How to Celebrate Día de los Muertos

Wikipedia defines Día de los Muertos (English: Day of the Dead) as a Mexican holiday that celebrated annually on November 1st and 2nd. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday.  Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls,  marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

El Dia de los Muertos is not the Mexican version of Halloween.  The holiday has been celebrated in Mexico since the year 1800 B.C.   In the Mexican culture, this holiday is neither scary nor morbid.  It is a time of celebration and remembrance. It is a mixture of the Catholic Christian ritual and folk culture.

El Dia de los Muertos honors those whom have passed.  It is a welcomed opportunity to reflect upon one's life, heritage, ancestry and the meaning of one's existence.  Altars or ofrendas are a way to show honor, love and remembrance to those whom have departed.

In Mexico, neighbors gather in local cemeteries to share food, music, and fun with their extended community, both living and departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away.

Many superstitions have been added over the years, but for the most part, this ancient holiday is as it always was - a time of remembrance and love. So, don't be afraid of the Day of the Dead. This is a happy holiday.  

Read a great article on how to celebrate Día de los Muertos on Spanglishbaby.com.

Here's a great, kid-friendly sing-along song on youtube 

Here's a great book for kids (recommended by mommymaestra) Click on the picture to order the book on Amazon.com.

Feliz Día de los Muertos