Hold a Day of the Dead Celebration

The Day of the Dead is a big holiday in Mexico. And even though it is called Day of the Dead, it is really a celebration of life. It is a celebration and homage to the memory of loved ones who have died. It is actually celebrated over two days. November 1^st is known as Day of the Innocents, to honor dead children. And November 2^nd is the Day of the Dead, to honor adults.

During the Day of the Dead, some believe that the souls of the dead return to Earth to visit with their friends and family. But for many, their loved ones who have departed are with them in spirit every day, and the Day of the Dead is a time for remembering and honoring them.

During the holiday, Mexicans visit the gravesites of their loved ones. They clean up around the site and decorate it. They put flowers, candles and foods that the deceased liked to eat on the graves. The families eat, sing, and talk about the one who has passed away.

In Mexico and in the United States, where people cannot always visit the gravesites, they set up altars in their homes. And they decorate the altars with flowers and candles, pictures of the ones who have passed away, and ceramic skulls.

In Mexico, the altars are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers, piles of fruit, peanuts, turkey mole, tortillas, and Day of the Dead breads, called pan de muerto. There is a lot of food and a lot of drinks for the deceased. They also put sugar skulls on the altars.

People put food and drinks on the altar as well. Salt, because it is considered the spice of life, is also usually put on the altar. Sugar skulls are also an integral part of the holiday. Mexicans began to make them back in the 18^th century. The skull represents the person who has passed away. The person’s name is put on the forehead of the skull, and the skull is put on the altar or gravestone to honor the deceased.

Although it is a holiday that had its beginnings in Mexico, the Day of the Dead is catching on in other parts of the world as well, including the United States. Part of the reason may be that the holiday is one that you can pretty much celebrate as you want, according to your own religious and cultural beliefs. In fact, it is a holiday that is more cultural than religious. It is a great way to celebrate the memories of those who are gone through art, music, food, and stories. It is day to celebrate not how the loved one died, but how they lived.

We’re open November 1 and 2, so we hope you’ll take some time to celebrate the Day of the Dead in your way, but here with us, at the Mattito’s you love.