The day of the little Angels/ El Día de los Angelitos

A Time of Celebration, Reflection, and Love

As October has drawn to a close, families worldwide came together to celebrate Halloween in a joyful, spirited way. Little ones dressed up in playful costumes, from superheroes to classic ghosts, and set off with bags in hand, ready to collect sweets on a night that lights up with excitement and eerie delight. Houses were decorated with carved pumpkins, spooky spiders, and witches on brooms, turning neighbourhoods into scenes from Halloween movies! For many of us, Halloween has become a beloved tradition, an evening for families to celebrate, laugh, and let imaginations run wild in the chill of the autumn air.

But as Halloween has come to a close, an equally meaningful celebration begins  for many families, especially in Mexico and parts of Latin America. November 1st and 2nd celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, a tradition rich in history and love, devoted to honouring the souls of loved ones who have passed on. A lovely animated film that showcases this beautiful way to honour departed loved ones, is CoCo by Disney's Pixar!

In some religions and cultures, today, November 1st it is known as All Saints Day a time of reflection, remembrance, and a renewal of faith but this post is to highlight the same day known as Día de los Angelitos in Mexico, that is dedicated to honouring the souls of children who left this world too soon. This day is a time to remember and cherish those young lives, and it’s commemorated in ways that are as beautiful as they are heartfelt.

Día de los Angelitos isn’t a time for sadness but a joyful remembrance. This celebration is deeply rooted in the belief that little loved ones come back to visit the living, and so families prepare to welcome them with open arms. Bright orange marigold flowers (cempasúchil)  the fragrance of copal incense, colourful  cut out paper decorations (papel picado) and beloved foods fill homes and cemeteries. Altars, known as ofrendas, are created with care, adorned with photographs, candles, and mementos to honour those who have passed.

For the little souls, offerings on the altars often include toys and special sweets, symbolising the innocence and joy they brought into the world. Families create spaces filled with love, ensuring that each ofrenda feels personal and unique, a tender reflection of the lives they honour. Some bring sugar skulls, decorated with bright colours, a symbol of life and death intertwined. The light of candles guides spirits back home, illuminating a path of love from the physical world to the spiritual, a way of keeping them close in memory.

So, this year, this weekend even though it may not be in your culture consider setting aside a candle, a flower, or a thought for loved ones passed, especially the little souls who are still remembered so deeply in the hearts of their families. May this season bring light, love, and cherished memories to each of us.