Small Decorative Sugar Skull Bags Suitable for Day of the Dead Celebration

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a unique cultural event that originated in Mexico, blending indigenous rituals with Catholic observances to create a colourful and meaningful festival. This centuries-old tradition honours life, death, and memory, embracing death as a natural part of the human experience.

The celebration, which takes place on November 1 and 2, has roots dating back thousands of years to pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures such as the Aztecs and Toltecs. Originally led by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, the "Lady of the Dead," the festival was originally a month-long event [1][3]. After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, Catholic traditions, particularly All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, were combined with indigenous beliefs, shaping the modern Día de los Muertos observed today [1][3].

During the festival, families construct ofrendas (altars) decorated with photos, candles, marigolds, and the favourite foods and belongings of the departed to invite spirits to join the living in joyful remembrance [1][3]. Gravesites are also adorned with flowers and candles, and celebrations often include symbolic foods shaped like skulls or skeletons, vibrant costumes, and black humour reflecting an acceptance rather than fear of death [3].

One of the significant symbols of Día de los Muertos is the sugar skull. These intricate creations represent the unique souls of dearly departed loved ones [6]. To make a sugar skull bag, you can use felt, glitter card stock, and various crafting supplies such as paper, pencil, eraser, paper scissors, tacky glue, felt sheets, glitter card stock, fabric scissors, hole punch, corrugated paper, ribbons, hot glue sticks, hot glue gun, and zigzag-edge scissors (optional) [7].

To create a sugar skull template, overlap two circular plastic containers in different sizes and create a skull shape on a sheet of paper. Cut the sugar skull shapes out of foam using the adhered card stock as a guide. Use tacky glue to adhere all elements to the front of the sugar skull mini bag and create a face. For example, you can use felt to create eyes, nose, and a heart for the forehead of the sugar skull [2]. For extra texture, glue shimmering rhinestones, scraps of faux leather, or a simple zipper closure to your sugar skull bag [2].

The eyes are approximately 2 inches in diameter, the nose is a 1-inch-wide heart, and the forehead mini heart is about half an inch wide [5]. Cut another half-inch heart, five teardrop-shaped cutouts in varying colours, and eight small circles in colours of your choice for decorative elements [4]. Use ribbons to create bag handles. Each ribbon should be approximately 16 inches long [3]. Cut a long strip of corrugated paper, approximately 11 inches long and 2 inches wide, and glue it along the sides of the sugar skull faces using hot glue, leaving an opening at the top of the skulls [7].

The holiday encourages families to joyfully and colourfully celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. Along with making vibrant sugar skulls, families bake pan de muerto (sweet bread), create altars or ofrendas, arrange colourful flowers, and make offerings to those who have passed [8].

Día de los Muertos is observed widely in Mexico and increasingly in other parts of Latin America and U.S. communities, maintaining its deep cultural and ancestral significance [3][5]. This vibrant celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing life and remembering those who have passed, fostering a sense of community and connection that transcends the boundaries of death.

References: [1] Britannica. (n.d.). Day of the Dead. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Day-of-the-Dead [2] The Spruce Crafts. (2021, October 15). How to Make a Sugar Skull Purse. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-make-a-sugar-skull-purse-3602050 [3] Day of the Dead. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dayofthedead.com/ [4] BBC. (2018, November 1). Day of the Dead: What is it and why do people celebrate it? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-46045315 [5] National Geographic. (2020, October 30). What Is Day of the Dead? Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/holidays-observances/day-of-the-dead/ [6] The Smithsonian. (2020, October 30). Sugar Skulls: A Sweet Tradition for Día de los Muertos. Retrieved from https://www.si.edu/spotlight/sugar-skulls-sweet-tradition-day-dead [7] The Spruce Crafts. (2021, October 15). How to Make a Sugar Skull Purse Template. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-make-a-sugar-skull-purse-template-3602051 [8] Day of the Dead. (n.d.). Activities for Day of the Dead. Retrieved from https://www.dayofthedead.com/activities/