Feliz Dias de los Muertos!
Happy Days of the Dead!

Mexico’s joyful Days of the Dead is October 31-November 2, and Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join our celebration.

Come learn why this spooky-sounding holiday is actually anything but scary. Uncover the history of Los Dias de los Muertos and its celebration of dearly beloved — and departed — spirits. You can also delve into the rituals and traditions of this national holiday, such as setting up little alters called ofrendas and decorating them with sugar skulls and handmade skeletal figures called calacas. Before you leave, don’t forget to test your knowledge with our Did You Know trivia feature.

We look forward to celebrating Los Dias de los Meurtos with you!

Feliz Dias de los Muertos,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
November 01

Did you know that the Days of the Dead are actually a three-day celebration, beginning the evening of October 31 and culminating on November 3?

The Mexican holiday coincides with America’s Halloween, and many of the traditions have melded across the border. The holiday is also rooted in the Mexican people’s strong Catholic faith, which celebrates All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Days of the Dead (Los Dias de los Muertos)
A traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a joyous time of remembering friends, family and loved ones who have passed.

It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Some areas celebrate the holiday for one day, while other celebrate for 2 days.

Visit our Los Dias de los Muertos (the Days of the Dead) website for more.

Send DOD ecards: Holiday eCards on the Net

Its November 1st and the Holidays are fast approaching. So fast in fact the malls and stores have been showing signs of the Holiday Season! And we only celebrated Halloween yesterday!

November begins with Los Dias De Los Muertos, or Days of the Dead (Nov. 01-02). This import from Mexico and South America celebrates family and friends who have passed. Unlike the sorrow and sadness of the US culture of death, Los Dias De Los Muertos is a happy and jubilant time to remember and honor your loved ones. And there’s lots of smiling skeletons too!

Of course the biggest holiday in November is Thanksgiving (US). Celebrated on the 26th , there’s really only 4 weeks to get everything ready! In need of Turkey and stuffing recipes anyone?

And who can forget Black Friday and the beginning of the Christmas season? So start saving up those pennies because it feels like its going to be a quick month!

Here’s some fun facts about November…

Month of year: 11th
Days: 30
Birthstone: Topaz
Flower: Chrysanthemum
Season: Fall
Horoscope: Scorpio, Sagittarius
History:
Originally the ninth month of the Roman calendar, November was named for novem – the number nine
Important Observances:
US General Election Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday*

*source: Daily Holidays on the Net

British Airways has been running a much shorter version of this ad campaign in the UK promoting travel to Mexico by highlighting the Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) celebration. It gives a good idea of the traditions behind this joyous celebration.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
Oct 31 : DOD celebrations begin tonight

Did you know that calacas, handmade skeleton figurines, are a typical decoration in Mexico during the Day of the Dead?

Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife and traditionally feature generals on horseback, brides and grooms on their honeymoon, and musicians.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
October 30

Did you know that Mexican families set up elaborate alters called ofrendas during the Days of the Dead to welcome the spirit of departed loved ones for a brief visit?

Personal memorabilia, sugar skulls, and dishes containing the departed’s favorite foods are among some of the offerings left on the home alter.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
Oct 29 : 03 days till DOD

Did you know that Mexicans believe that spirits return to the Earth during the Days of the Dead to be with their families?

Angelitos, or little angel spirits, are believed to come on November 1, while adult spirits visit on November 2.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
Oct 28 : 04 days till DOD

Did you know that in pre-Hispanic times, the Mexican people were often buried directly underneath their homes, representing Mexican’s deep and personal ties with their dead?

This connection is reflected in the Mexican holiday of El D a de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, which is an opportunity for Mexicans to remember and pay tribute to their deceased loved ones.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore about the Jewish Holiday of Passover
March 26 : 13 days till 1st night Passover

Spring has arrived and with it comes the eight-day Jewish holiday of freedom. It?s time to clean out your chametz, open up a box of matzah and set up for your seder. So join us for our Did You Know? countdown to the start of Passover, which begins at sundown on April 08th, 2009

Did you know that Passover celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt?

On a broader level, the holiday also marks the birth of the Jewish nation, whose journey began with Moses leading them across the Red Sea and culminates with G-d* giving them the Torah on Mount Sinai fifty days later?

(*BTW – Did you know that Jews do not write the name G-d or L-rd? It has to do with the commandment about taking G-d’s name in vain. It is believed that if the name was written on a piece of paper and the paper was crumpled, discarded, or destroyed it would be considered a sin.).

We’ll be presenting a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to the first night of Passover on April 08th (begins at sundown)! So stop by again tomorrow.

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