Important education time. Say this with me, “Dia de los Muertos is NOT Halloween.“

These two holidays do have some bit of overlap but are very different. Halloween is not the same as Day of the Dead in a lot of ways. Think of a spooky fun celebration with Irish roots, to the other being days of remembrance with Mexican roots.

*Side note, the irony of me being a mix of these 2 doesn’t get lost on me. This was just meant to be my season I guess, lol. Probably also why I thought it would be good to share. Plus, you may have noticed a couple of movies that were not on the Halloween list. Well, there’s a good reason for that, they aren’t Halloween Movies!

“Coco” is a Día de los Muertos movie, same with “Book of Life,” as well as the wonderful short below. (If you haven’t already take the time to watch the short below, and warning if you are a softie like me have your tissues handy.)

While I very much love all these films and watch them close to Halloween time, they are very much for a separate holiday. These films are good at evoking that family-history feeling. This isn’t spooky or scary vibes, this is love, comfort, and a bright celebration of these lives.

Technically not even the days overlap, as Dia de los Muertos starts at Midnight, so right as technical calendar Halloween ends and November first begins. It also goes on multiple days. First for the young ones that passed away and the second (Nov. 2nd) for the adults.

So in my house, Halloween is typically set up like in September, mid-September if I’m feeling lazy, but it isn’t till about that last full week of October my Ofrenda starts its setup. In fact, I’m currently in the middle of taking stock of what I’m missing and getting together better photos or trinkets of those we have lost in the year before. Though there is something to the setup, actually there’s a really great day to day breakdown on Lolo – Modern Mexican Mercado’s Instagram you should checkout if you are curious.

Just the setup on its own is a good reminder of these people and what they meant to us. It’s really cathartic and I recommend it for those that have littles. It’s a nice way to make those memories sweet and it changes the death tone.

You are inviting your ones to come back party and visit this one time of year, like I said, comforting. Also, why the food/drink/water/salt elements are pretty key. I recommend doing some research when attempting to set up your own ofrenda.

Even if you aren’t Mexican, I see no reason why you can’t do it. Just do us a favor and do that research, buy your champurrado (ingredients) and pan de muerta from Mexican grocery stores or small businesses. Understand the symbolism of the sugar skulls (calavera), feel free to make them yourself, but know they aren’t the same as Halloween skeletons.

If you live in a border area you are probably lucky and will be able to find events and stores pretty easily. I don’t take living in San Diego for granted for sure! Old Town San Diego, Barrio Logan, Encinitas… there’s just a ton of fun colorful events to attend. Also, though I know there’s plenty of shops here. I’m personally a huge fan of Artelexia. If you live out my way, go! If not check out their online shop and order some goodies, trust me you won’t be disappointed.

I don’t know if you have ever thought about celebrating before or checking into if you have events by you before, but especially after all the 2020-2021 loss, I highly recommend it. Take in the culture, food, music, and sights! Or just spend some time with family and memories, maybe a movie night with one of the above. Just remember this isn’t “Halloween Part 2.” 😉 But please do tag me or comment below if you happen to partake in some of the fun or make an ofrenda of your own. I would love to see it!