Reformation Day, Day of the Dead, All Saint's Day

There are a lot of different traditions and events wrapped up in October 31. All Hallow's Eve, the 31st, is more commonly called "Halloween" and has been turned into a pursuit of candy and costumes. But it wasn't always that way!

All Hallow's Eve - All Saint's Eve, the day before All Saint's Day (Nov 1) - is a church holiday. Many Latin cultures still celebrate it under the name "Day of the Dead" or Dia de los Muertos. It's a day to remember the saints who have gone before us, and also Christ conquering death on the cross. It is at the end of the church's liturgical calendar and is a picture of the end of time. It's a day to laugh at death - that mere pause in our eternal lives.

Instead of the beautifully ornate sugar skulls associated with Dia de los Muertos, we created our own sugar-y skulls: cupcakes! I forget where I originally saw this idea....Martha? BHG?? One of you will remember and tell me, right?



And dinner wouldn't be complete without some "mummies" - I'm not normally into the ghosts and ghouls, but this idea was too fun and easy to pass up. OK, you might have to use your imagination to see the little guys peeking out between their crescent roll wrappings. YOu get the idea.
You could tie this in with a study on Ancient Egypt or King Tut if the connection with Halloween isn't your thing.