As the vibrant colors and rich traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) approaches, our school community has embraced a beautiful way to honor this Mexican holiday through sugar skull decorating. This activity not only teaches students about the cultural significance of the holiday but also …

Each sugar skill is uniquely decorated with vibrant icing, foil, and colored sugars, often featuring the name of the person being honored. This tradition embodies the belief that death is a part of life and that our loved ones are still present in spirit. 

Sugar skulls, or “calaveras de azúcar,” are a traditional folk art from central and southern Mexico. They are typically made in the weeks leading up to Dia de Muertos, which is celebrated on November 1 and 2. These colorful skulls are sold in open-air markets and serve as both art pieces and heartfelt tributes to deceased loved ones. Families often adorn home altars with them, and they are taken to cemeteries to decorate tombs during the celebrations. 

Our decorating event was spearheaded by myself and teacher Karen Ginsberg, spending several days preparing for the activity. We crafted the sugar skulls using a simple recipe that requires just a few ingredients:

1. Mix: For every cup of sugar, add 1 teaspoon of meringue powder and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of water. If colorful skulls are desired, paste coloring can be added to the water.
2. Combine: Using your hands, mix the ingredients until every bit of sugar is moistened. The mixture should resemble “beach sand” and retain your fingerprints when squeezed.
3. Mold: Pack the sugar firmly into molds, scrape flat, and invert onto a cardboard square. If the sugar doesn’t fall out easily, it may need more sugar.
4. Dry: Allow the molds to air dry for 3-14 hours, depending on their size and the weather. 

In the span of this week, Karen and I visited each Advisory class (for each grade) to facilitate the sugar skull decorating activity. Our Advisor teachers framed the activity in their own unique ways, but made sure to discuss the significance of Día de Muertos, emphasizing the importance of remembering and honoring those who have passed. They encouraged students to reflect on their own loved ones. And, of course, tunes from the Coco soundtrack played in the background. 

As students decorated, they shared stories about their family traditions and the loved ones they were honoring. The sugar skull decorating activity was a beautiful way for our school to engage with the rich Día de Muertos traditions. It not only provided a fun and creative outlet for students but also deepened their understanding of cultural heritage and the significance of honoring, and remembering, those who have gone before us. We look forward to making this a cherished annual tradition, celebrating life, memory, and community together.

We hope everyone enjoys this unique way to honor loved ones during this special time!

by Kennia Hernandez