As children in the U.S. prepare for their Halloween candy, costumes and haunted houses, it's interesting that other countries celebrate the holiday but, often, in ways that still refer back to the roots of the original religious meaning.
Our Halloween of October 31 is the eve of All Hallows’ Day (All Saints’ Day.) The day after that, November 2 is All Souls’ Day, the day honoring deceased family, friends and ancestors.
Mexico celebrates the three-days together, maintaining the familial and religious aspect. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead.)
The animated movie “Coco” is based on Dia de los Muertos as a young boy tries to help his dad be remembered. (It’s very entertaining, by the way even for adults!) The movie includes many of the traditions as Mexican families create an altar on which they may place photographs, flowers, and treats to honor deceased relatives. This is their time to refresh graves, decorating them with flowers, wreaths, photographs.
Not that families are ghoulish about it. Dias de los Muertos adds in bright dolls, decorations, and candies. But instead of miniature Snickers, the sweets are shaped like skulls and skeletons.
As for that newly decorated grave, on the final day of the celebration of November 2, families gather in cemeteries to host their deceased with where they chat, reminisce, and gather for picnic with all the relatives living. And dead.
For a "Mexican" celebration, your family might want to gather in front of the TV to watch "Coco" with a picnic of Halloween candy!
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