I’ve long loved the beauty of the Day of the Dead. I first heard about the holiday from Patricia Arquette when she was interviewed on a late night show. She was married to Nicolas Cage and they had lived in Mexico. She presented a sugar skull to discuss the beauty of the holiday. Strangely, we didn’t learn about this holiday growing up around Southern California or amongst our Mexican friends.

It wouldn’t be until many years later that my twin and I would discover that our heritage was rooted in being Mexican. For years we felt the ancestors calling to us but always assumed it was our half-sister's grandmother Esperanza that sparked our love for the culture. After one DNA test it turns out we’re 32% Mexican and more Mexican than our little sisters.

In 2022 I made my first ofrenda in my home as a backdrop to a cocktail segment for Frolicking Chronicles. Since then it has become an annual tradition to set up an ofrenda and I decorate my front yard with both Dia de los Muertos and Halloween decor. I encourage the conversation amongst my neighbors when they comment how beautiful it is.

Each year, I add a little to my collection of skulls, La Catrina’s, monarch butterflies and skeletons. My favorite memory is going to the Northgate grocery store with my daughter to buy sugar skulls, pan de muertos, and decorative figurines. This year I tried to buy a Lego Sugar Skull for her to build but they are on a 60 day back order as of this writing. I did score a couple figurines for half off at my local hardware store. This showed how the popularity amongst the American market has grown.

Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that has grown to include the United States in recent years. The animated movies The Book of Life and Coco have showcased its beauty. It didn’t take long for major retail stores to put out merchandise designed for the holiday to be seen along with Halloween decor. It is not Mexican Halloween- it is a celebration of our passed loved ones which includes special days for our pets, small children, and all of our loved ones lost.

Photos from: IMDb.com

The official holiday starts November 1st at midnight, hence the Halloween confusion by some. This night unites families with their small children while November 2nd at midnight unites families with all their lost loved ones. Celebrations will be had throughout the day with friends, family, and communities. Special events will be held to celebrate the weekend after Halloween such as at the Hollywood Forever cemetery. This year the holiday falls on an actual Saturday so it will be celebrated in real time.

Every altar must include “Flor de Muerto” (flowers of the dead), otherwise known as marigolds. They have a unique scent that draws our ancestors to us. I reuse plastic marigold garlands to drape along the entryway to my home and above our ofrenda inside. I will add fresh plants or flowers in a vase depending on my budget. The real ones are said to deter pesky mosquitos, so that’s a win win for me.

As I’m setting up our altar I include a lot of photos of our grandparents. Then I will set out sweets or a shot of whiskey for grandpa. I’m incredibly fortunate to not have lost close family members or parents yet. Although, sadly we have lost a couple of beloved pets. Both pics of my cat and dog go on the altar w/their collars or old tags.

An additional layer I like to use is my vintage orange glassware and fairy lamps. The amber glow enhances the ambience and makes my altar feel warm. Of course, color is significant. Every color represents something special. So it’s a BIG NO to the monochromatic all neutral ofrendas that started to plague social media posts.

Photos from: Tamantha Bowman

The holiday begins October 27th through November 2nd with each day dedicated throughout the week to specific passed loved ones. Dia de los Muertos has daily recognition for pets, small children, and loved ones. The Ofrendas (altars) may be large or small but will share some of the same decorative elements. Candles, photos, and marigolds to name a few. They will also have copal incense burning, food, and drink. Many will cater to their loved ones favorite treats but also have the beautifully decorated sugar skulks and pan de muertos.

This year I’m a bit behind on making mine but I do have my storage box out and at the ready. Oh and don’t forget to add monarch butterflies- they symbolize carrying our loved ones’ souls back to visit their families.

Written by Tamantha Bowman

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Sources:

Patricia Arquette/Nicolas Cage story
papermag.com/nicolas-cage-patricia-arquette#rebelltitem8

La Catrinas
pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-la-catrina-became-the-iconic-symbol-for-the-day-of-the-dead

Pan de Muerto recipe
latinofoodie.com/featured-blog-posts/pan-de-muerto-recipe/

Frolicking Chronicles Patreon page
patreon.com/c/FrolickingChronicles?utm_source=campaign-search-results

See additional links within the story

Dia de los Muertos

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