How to Make an Ofrenda for the Dia de Muertos

This is all you need to create a special ofrenda or altar for Dia de Muertos.

I’ve partnered with Family Dollar to share with you some great ideas to create a colorful and special ofrenda or altar de muertos in your home.

Day of the dead or Dia de Muertos was probably my favorite tradition when I was a kid. I have vivid memories of me with my mother, little brothers and sister putting together the ofrenda. Our favorite part was helping mom cut pieces of tissue paper to make the papel picado! We also loved taking out old albums to look at pictures of our family members and friends who have passed away. My mom used to make us hot cocoa and tell us stories about my grandpa while we helped her with the ofrenda and that was pretty awesome.

This year I got to make my ofrenda with a bit of help from my baby. Ok, he is only 7 months old, so I couldn’t expect much help from him, but he took a nap while I was making the altar and guys, that was the most helpful thing of all. My ofrenda is ready in my home and I couldn't be happier with it!

I got the cardstock paper to make the table runner, tissue paper for the papel picado, fabric marigolds, plastic vases, candles and those cool frames at Family Dollar.

How to Make a Dia de Muertos Altar or Ofrenda:

To make your ofrenda or altar de muertos, start by looking for a place in your home that would really stand out. Any table in your kitchen or dining room area will work. You can add a tablecloth, or make something creative like an original table runner made out of colorful cardstock paper sheets like I did.

1. Make punched paper (papel picado).

I just love the joy that comes from paper picado. Papel picado is made traditionally with tissue paper. They sell beautiful and intricate designs in some places, but you can make your own by cutting tissue paper into small rectangles and cutting out squares, triangles and circles from them.

In the day of the dead or Dia de Muertos, the papel picado represents the wind.

2. Add pictures of your beloved ones.

Take out old albums and look for pictures of your beloved ones that passed away. This is a great opportunity to share stories about their lives with the family.

I dedicated my altar to Frida Kahlo, Selena Quintanilla and Pedro Infante, some characters that represent my culture with pride and that I admire.

3.  Add some candles to your Dia de Muertos Ofrenda.

Get a few candles of different sizes and colors to make the ofrenda more fun. The candles represent fire in your altar.

4. Add water.

Add a glass of water to the altar. Water is added to quench the thirst of the dead when they arrive to your home on Dia de Muertos.

5. Create a banquet.

Add any food and beverages that your loved ones used to love! It’s at the end, a great way to remember all those things they used to enjoy in life.

6. Don’t forget some Marigold Flowers.

The traditional flowers for the Dia de Muertos celebration are marigolds. I was so happy to get a few flowers that look like marigolds from Family Dollar! Artificial flowers are great because they can be stored for your ofrenda next year and you can find them in many colors which is ideal for this festive celebration.

7. Get a sugar skull for your Dia de Muertos Altar.

Adding sugar skulls could feel a bit gloomy, I have to admit it. But the interesting thing about this feeling, is that death to the ancient Mesoamericans was a stage of life that extended to another level, something not scary at all.

This year I couldn’t find the traditional sugar skulls in my local tiendita, so I painted a ceramic skull and decorated it with markers. I just wanted to add this special element to the ofrenda.

I hope you have a special day bringing back memories while making the ofrenda for the day of the dead this year!

Pedro Infante Dia de Muertos Altar

Here is another altar I created a few years ago:

How to Make a Day of the Dead Altar?

The idea is similar, and you can see in a simple way all the important elements you need to add for your Day of the Dead altar this year.

More Dia de Muertos craft ideas HERE:

Dia de Muertos Craft Ideas.

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