Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead or All Souls Day, has has been an important festival in Mesoamerica since pre-Columbian times.

It is a time of festivity and joy, not mourning. Families gather to welcome the souls of the dearly departed—human and animal—who return from the spirit world for an annual visit home to the loved ones they’ve left behind. What a nice concept!

The celebration begins on November 1st and ends on November 2nd. Despite the timing and skulls, it has no relation to Halloween (here’s the history of Halloween). Analogies to the Celtic-based Halloween are purely coincidental.

The celebration of the Mayas and Aztecs evolved into what today is a large Mexican festival, incorporating:

Drink your coffee from a joyful skull. Photo courtesy Inked Shop.

Not into coffee or sugar skulls? Perhaps a bottle of Crystal Head Vodka is for you. Photo courtesy Crystal Head.

 
YOUR OWN SKULL MUG

You’ve got time to order a celebratory mug.

The Mexican Sugar Skull Giant Mug in the photo above costs just $14.95 from InkedShop.com.

High quality ceramic, dishwasher and microwave safe, it’s inspired by the Day of the Dead sugar skulls, but perfectly at home year-round.

Or perhaps you’d prefer a skull full of vodka?