Friday the Thirteenth
The 3rd of three Friday the Thirteenths in 2009.

The superstition of the day is believed to be either lucky or unlucky — depending on whom you ask.

photo credit: via flickr

Feliz Dias de los Muertos!
Happy Days of the Dead!

Mexico’s joyful Days of the Dead is October 31-November 2, and Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to join our celebration.

Come learn why this spooky-sounding holiday is actually anything but scary. Uncover the history of Los Dias de los Muertos and its celebration of dearly beloved — and departed — spirits. You can also delve into the rituals and traditions of this national holiday, such as setting up little alters called ofrendas and decorating them with sugar skulls and handmade skeletal figures called calacas. Before you leave, don’t forget to test your knowledge with our Did You Know trivia feature.

We look forward to celebrating Los Dias de los Meurtos with you!

Feliz Dias de los Muertos,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore About Mexico’s
Days of the Dead
(Los Dias De Los Muertos)
November 01

Did you know that the Days of the Dead are actually a three-day celebration, beginning the evening of October 31 and culminating on November 3?

The Mexican holiday coincides with America’s Halloween, and many of the traditions have melded across the border. The holiday is also rooted in the Mexican people’s strong Catholic faith, which celebrates All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd.

Los Dias de los Muertos (Days of the Dead), is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Unlike the modern-day interpretation of Halloween, Los Dias de los Muertos is neither morbid nor gloomy but rather a festive remembrance of those who have departed.

Los Dias de los Muertos, which is celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, can also be referred to as (the singular) El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

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Days of the Dead (Los Dias de los Muertos)
A traditional Mexican holiday honoring the dead. Los Dias de los Muertos is not a sad time, but instead a joyous time of remembering friends, family and loved ones who have passed.

It is celebrated every year at the same time as Halloween and the Christian holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1st and 2nd). Some areas celebrate the holiday for one day, while other celebrate for 2 days.

Visit our Los Dias de los Muertos (the Days of the Dead) website for more.

Send DOD ecards: Holiday eCards on the Net

Charlie Brown:
Well, another Halloween has come and gone.

Linus:
Yes, Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown:
I don’t understand it. I went trick-or-treating and all I got was a bag full of rocks! I suppose you spent all night in the Pumpkin Patch. And the Great Pumpkin never showed up?

Linus:
Nope.

Charlie Brown:
Well, don’t take it too hard, Linus. I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life too.

Linus:
Stupid!?! What do you mean stupid?? Just wait till next year. Charlie Brown. You’ll see…Next year at this same time. I’ll find a pumpkin patch that is real sincere.

And I’ll sit in that pumpkin patch till the Great Pumpkin appears…

He’ll rise out of that pumpkin patch and fly through the air with his bag of toys…

The Great Pumpkin will appear and I’ll be waiting for him…I’ll be there.

I’ll be sitting there in that pumpkin patch. And I’ll see the Great Pumpkin….*

Till next year Linus…

*Copyright United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

(This is our 4th annual “homage” to Charlie Brown, The Great Pumpkin and Halloween. See you next year!)

Here’s You Tube’s contribution to the Halloween holiday logo-thon across the web.

Not to be outdone by Google’s Halloween logo, Yahoo joins the fun with an animated ”omage” to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Featuring flying bats that “poof” into Thriller dancing Halloween icons – Werewolf, Witch, Dracula, Mummy, and of course Frankie!

British Airways has been running a much shorter version of this ad campaign in the UK promoting travel to Mexico by highlighting the Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos) celebration. It gives a good idea of the traditions behind this joyous celebration.

Halloween
A favorite holiday among kids, and many adults, Halloween is an ancient celebration that blends Druid and Christian customs. Long associated with spirits and ghosts, Halloween today is a reason to dress up in costume and trick-or-treat for candy.

Halloween is the time of Ghosts, Goblins, Gravestones and Graveyards. Of Spooks and Spirits and silly-fun tricks. Of Witches and Warlocks and Scary Black Cats. And Candy Corn, Jelly Apples, Pumpkins and Bats.

Come visit our Halloween celebration for some holiday fun. We’ve got Dancing Skeletons, Halloween stories, some ghosts, goblins and “jack-o-lanterns”, holiday pictures for the kids to print and color, and some tasty Halloween recipes to make and enjoy. We hope you find something you like!

Happy Halloween and come visit our Halloween sites:

Halloween fun: Halloween on the Net

Halloween Recipes: Holiday Eats

Halloween Crafts / Coloring Pictures: Holiday Arts and Crafts on the Net

Halloween eCards: Holiday eCards on the Net