Okay, so the other day I decided to really get into the Day of the Dead spirit. I’ve always been fascinated by it, so I thought, why not try to experience it more authentically this year?
Getting Started
First, I did some digging. I wanted to understand the traditions better, not just the surface-level stuff. Found out it’s way more than just skulls and makeup! It’s about remembering loved ones who’ve passed and celebrating their lives.
Building an Altar
Then, I decided to build my own ofrenda (altar). This was the core of my little project. I gathered a few things:
- Photos: I printed out pictures of some family members who are no longer with us.
- Candles: I picked up some simple white candles. Nothing fancy, just enough to create a warm glow.
- Flowers: Marigolds are the traditional flower, so I managed to find some at a local market. Their bright orange color is so vibrant!
- Food: I baked some pan de muerto (bread of the dead). It’s a sweet bread, and the recipe I found online was pretty easy to follow, even for a not-so-great baker like me. I also put out some of their favorite foods and drinks.
- Decorations:I also got some papel picado, those colorful tissue paper banners.
I arranged everything on a small table. It wasn’t huge or elaborate, but it felt meaningful. Putting the photos up was a little emotional, to be honest. It brought back a lot of good memories.
The Celebration
On the actual day, I lit the candles and just spent some time reflecting. I told a few stories about the people in the photos, kind of like I was talking to them. It was a quiet, personal celebration. I tried the pan de muerto I made – it was surprisingly good! It was a peaceful and surprisingly uplifting experience.
It was a really cool experience. I felt a deeper connection to the holiday and to my family history. I’ll definitely be doing this again next year, maybe even making it a bit bigger.
