Our Halloween and Mexico’s Day of the Dead, although not quite the same, both celebrate the spirits of the departed.
And, according to southern Mexico folk art specialist Angela Villalba, no Day of the Dead (two days really – November 1 and 2) is complete without brightly decorated sugar skulls, whether you use them to enhance a party or ― true to tradition ― a cemetery.
The skulls are easy to make and fun to decorate. Plastic molds for them (see below) are sold in many cookware stores ($8 to $10). Villalba sells the molds as well as plain skulls to decorate ($4 to $7.50 each; 626/307-7755 or www.mexicansugarskull.com).