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Day of the Dead Party Essentials

Day of the Dead Party Essentials

Mexico 1492 - Day of the Dead Party Essentials

One of the most extravagant, opulent and unforgettable celebrations in Mexico is the Day of the Dead, taking place on November 1st and 2nd, on the All Saints and the Day of the Faithful Departed. Witnessing the gatherings in small town cemeteries, with flowers, candles, food, booze and the colorful, festive atmosphere is a very special treat, recommended to all – one to add to your bucket list.

Mexico 1492: Day of the Dead in Mexico - Flowers market, night and day at the cementery

The relationship Mexican culture fosters with their dead is full of closeness, companionship, fun and acceptance of death as a continuum of life, not the end. There is no fear or terror linked to it, which enables any Mexican to deal with the idea of death in a manner different from the rest of the world. It is a topic people talk about, being very relaxed, commenting on the time when they are not around without any dread of evoking the doom. However, a typical Mexican enjoys the ghost stories more than anything and will have a thrill of their life telling you about “la niña” (the girl) that supposedly died in that place where you are in that moment, and comes back to haunt everybody, eat their food, pop up from the walls and such.  Mexico 1492: Day of the Dead in Mexico - the gatherings at the cementery

During October, life-sized papier-mâché skeletons are everywhere, not as a frightening prop but rather as a decoration – wrapped in colorful clothes, hats, fathered boas, sitting on a chair in a beauty salon, restaurant or in a bar, appearing to be a friendly neighbor about to start a chat. On November 2nd, folks write funny speeches and poems that they would recite on each other’s funerals,  then read them out loud, to each other, having loads of fun.  

Mexico 1492 - Skeletons coming out to enjoy life around the Day of the Dead, Mexico

If you can’t be in Mexico on those dates, you can just as well create that festive feeling in your own homes and share it with your circle of friends. Here are the tips on how to organize a party that will be all the rage and the talk of the town for at least a year. Let’s get to it…

 

 Mexico 1492 - Day of the Dead Altar (Ofrenda)

1. La Ofrenda – The Altar

The most traditional element of the Day of the Dead in Mexico, and a must have in every home, dedicated to the departed. It is the wonderful mixture of Indigenous and European influences. Every impressive altar needs to contain the following:

Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of teh Dead Party - Flowers

  • Flowers - The most typical are the fiery orange marigold flowers, called Cempasúchil (it means “four hundred petals”), that represent joy and the sunshine, which lead the spirit of the dead in the Aztec tradition. In addition to that, buy some magnificent, pink-purple Terciopelo (velvety Celosia Cristata), that add drama and excitement. Other flowers frequently used are white baby breath (nube, stands for cloud in Spanish) for purity and all sorts of chrysanthemum. The flowers represent the Earth, as one of the 4 elements. The flowers will decorate the altar, frequently placed in an arch as the gates, while some petals should be placed on the ground as a path that will guide the souls on their journey.
Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Water & Incense
  • Copal or Incense – Copal is an aromatic resin from the copal tree, used since pre-Columbian times to drive away the evil spirits. Represents Air.
  • Glass of Water – to quench the thirst of the dead, after a long journey. Represents the Water element, of course.
  • Candles – The flame represents the light, faith and hope that guide the souls to their old home, and back. Represent Fire.
Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Candles
  • Salt – A purifying element, keeps the body from decay during the travel.
  • Banquet – Pan de Muerto (recipe here), cigarettes, alcohol, favorite food of the departed are there to host the visiting souls as they deserve. Fruit, grains, offer the nature’s abundance to this picture. The story goes that the food placed on La Ofrenda never gets spoiled, but loses the flavor, as the souls feast on it and take out the essence.
Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of teh Dead Party - Food & Drink
  • Photographs and personal items of the departed - You will probably find this part especially emotional and understand the feeling of closeness and unity with the dead that the Mexican culture nurtures. These items will remind us of the joys and the shared moments with our loved ones.
  • Sugar and Chocolate Skulls – Representing the dead, but frequently, for fun, bought with the names of the living written on their foreheads. Available at any market in Mexico during October, but probably the nicest examples can be found in Feria del Alfeñique in Toluca.
Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Personal Items
2. Papel Picado

Color, wild and overwhelming, an indispensable element of any Mexican party, especially on this occasion, when the garlands of papel picado (banners of tissue paper with cut outs, depicting different scenes) bring in all the colors together perfectly. For the Day of the Dead, you need the papel picado with the skeletons dancing, playing guitars, cooking and partying. Papel picado should be placed at the altar, as well as hung around the room or the patio for the festive atmosphere. You can find those in our shop, but hurry because they are being sold fast. 

Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Papel Picado

3. Pan de Muerto – The Bread of the Dead

    The Bread of the Dead represents the body of the departed, but are happily eaten by the living, because it is delicious. There is a classic recipe for the version of this yummy, buttery pastry by the chef Yury de Gortari in our blog. As a special treat, we will add another recipe for the irresistible Pan de Muerto from Mitla, Oaxaca, decorated with meringue drawings, and made only during the week of October 25th till November 2nd. That scarcity adds to its allure. Stay tuned, Mitla recipe coming soon.

    Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Pan de Muerto 

    4. Favorite Food in Stunning Dishes

      The traditional food choice for the Day of the Dead would be something special that the departed loved. In Mexico it is usually a festive version of tamale and mole of all kinds. You can prepare whatever you chose, but for this occasion, it will look its absolute best in the famous elegant, shiny black clay plates from Oaxaca. The drinks can be served from the mysterious black clay tumblers or blown glass in a dark shade of Smoke. Your guests will be amazed. 

       

      Mexico 1492 - 5 Things You Need for a Smashing Day of the Dead Party - Favorite Food in Stunning Dishes5. Dressing Up

      This kind of party requires the same style of costumes. The best options are skeletons dressed in fancy, elegant clothes, long dresses with feathered hats, wedding gowns, traditional huipiles or with a Frida Kahlo-styled flower headband, tuxedos with top hats. If you are skillful with make-up, go crazy with the white, black and red color, make your face look as a skull with flowers and add sequins for the finishing touches. We got some ideas for you in our Pinterest board called Day of the Dead, that you can consult here.

      Now gather the crowd and have a blast!

      And we want pictures - please tag us on Instagram (@Mexico.1492) or Facebook (@Mexico1492).

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