While many are busy getting ready for Halloween, we want to spice things up a bit for the bicultural families amongst us with a little Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) feast.

Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st in Mexico and some Latin American countries.  It´s a day to remember the loved ones in our lives that have passed on.  We remember them with joy and happiness.

Latinos know how to turn everything into a fiesta and give it color!  Typical Día de Muertos iconic figures include the vibrant calacas, or skeletons, and calaveras, or skulls.  We´ve rounded up the coolest finds around the web of decorations, clothing, accesories and books featuring dancing and smiling calacas y calaveras for your very own Muertos celebration.

Handmade Skull Garland

We found this garland, and the one pictured above, in Raw Bone Studio´s Etsy shop.  You get eight colorful and handmade felt skulls with different whimsical expressions.  Nothing dark or spooky here!  Garlands always set the tone.

They are a bit pricey for $40, but this is something you can store away in your Día de Muertos box and bring out every year.  The memories it will bring your kids every year will surely amount to much more.

Skull Ornament

Nine ornaments made to resemble the typical sugar skulls kids get as treats during this holiday. Each ornament is handmade with soft, lightweight fabric so you can hang these unique pieces anywhere you want to add some Muertos cheer.  We found these at Miss Butler´s Etsy shop for $45.  Think Muerto´s heirloom at its best.

EL FESTIVAL DE LAS CALAVERAS

This book´s complete title is Festival of Bones/El Festival de las Calavera: The Little-Bitty Book for the Day of the Dead. Author and illustrator Luis San Vicente created a bilingual (English/Spanish) book that´s perfect for young readers to learn more about the Day of the Dead and the festive, yet respectful, atmosphere that surrounds it. So festive, even skeletons dress up to party!
Find this book for $10.17 in La Tiendita.

Skull Felt Baby Shoes

Cute, cute, cute!  Franny and June´s Etsy shop has adorable and unique handmade felt shoes that you will want to get for every baby in your life.  They´ve made a girl´s and a boy´s version for  Día de los Muertos decorated with embroidered sugar skulls you´ll want to eat off!  Get a pair for $24 at their online store.

Skull Pendant

A skull pendant with colorful Buri beads from WinkArtisans brings the bling to the holiday and elevates the Day of the Dead calavera to a fashion statement.  Find it at their Etsy shop for $4o.

We still have more Día de Muertos Finds to share with you.  We´ll see you here tomorrow for the second part of this calaca and calavera feast!