Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on October 31- November 2 by people of Mexican heritage, and has been made more popular by movies such as Book of Life and Coco. It is a day to remember and celebrate those who have died and support them in their spiritual journey. Traditional celebrations usually include an altar, called an ofrenda, that contains some of the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks, sugar skulls (calaveras), marigolds, pan de muerto ( a sweet bread with a crossbones design), candles, and pictures of loved ones. In some towns and cities, families also clean up their loved one’s graves and decorate them for the holiday.
Making a cute lunch for Dia de los Muertos is fun too! I make the sandwiches look like sugar skulls using a cookie cutter. To decorate the faces, I use sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, and pine nuts. You can use cream cheese or peanut butter, depending on what kind of sandwich you have made for lunch to make them stick. Because we live in Texas, the grocery stores usually sell Day of the Dead decorations and treats, which is where I got the cute cupcakes and skulls. Target had a whole section of napkins, plates, cups, and decorations. Whatever you use, your kids will just love opening up their lunch to something fun and different!
