Deborah Cruz

Hey there, fellow memory-keepers and tradition-embracers! Today, we’re diving into something that’s close to my heart: creating a Day of the Dead altar, or as it’s known in Spanish, a Día de los Muertos ofrenda.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Isn’t that a bit… morbid?” But trust me, it’s anything but! This beautiful tradition is all about celebrating the lives of those we’ve lost, keeping their memories alive, and maybe even sharing a laugh or two with them from beyond the veil. So, grab a cup of coffee (or a shot of tequila – I won’t judge), and let’s get started on creating an altar that’ll make your ancestors proud!

Why Create a Day of the Dead Altar?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why we’re doing this in the first place. Day of the Dead isn’t about mourning – it’s about celebration! Why else do you think we dress as sugar skulls and Calaveras. You saw my Dia de Los Muertos make-up tutorial, this is serious business. Family is as sacred as it gets in the Mexican culture. It’s a time to remember our loved ones, share stories about them, and keep their spirits alive in our hearts and homes. Plus, it’s a fantastic excuse to eat pan de muerto and drink some good tequila. Win-win, right?

Choosing Who Goes on Your Altar

Now, here’s where it gets personal. Who do you put on your altar? Well, that’s entirely up to you, my friend. In my family, we keep it to immediate family members – parents, grandparents, siblings, and (heaven forbid) children. But hey, if you want to include your great-aunt Mildred who always snuck you candy when your mom wasn’t looking, go for it! There are no hard and fast rules here.

The key is to choose people who were significant in your life. Those who shaped you, loved you, or maybe even drove you a little crazy (in the best way possible). Remember, this is about honoring their memory and the impact they had on your life. So, whether it’s family, friends, or even beloved pets, if they left a pawprint on your heart, they deserve a spot on that altar!

Now, Let’s Get Down to Business: Creating Your Altar Step-by-Step

Step 1: Location, Location, Location!

First things first, we need to choose where to set up our altar. In my house, we use the fireplace hearth. It’s perfect – centrally located, plenty of space, and it gives me an excuse not to clean the chimney for another month.

Pro tip: If you’re using your fireplace like we do, make sure you don’t plan on lighting any fires before November 3rd. Unless, of course, you want to give your ancestors a warm welcome… and possibly burn down your house in the process. Safety first, people!

Step 2: Deck the Halls… I Mean, Altar

Now that we’ve got our spot, it’s time to decorate! This is where you can let your creativity shine. I personally love to use:

• Colorful table runners (the brighter, the better!)
• Papel picado (those beautiful paper banners)
• Flameless candles (because, again, we don’t want to burn the house down)
• LED lights (to give it that otherworldly glow)

Feel free to add your own flair! Maybe your abuela loved sunflowers, or your dad was obsessed with the Cowboys. Incorporate those personal touches – that’s what makes your altar unique. I usually add the personal touches on Dia de los Muertos. For an example, there is always pan con leche for my Abuelito Manuel and a Big Mac for my Tio Narcizo.

Step 3: Make a List, Check It Twice

It’s time to channel your inner Santa ( I know I’m mix metaphoring with my holiday vernacular) and make a list. But instead of naughty or nice, we’re listing our beloved departed. Now, I come from a family big enough to populate a small country, so I had to set some boundaries. I stick to the immediate family – from my children (I include my beloved third child, Declan, who I never got to hold but hopefully that section stays empty for a long, long time on yours) up to my grandparents.

For extended family and friends, I have a special “Book of the Dead.” No, it’s not as ominous as it sounds! It’s just a beautiful journal where I write the names of all those other special people we want to remember. This book gets a place of honor on the altar too.

Step 4: Picture This

Next up, it’s time to print some photos. This is where you get to take a trip down memory lane. Grab your Kleenex, this is the part that hits me right in my feels.  Choose photos that capture the essence of your loved ones – maybe that picture of Grandpa mid-laugh at a family BBQ, or the one of your college roommate making that ridiculous face she always did.

Now, frames. You’ve got three options here:

1. Buy in bulk from places like Amazon. Pro: Matching frames. Con: Might break the bank.
2. Hit up your local Dollar Tree. Pro: Cheap as chips. Con: Might look like you bought them at Dollar Tree.
3. If you are independently wealthy and money is not an obstacle, you can hit up fancier shops and buy individual frames to match the vibe of those you are honoring on your altar.

