FACTS CHART:
Print out my Day of the Dead/ Dia De los Muertos Fact Chart and as you read about this Mexican Holiday with your family and watch the videos below write down interesting facts you learn.

Older kids will like these interesting facts about the Day of the Dead!

MARIGOLDS:

Marigolds, often called the Flor de muerto (flower of death) are often used when celebrating the Day of the Dead. The main reason I found when researching is that there bright colour and pungent odor guide the spirits to the offerings on their altars.

I always plant marigolds around my tomato plants to keep insects away. If you do the same thing, come Autumn pluck those beautiful orange and yellow flowers and string them together to make a marigold garland. I used fishing line and a needle and thread. You can also place them next to photographs of loved ones who have passed away or on your family altar if you choose to make one (see above).

SUGAR SKULLS or CALAVERA de AZUCAR:

Sugar Skulls/ Calavera de Azúcar are small skulls made of sugar that are decorated with icing.. Learn more here: https://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html

I couldn’t find a proper skull mould but I did find a whole skeleton so that’s what I used. They were a little difficult to get out of the mold so some of the faces aren’t very clear. My boys thought they looked creepy that way so we left them.

Here is where I found the recipe: How to Make Sugar Skulls (Calavera de Azúcar).

WEBSITES:

Here are some websites to help you learn more about The Day of the Dead holiday:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

https://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html

http://www.unm.edu/~htafoya/dayofthedead.html

I love hearing from everyone who tries Family Theme Days! Thank you so much!

Here's a recommendation from a fan:

Designate a shelf or area of your house as a little altar for your loved one(s). Here are a few great articles on simple ways to make your own altar. https://www.tripsavvy.com/make-day-of-dead-altar-1588750 and https://www.thespruce.com/mexican-day-of-the-dead-customs-2342807 and http://www.themijachronicles.com/2011/11/how-to-make-a-dia-de-los-muertos-altar/ .

Here are the basics…choose a table cloth or paper in bright purple, pink, orange or yellow. Add a photo of the loved one, a glass of water (to represent water), a candle (to represent fire), some paper picado made from the craft section of this Theme Day (to represent air) and some fruits, vegetables or grains (to represent earth). You can include other foods, like ones your beloved may have enjoyed, or some of the treats from the Food section of this Theme Day. We included our sugar skulls. Religious items, marigolds, and statues are often included as well.

without using any dialogue this beautiful short film really explains the emotion behind this holiday.

Photo: Cristian Newman, www.unsplash.com

Dia de los Muertos

Thank you to Layla and her mom Lisa for sending us this link. Layla wishes our Halloween had "true meaning still," and I couldn't agree more. Thanks for the recommendation! https://www.halloweencostumes.com/day-of-the-dead-resource-guide.html

Make a marigold chain

Basically, I mixed ¼ cup of meringue powder with 6 cups of granulated white sugar and then added 1/3 cup of water. I kept grabbing the sugar in my hands and squeezing to form almost a clay that sticks together. I then put the mixture in my skeleton silicon mould and pressed down to compact it, scraping off the excess with a butter knife. I flipped it upside-down with parchment paper very carefully and let it dry. I let them dry over night. We used store bought tiny icing tubes to decorate the bones and skulls.

Day of the Dead

VIDEOS:

Here are some interesting little videos that explain what Dia De Los Muertos is all about:

SKULLS or CALAVERAS:

The Day of the Dead is a combination of the Catholic All Soul’s and All Saint’s Day (November 1st and 2nd) and the indigenous people of Mexico’s ancient traditions of honouring the deceased. The skulls are a definite link to those indigenous traditions and you will see them as decorations and inspiration for foods and sweets. They are colourful and bright and not supposed to be scary. They are meant to capture the joy of reflecting on happy memories of loved ones who have passed away.

FAMILY ALTAR

In Mexico and other places that celebrate the Day of the Dead an altar is set up in a prominent space in one’s house. It is set with offerings (ofrendas) for the spirits of beloved family members who have passed away.

If you and your family want to try this, it can be a very simple thing to do and a beautiful way to honour loved ones no longer with us. When we had this Theme Day we decided to honour our middle child who died at birth.