Halloween was at the beginning of the week, do you know what that means? It means it is time to get out your skeletons and sombreros and celebrate Día de los Muertos (also known as: Day of the Dead). Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that happens on November 1^st through 2^nd every year. Those dates correspond with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day (November 1^st) and All Souls Day (November 2^nd).

Día de los Muertos is devoted to paying respects to friends and family who have passed on. Typically families will gather and pray for those deceased who were special in their lives. For some, Día de los Muertos is just another excuse to party after Halloween.

This year, Halloween fell on a Monday so many of my friends were partying Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. If five straight days of partying isn’t enough for you, I recommend getting in the spirit of Día de los Muertos by making a Calavera (also known as a sugar skull). Instructions provided here. Traditionally, Calaveras were created to be used as a decoration for an altar honoring the dead. Many Mexican families go to great lengths to build elaborate altars and decorations honoring their deceased loved ones.

During the week leading up to Día de los Muertos street market vendors sell Calaveras adorned in many beautiful, bright colors and designs. Calaveras originated in Southern Mexico and are widely considered to be a form of Mexican folk art. According to tradition, these Calaveras are supposed to have the name of the deceased present in the design.