As the cold creeps in and the leaves on the trees turn brown and copper, Autumn is well and truly here. October is now coming to a close and Halloween is rolling in. Nothing captures the spooky season quite like a pumpkin.
Last year we wrote a blog on pumpkin arrangements and how to dress your pumpkin. One of the best uses for a pumpkin is turning it into a vase for flowers, whether it is for a table centerpiece or for Halloween decorations.
Check out last years blog on ‘How To Dress Your Pumpkin’ here.
Halloween is celebrated differently all around the world but this time of year is particularly important in Mexico and for Mexican families.
‘Dia de los Muertos’ is Mexicos ‘Day of the Dead’. The holiday celebrated annually from October 31 to November 2 involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember loved ones who have passed on, and helping support their spiritual journey. Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of life rather than death and celebrates those who have moved on to the next.
To celebrate this holiday there are parades with music and performers as well as face painting and costumes and lots of food and drink. Also, people build colourful alters on graves and in their home dedicated to the departed. These alters are dressed in bright flowers, candles, sugar skulls and decorations. Flowers in particular play a huge role in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos.
The flowers used on these alters are mainly marigolds, these vibrant blooming flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings and it is also believed the bright petals with a strong scent can guide the souls from cemeteries to their family homes. Through out Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico or Mexican households you will see marigolds arrangements everywhere in doorway garlands or on alters.
Marigolds are also used in the creation of flower crowns for the Day of the Dead celebrations which are worn at parades.
If you are looking to decorate your home, school or workplace with something different this year, why not try out a day of the dead theme and take a moment to reconnect with departed souls.
