How to Celebrate the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is a celebration for the dead. It's mostly celebrated in Mexico and in some parts of the United States. It was first celebrated by the Aztecs for more than 3,000 years. The holiday is similar to All Saint's Day, which the Catholic's celebrate, and it occurs on November 1 and 2. During this holiday, the dead are honored, and it's believed that they come back to visit. Here's how to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Candy
• Flowers
• Candles
• Baskets
• Food
• Altar

1. Create an altar for a loved one or loved ones who you have lost. This can be at a grave site or somewhere in your home. This is where you will honor the dead and provide them with food and other things that they enjoy. The altar should be respected and in a safe place.

2. Bake and cook food and candy that your loved ones enjoyed while they were alive. Candy skulls and Day of the Dead bread are common items put in picnic baskets and offered to the dead during this holiday. This is a time that the dead are supposed to return, so make things that you think your loved ones have missed.

3. Decorate the altar with colorful tapestries, candles and flowers. This is an opportunity to honor and cherish your loved ones who have died. Toys are usually brought for children who have passed away. Maybe they had a favorite teddy bear or blanket.

4. Communicate with your loved ones and remember old times. The goal is to encourage the dead to visit. Post photographs and other memorabilia on a private altar. Maybe you kept notes, postcards, letters or ticket stubs.

5. Dress in costume. Skulls are a common symbol for the Day of the Dead, and children often roam the streets in costumes and ask neighbors for small gifts of money. This part of the celebration is similar to the way Halloween is celebrated in the United States.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your loved ones gravestones and your house to prepare for the holiday.
• The belief that the dead visit during this holiday is similar to the belief that Santa Claus delivers presents to children all over the world.

Resources

• Day of Dead Bread Recipe

[Kilogramm]

on 9/13/2008 These are great tips pretty girl, 5 stars for this!