By FPL_BrendaZ
On November 1 and 2, family and friends come together to celebrate and honor those who have passed away. Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a holiday that was originally practiced by the Indigenous peoples of what is now known as Central Mexico. Today, it is celebrated across Mexico, Latin America, and the United States. This is a special and unique holiday that brings us closer together and encourages us to remember our loved ones. This is a great way to help little ones understand that death is a natural part of life, and it also connects them to their family history.
It’s never too late to start new traditions. See suggestions below to help you prepare for the holiday!
Build an Ofrenda
Build an Altar in your home. Be as creative and decorative as you’d like. Incorporate candles, flowers, and pictures of your loved ones. Remember that this is a place to make an offering. Include items that will celebrate them such as their favorite food, drink, or other treats.
Make Papel Cempasuchil (Paper Marigolds)
The Marigold is a national symbol of Dia de los Muertos. They are traditionally placed on Ofrendas or placed on burial sites. The Aztecs believed that the Marigold’s bright colors and scent guided the spirits of the dead to their families.
Learn how to make paper marigolds here: Make Paper Marigolds., opens a new window
Papel Picado
Papel Picado is a fun, easy, decorative craft that you can add to your ofrenda. You can save it and put it up as decoration for other holidays as well. It is a traditional Mexican folk art that symbolizes fragility of life, and it represents the element of wind and the union between life and death.
Learn how to make papel picado here: Make Your Own Colorful Papel Picado, opens a new window
Bake Pan de Muerto
Pan de Muerto is a traditional sweet bread that is enjoyed on November 1 and 2. It can be placed on your ofrenda as an offering to your loved one. Its circular shape symbolizes the cycle of life and death.
Follow this recipe to make your own: Pan de Muertos: Mexican Bread of the Dead., opens a new window
Storytelling
Image from https://www.nytimes.com/article/day-of-the-dead-mexico.html
The best way to celebrate Dia de los Muertos is through storytelling. Sharing stories about your loved ones keeps their spirit and legacy alive. You can share special memories or traditions and recipes that you may have learned from your loved one with your little ones. This is a great form of intergenerational sharing.
If you’d like to celebrate or learn more about this special holiday check out some of these items from our collection:
Day of the Dead- Dia De Los Muertos
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