Dia de los Muertos 2025 at Casa Kittling

 I put up my ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos early this year, probably because I'm rattling around in Casa Kittling solo and missing a few special people. However, it just dawned on me that it really doesn't matter when I do things. For example, if I want to have Christmas decorations up year round, there's nothing to stop me, right?  😉

By the way, it just occurred to me that some of you may not be familiar with Dia de los Muertos and what an ofrenda is. Here's what Google says: 

"An ofrenda is a traditional altar or offering set up in homes during Mexico's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration to honor deceased loved ones. Families create them to welcome the spirits of the dead back to the world of the living for the holiday, decorating them with photos, favorite foods and drinks, candles, and personal belongings to create a welcoming and celebratory space. The ofrenda is intended to welcome the spirits of deceased relatives back to visit their families. It is a place of joyous recollection and celebration, not sorrow, meant to remember the cherished moments shared with the deceased."

I've never been a fan of Halloween. When I was growing up, it seemed to be a time of tricks and not treats. Toilet paper strung everywhere, drive-by rotten tomato throwers, and the like. When I moved to Phoenix, I found Dia de los Muertos much more my style. I love the colors and the meaning of the celebration even though I don't have a traditional ofrenda. (For example, I don't put food on my ofrenda.)

Here are a few photos of my Dia de los Muertos ofrenda.

This table has the family photos.

This table holds some of the Dia de los Muertos items I've collected over the years.

The large photo is of my mother and me. Mom was incredibly camera-shy, but the last time we visited my grandparents/her parents, she insisted on being included in a couple of photos. It's almost as if she knew this would be the last time we'd all be together. The Donald Duck figure is in honor of my dad's (small photo-- the one Mom carried in her wallet) spot-on imitation of the Disney quacker. He liked to sit in the movie theater and give Donald x-rated dialogue during the cartoons.

Top photo: my grandfather. Next one down: my grandmother. Lower left: my aunt and uncle. Lower right: my great-grandparents. The chicken is for my mother (it wouldn't fit on the other stand). She had a long-standing feud with one of my great-grandmother's chickens. The little sewing machine is for my grandmother, who made most of my clothes when I was a child. She even made my prom dress.

I couldn't forget to show my Dia de los Muertos playing cards. Growing up, winter Saturday nights were spent at my grandparents' playing pinochle and canasta.

Denis's digital photo frame that cycles through many photos taken over the years we were together. The Kodak truck is for his work at Kodak. The yellow submarine is for his years as a submariner and also for his love of the Beatles. This photo was taken at the Oath Ceremony when he became an American citizen.

If any of you noticed the knitted runners on the tables, yes, I made them. Like I said at the beginning, I love the bright colors of Dia de los Muertos. They are an immediate sign that this is not a sad time but a time to celebrate.