In Mexico, marigolds and other bright blooms are believed to catch the attention of the dead. Here are suggestions for decorating your table from Sunset home writer Mary Jo Bowling.
Create a candle holder. Secure taper candles in bottom of a glass cylinder with museum wax or putty; add some dried yellow lentils, then surround with fresh marigold petals.
Make a garland. String fresh or dried strawflowers with needle and thread.
Make napkin rings. Use a self-adhesive velcro dot to form a ring from a 6-inch piece of wide ribbon, fasten ribbon around a rolled napkin, and hot-glue a strawflower blossom to the top.
For more elaborate Day of the Dead crafts, decorations, and Mexican folk art, visit one of these websites: www.alamofiesta.com, www.casabonampak.com, www.corazondelpueblo.com, www.latinworksco.com, www.mexicansugarskull.com, and www.xanako.com.