Choose your favorites. Personally, I mix and match. It adds character… at least that’s what I tell myself.

Step 5: Arrange and Rearrange

Time to play interior decorator! Arrange those frames on your altar. There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but I like to mix and match my family and my husband’s side. Usually, people put the oldest generation at the top and work their way down. It’s like a family tree, but more… vertical. I, personally, the baby I lost at the top because for me, that is the biggest loss I’ve suffered so far in this life. 

As you’re setting up, feel free to add more decorations. Maybe some battery-operated string lights to give it that magical glow, or some marigolds (the official flower of Day of the Dead) to brighten things up. I also add Monarch mariposas ( butterflies). Why?

Butterflies hold a special significance in Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altars and traditions. Here’s an explanation of their importance:

1. Symbol of souls: In Mexican folklore and Aztec beliefs, butterflies are often seen as representations of the souls of the departed. They’re believed to embody the spirits of loved ones who have passed away.
2. Return of spirits: Monarchs in particular are associated with Dia de los Muertos because their annual migration to Mexico coincides with the holiday. This timing has led to the belief that the butterflies carry the souls of the deceased back to the world of the living for this brief reunion.
3. Transformation and rebirth: Butterflies symbolize transformation due to their life cycle. This connects to the idea of life, death, and rebirth that is central to Dia de los Muertos.
4. Aztec mythology: In Aztec mythology, the goddess Itzpapalotl was depicted as an obsidian butterfly. This further cements the connection between butterflies and the spiritual realm in Mexican culture.
5. Decoration: Paper or fabric butterflies are often used to decorate ofrendas (altars) as a way to welcome and represent the spirits of the deceased.
6. Natural beauty: Butterflies add a touch of natural beauty and color to the altar, complementing the other vibrant decorations typically used.
7. Freedom of the soul: The ability of butterflies to fly freely is sometimes interpreted as representing the freedom of the soul after death.

When including butterflies on a Dia de los Muertos altar, they’re often placed near photos of the deceased or scattered among the other offerings. They serve as a beautiful and meaningful addition to the altar, reinforcing the connection between the living and the dead during this special time of remembrance and celebration.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

Now for the fun part – personalizing your altar with ofrendas (offerings) for your loved ones. This is where you really get to show how well you knew them. Did Tio Ramon have a sweet tooth? Mine did. Put out his favorite candies. Did GiGi like margaritas? A small bottle of her favorite tequila  might be in order (and no, you can’t drink it yourself… at least not until after November 2nd).

Some ideas for ofrendas:

• Favorite foods and drinks
• Personal items (Dad’s old pipe, Mom’s favorite lipstick)
• Candles
• Sugar skulls (bonus points if you make them yourself!)
• Pan de muerto (because who doesn’t love bread?)

Remember, the more personal, the better. This is about creating a space that would make your loved ones feel at home if they were to pop in for a visit.

The Final Touch: Making It Meaningful

Here’s the thing, creating a Day of the Dead altar isn’t just about following steps or making things look pretty. It’s about creating a space for remembrance, for storytelling, for keeping the spirits of our loved ones alive in our hearts and homes.

As you’re setting up your altar, take time to remember. Tell stories about the people you’re honoring. Laugh about their quirks, cry about how much you miss them, maybe even argue with them a little (hey, old habits die hard). This process isn’t just about honoring the dead – it’s about healing the living.

So, there you have it – your step-by-step guide to creating a Day of the Dead altar that would make your ancestors proud (and maybe a little jealous they didn’t think of it first). Now, I want to see what you create!

Share photos of your altars on social media with the hashtag #MyDayOfTheDeadAltar. Let’s create a virtual community of remembrance, sharing stories and honoring our loved ones together. And hey, if you’re feeling really brave, share a story about one of the people on your altar. Let’s keep their memories alive, one post at a time.

Remember, creating a Day of the Dead altar isn’t about perfection – it’s about love, memory, and maybe a little bit of tequila. So don’t stress if it’s not magazine-worthy. As long as it comes from the heart, you’re doing it right.

Now go forth and create, my fellow memory-keepers. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel a little closer to those you’ve lost in the process. After all, isn’t that what Día de los Muertos is all about?

Until next time, keep those memories alive and those candles (flameless, of course) burning!