#Dia de los muertos altar items how to#

When it comes to drinks, hot cocoa is a popular choice. Calaveras ( sugar skulls ) make an ideal sweet treat, as do caramel tarts and traditional alegrias candies. Pan de muerto is a staple of Day of the Dead dinners, along with tamales, mole, and tortilla soup. Although much of the focus is on providing a wonderful collection of dishes for the ofrenda, you can also enjoy dining on some of these classic dishes yourself. Serve a Delicious Feastįood is a key theme within Dia de los Muertos. Follow a traditional recipe passed down through the generations, or try this pan de muerto recipe if you’re new to baking this delicious bread. Pan de muerto isn’t complicated, which means you can make it a family tradition to bake it together. This sweet pan dulce bread topped with an orange sugar glaze is placed upon the ofrenda or served during a Day of the Dead feast. Bake Bread of the DeadĪnother element you’ll see on the ofrenda is pan de muerto, also known as the bread of the dead. They’re often created hundreds at a time with a chisel or mallet, but can also be made one by one with scissors - making them an ideal children’s art project. These decorations are made from sheets of tissue paper with designs cut in. These colorful banners are a beautiful part of Mexican culture and are used for both decoration and symbolism during the holiday. Papel picado is one of the most memorable decorations that you’ll see around the time of Dia de los Muertos.

Decorative crafted calacas (skulls) and sugar skulls are often included as decoration. It’s common to showcase personal belongings from your departed relatives, along with offerings of pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and their favorite meals. The ofrenda should be sure to feature all four elements: earth (food), water (a jug of water), wind (papel picado), and fire (candles). Marigolds are the flower of choice, and the display also usually includes brightly colored fruit. The Day of the Dead altar is typically adorned with a colorful tablecloth and cut paper decorations known as papel picado. This typically features multiple levels - the top for photos and items to remember your loved ones by, and the bottom for a delicious offering of food and drink. These altars aren’t for worship, though: They’re to honor your lost loved ones and make them feel comfortable and welcomed during their journey back to the living for the holiday.įind a cozy corner of your home and build your ofrenda. The ofrenda, or altar, is a central part of any Dia de los Muertos celebration.

#Dia de los muertos altar items how to#

Here’s how to honor the day with traditions, cooking, visitations, and more. The tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead lives on. It’s a celebration of life and death - a time to honor departed loved ones not with sadness but with joy, excitement, and color.

The holiday takes place every year between October 31 and November 2 (overlapping with All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2).

The Day of the Dead ’s origins date back thousands of years to the Aztec and Nahua peoples, and it has long been celebrated in Mexican and Latin American culture. The name of the holiday is Spanish for “ Day of the Dead, ” and it’s a rich part of Mexican culture. We’ll cover traditions, food inspiration, fun ideas, and some of our best-loved Dia de los Muertos party invites.ĭia de los Muertos is a cultural holiday that honors the dead. In this guide, we’ll take you through some of our favorite ideas of how to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Colorful decorations, delicious food, and rich costumery await - but what’s the best way to celebrate? Dia de los Muertos is approaching, and it’s time to start planning how you’re going to celebrate this major holiday.