Day of the Dead décor now lives on shelves at major stores
Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead home décor now has an aisle on the holiday section of major American retailers and although it’s not the same as Halloween, they both happen during Fall season.
In Mexico and other Latin American countries, people celebrate by making altars to their loved ones or visiting their graves to decorate with Mexican marigold flowers, votive candles, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skulls as well as food and drinks that the dear departed loved in life.
The Day of the Dead is a colorful celebration of life and death. It is not meant to be macabre, remembering the dead as part of an endless cycle, a cultural practice passed on from Mesoamerican cultures. The belief is that dead relatives return on this occasion to celebrate with their live family.
The holiday used to be celebrated for two Aztec months, 20 days each, beginning in summer. The first month, Miccailhuitontli, honored the deceased children and the second, Hueymiccailhuitl, honored the dead adults. In an attempt to combine with Christian holidays after Spanish influence in Mexico, the celebration was shortened and moved to two days, Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, for the children and Nov. 2, All Souls’ Day, for the adults.
Day of the Dead events and celebrations in Los Angeles and other areas of the U.S. have increased every year, and with them, decorations are also showing up even in major retailers like Walgreens and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Many of the decorations have evolved from the sugar skulls and the Catrina, the ‘dapper skeleton’ popularized by Mexican cartoon illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada.
Whether you choose to go with the traditional ofrenda (offering) or altar to remember and honor your loved ones who have passed away, or you are enjoying the new twist on home décor with Dia de Muertos, here are some ideas:
Candles are a big part of most altars. Traditionally, the candle light will guide the dead relatives back to the world of the living and start the celebration.
For altars, sugar skulls represent the souls of the dead. You can have actual sugar skulls or you can buy figurines like these ones from Michaels, $5.99.
Tissue paper sugar skulls and Day of the Dead cutouts, the more colorful the better. You place this on top of your altar, the mantle or any area you are decorating for the holiday. $3.95 - $11.95 at Hecho con Cariño, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012. (213) 625-0065 www.hechoconcarino.com
Add some color to your living room with this handmade in L.A. Sugar Skull Fiesta Pillow, $17.99 from Mi Vida Boutique, 5159 York Blvd. Los Angeles, 90042, www.shopmivida.com
South L.A. couple Jacqueline Ortiz and Hannibal Garcia make these prints on wood as Ninoska Arte. Many of their prints feature not just Latino icons as skeletons, you can also find David Bowie and Mario Bros. at their Etsy shop and Hecho con Cariño, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012.
Take your love of sugar skulls with you with this tumbler, which can hold hot or cold drinks. From Target.
These coasters from Bed, Bath and Beyond are a variation of Day of the Dead artwork, $2.99 each.
Sweet bread, specifically Pan de muerto or bread of the dead is a staple of most altars, but also sweet bread like conchas (shells) are welcome, especially if it was a favorite of the deceased. This concha-shaped coin purse can be placed if you’re weary of leaving sweet bread out, $5.95 at Hecho con Cariño, W-7B Olvera St., Los Angeles, 90012. (213) 625-0065 www.hechoconcarino.com
