Dia de los Muertos 2023 is here—how to celebrate and Mexican brands to shop
Celebrate the culture with these great brands
Credit:
Reviewed / Yo Soy AfroLatina / Bella Doña / Tia Lupita
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Dia de los Muertos 2023 is here! If you’re not in the know about Dia de los Muertos, it translates to "Day of the Dead" and it's a day all about celebrating the lives of those who have passed. As the day is a traditional Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos is also a great occasion to celebrate the culture and creativity of Mexicans and the Mexican diaspora. Here is everything to know about the holiday, as well as Mexican-owned and -founded brands to shop for the occasion.
What is Dia de los Muertos?
Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a traditional Mexican holiday that is a two-day event honoring those who have died. It is mostly celebrated in Mexico and in regions with large Mexican populations.
On Dia de los Muertos, the living remember those who have passed and give offerings to the dead to encourage their souls to visit. It’s a unique holiday as it celebrates those who have passed with a joyful, and at times humorous, tone instead of mourning them.
When is Dia de los Muertos 2023?
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated annually on November 1 and November 2. November 1 is when the spirits of children are said to visit. Beginning at midnight on November 2 to noon, the spirits of adults are said to visit. From noon to 11:59 p.m. on November 2, the souls are free to visit the land of the living.
How to celebrate Dia de los Muertos 2023
There are many ways to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. As it's a day to honor the deceased, those who celebrate will often visit cemeteries, create home altars called "ofrendas", cook the favorite meals of those who have passed, and spend time with family sharing memories of the dead. Gifting sugar candy skulls and making pan de muerto, a.k.a. bread of the dead, have become traditions in the two-day celebration as well. Oftentimes, the living may dress up and paint their faces for the occasion.
Mexican brands to shop for Dia de los Muertos 2023
SOMOS
Somos's “Mi Macha es Tu Macha” gift set comes with salsa macha chili crisps and a custom made spoon.
If you’ve found your stomach growling while reading, head on over to SOMOS, a Mexican-founded brand created by three friends “to replace the fake Mexican food” that’s endemic in America with genuine Mexican cuisine. There’s certainly a variety of delicious-sounding food to choose from such as Smoky Chipotle Mushrooms. Plus, the brand’s website offers tasty recipes to use its products in.
Get salsa macha, burrito bowl kits, rice and beans, veggie entrées, and chips and salsa at SOMOS.
Gay Pride Apparel
This brand's T-shirt designs often display a cheeky irreverence.
Two queer, first-generation Mexican Americans founded Gay Pride Apparel in 2019 to give queer people a clothing brand that not just represented them, but genuinely cared about them. If you’re looking to let your flag fly, Gay Pride Apparel sells clothing, accessories, and, of course, flags.
This Mexican American-owned LGBTQIA+ Pride company offers hoodies, graphic tees, hats, flags, mugs, and more.
Yo Soy AfroLatina
Bold, declarative slogans and prints mark this Afro-Latina proud brand's designs.
Yo Soy AfroLatina is based around the idea that Latina individuals come in many different shapes and sizes. Growing up, founder Bianca Kathryn, a Detroit-raised Afro-Latina, didn’t see many other Latina women who looked like her. This changed when she began visiting her ancestral home of Mexico and was overjoyed to see other Afro-Latinas. Yo Soy AfroLatina was born from the desire to show the beauty and presence of Afro-Latinas. The shop sells a variety of products such as phone cases, bonnets, mugs, tote bags, and t-shirts.
This Afro-Latina-owned shop celebrates Latinidad of all kinds with its selection of clothing, accessories, and lifestyle items.
Hedley & Bennett
This brand's aprons boast durability and a cute design sense.
Hedley & Bannett was founded by half-English, half-Mexican professional chef Ellen “EB” Marie Bennett. As a chef, EB wanted a more durable (not to mention, stylish) apron and as a result, Hedley & Bennett was born. It has since expanded beyond just making great aprons, as the brand sells all sorts of cooking gear such as knives and oven mitts.
An ever-expanding line of products including aprons, knives, gear, and kitchen linens awaits at Hedley & Bennett.
Tia Lupita hot sauce
Tortillas round out the offerings of this hot sauce maker.
If you’ve got a taste for hot foods, you’ll love this next brand. No matter where you’re from, it can be an adjustment immigrating to another country, but Hector Salvador was always reminded of his Mexican home after moving to San Francisco thanks to his mother shipping him bottles of her homemade hot sauce. With her blessing, Hector began to sell the hot sauce and named it after his mother, affectionately referred to as “Tia Lupita.” In addition to the delectable hot sauce, the shop sells healthy products like cactus tortilla chips.
Tia Lupita doesn't just sell hot sauce—offerings include tortillas, tortilla chips, salsa macha, and variety packs.
La Monarca Bakery
Customers rave about La Monarca's Mexican hot chocolate made with organic cacao beans and cinnamon.
Looking for a new coffee to try? Look no further than the Mexican-owned brand La Monarca Bakery. Beyond their organic and preservative-free coffee, the brand also sells baked goods like Mexican wedding cookies. If that wasn’t reason enough to shop, 1% of the shop’s proceeds go to supporting programs that protect and preserve the monarch butterfly.
Coffee, hot chocolate, polvorones, and orejitas are the hallmarks of La Monarca Bakery.
Bella Doña
Bella Doña's fashions include eye-catching belts, handbags, and earrings.
Bella Doña is a Los Angeles brand with Mexican-American origins. The fashion brand is made by and made for Mexican-American women who love street style, selling a variety of jewelry, sweaters, and bags, too.
Cute with an edge, Bella Doña sells shirts, hoodies, tube tops, dresses, jewelry, and bags.
Cemcui
Cemcui's wares are high quality, traditional, and authentic.
Cemcui, a proud Mexican brand on Etsy, sells handmade kitchen and serving tools. The brand was born with the idea that every home should have something Mexican in it, and when you see the gorgeous products, you'll want to get your hands on them.
Cemcui sells a wide array of gorgeous, sturdy kitchen tools and even the occasional traditional ornament.
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