How to Make Beautiful Paper Marigolds for Day of the Dead Decor

Marigolds are a traditional flower used to decorate altars and graves during the Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico. Their bright yellow and orange colors symbolize the sun and light. While fresh marigolds are ideal, stunning paper marigolds can also be crafted to adorn any Dia de los Muertos display.

Making paper marigolds is an easy thrifty craft that kids will love. With just tissue paper and a few basic supplies you can create gorgeous marigold flowers in any size or color. This article provides a step-by-step tutorial to teach you how to make colorful marigolds that will add festive spirit to your Day of the Dead observances.

Supplies Needed

• Tissue paper in marigold colors – orange, yellow, red, etc. Solid color or assorted packs work.
• Green pipe cleaners, 1 per flower
• Scissors
• Optional: Floral tape, floral stem wire, hot glue gun

Step 1: Cut the Tissue Paper

• Start with tissue paper approximately 20” x 26”.
• Cut it evenly into quarters so you have 4 sheets about 10” x 13” each.
• Stack the quarters and cut them in half. Now you have 8 sheets of tissue paper measuring approx. 7.5” x 10”.
• For smaller flowers, cut the quarters into even smaller squares. For giant flowers, keep them whole or cut fewer times.

Step 2: Accordion Fold the Sheets

• Stack 4 of the cut tissue sheets together.
• Fold the stack into an accordion fold, pressing creases firmly.
• For fuller flowers, use more sheets. For sparser flowers, use fewer.

Step 3: Cut Petal Shapes

• Cut petal shapes across the folded edge. This can be a half circle, zig zag, or other creative shape.
• Cut identical shapes on both ends to create symmetrical petals.

Step 4: Wrap Stem and Fluff Flower

• Wrap a green pipe cleaner tightly around the center of the folded tissue to create a stem.
• For mini flowers, secure with floral tape. For larger flowers, hot glue pipe cleaner in place.
• Gently pull the tissue layers apart and fluff out the flower starting from the center.
• Move the top layer up to form the upper row of petals.

Step 5: Repeat to Make More Flowers!

Follow steps 2-4 to transform the remaining sheets of tissue paper into marigolds. Create an entire marigold bouquet or garland by making many flowers.

Paper Marigold Crafting Tips

• For giant floor marigolds, stack 8+ sheets before folding for very full flowers. Use sturdier cardstock paper and secure stems with hot glue.

• For realistic centers, cut small circles from orange paper, gather into a ball, and glue inside flower.

• Hot glue large finished marigolds onto thick florist wires to create removable bouquets Hide the stem with a leaf collar,

• Intermix different colored papers for multi-hued flowers. Try red, orange, yellow, pink, and white.

• Use flower shaping or stylist wires to bend petals into natural, open shapes. Hide the wires inside stems.

• Stagger the heights of stems and bend them in organic angles to make bouquets and arrangements fuller.

• Glue on beads, sequins, or glitter to add sparkle and dimension to petals.

Displaying Paper Marigold Flowers

The creative possibilities are endless when displaying handmade paper marigolds:

• Decorate Day of the Dead home altars or ofrendas
• Embellish sugar skulls
• Line the pathway to the altar or front door
• Use in cemetery decorations and grave sites
• Craft mini bouquets as party favors
• Embellish Day of the Dead masks and costumes
• Decorate classroom altars or learning stations
• Brighten tables as centerpieces
• Border stair railings and mantels
• String into garlands and bunting
• Cluster on wreaths and in floral arrangements
• Pair with papel picado banners

Connecting Kids with Culture Through Crafts

Making paper marigold flowers together is a hands-on way for kids to learn about the Day of the Dead tradition. As you craft, discuss the symbolism and cultural significance of marigolds to honor ancestors and welcome their spirits home.

Describe how marigolds decorate altars, cemeteries, processions, and more during the multi-day Dia de los Muertos celebrations across Mexico and Latin America.

Engage kids’ creativity to invent their own unique ways to use handmade marigolds for celebrating. The beautiful flowers they craft will become treasured keepsakes and reminders of your shared experience learning about the holiday.

More Day of the Dead Craft Ideas

Once you’ve mastered marigolds, try your hand at these other fun Dia de los Muertos crafts:

• Clay Sugar Skulls – Mold small skulls out of clay or salt dough. Decorate with bright icing, beads, and sequins.

• Papel Picado Banners – Cut out skull or flower designs on colorful tissue paper. String up with ribbon.

• Calavera Masks and Crowns – Make wearable masks and crowns adorned with flowers, designs, and curling feathers.

• Shadow Box Altars – Assemble mini memorial altars inside shadow boxes, dioramas, or light-up boxes.

• Skull Lanterns – Decorate paper mache skull-shaped lanterns with tissue paper, glitter, and lights.

• Pan de Muerto – Shape sweet bread into skeleton figures and decorate with colored icing to look like flowers, bones, and skulls.

Handcrafting marigolds, sugar skulls, and other iconic Dia de los Muertos symbols is a mindful, meditative way for both kids and adults to honor ancestors and experience the spirit of the holiday.

So grab some tissue paper and try making these cheerful paper flowers. Your homemade marigolds will add vibrant spirit to any Day of the Dead ofrenda or celebration. ¡Viva la vida y la muerte!