I Don’t Normally Decorate for Halloween, But This $15 Find Has My Full Attention

Unlike most Halloween and general fall fanatics, I don’t love going overboard when it comes to decorating my home. I prefer subtle touches that don’t require extra cleaning, organizing, and storage solutions — natural decor like potted marigold flowers or those iconic Trader Joe’s cinnamon brooms, and items that I can cycle through the season like candles. In my search for this subtle piece of decor, I found something that isn’t just the perfect decorative piece for my kitchen during Halloween, but for Día de los Muertos as well. 

World Market is one of my favorite places to find unique pieces of seasonal decor, so I wasn’t surprised that I found this alluring floral taper candle handmade by Mexican artisans there. For just $14.99, I wanted this candle to be a vibrant centerpiece for my small dining table to last me through Halloween and Día de los Muertos (November 1-2). Although I couldn’t find the exact candle from World Market online, I did find a similar one online at Anthropologie in three different sizes (and 12 colors!), as well as a few others on Etsy, here and here. 

While I would normally place a candle like this on my ofrenda — the altar in my home honoring lost loved ones — it fit perfectly with my simple yet thematic table setting (along with my skeleton hand glasses from Pottery Barn). To keep the wax from spilling onto the table, I placed it on a little trinket dish. The orange hue screams Halloween while the intricate floral detail is a nod to my culture’s lively celebration that is meant to reunite the living with the dead. The marigold has come to represent Día de los Muertos symbolically as the flowers themselves historically signal an honoring of the dead. 

If you already have some taper candles that you want to add to your table setting, this handmade calavera candle holder from World Market will give your kitchen that much-needed spooky vibe. For the minimalists and those who prefer decorating with something you don’t have to store away until next year, this floral taper candle is a must-have for Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and the rest of the festive, crisp autumn season. 

Buy: Oaxacan Floral Taper Candle, $20.95