Bright, tender, and a little silly. It keeps the memory warm.
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