Family Traditions
Even though I was born and raised in the U.S., my family is originally from Mexico, so we’ve kept a lot of traditions alive—especially when it comes to celebrations. One of my favorites is how we do Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Since most of my extended family is back in Mexico, we’ve had to get a little creative, but we make it work!
Every year, we set up an ofrenda in our living room—candles, marigolds, pan de muerto, and of course, pictures of our loved ones who have passed. But the best part? The storytelling. My parents and I sit around, sipping atole or hot chocolate, and share stories about my grandparents, great-grandparents—people I never got to meet but feel like I know through these memories. It’s this beautiful mix of laughter and nostalgia.
And the food—oh man, my mom goes all out. Tamales, mole, calaveras de azúcar—our kitchen basically turns into a feast. Even though we’re miles away from the rest of our family, celebrating this way makes us feel connected, like we’re keeping a little piece of Mexico right here with us.
Vocabulary:
raised – brought up or cared for while growing up, “She was raised in a small town by her grandparents.”
Día de los Muertos – Mexican holiday honoring and remembering loved ones who have died, “On Día de los Muertos, families gather to celebrate their ancestors.”
extended family – relatives beyond the immediate family, like cousins, uncles, and aunts, “My extended family meets every summer for a big reunion.”
ofrenda – an altar made during Día de los Muertos to honor the dead, with photos, food, and flowers, “They decorated the ofrenda with candles and pictures of their loved ones.”
marigolds – bright orange or yellow flowers often used in Día de los Muertos decorations, “The path was lined with marigolds to guide the spirits home.”
pan de muerto – a sweet bread traditionally made for Día de los Muertos, “We shared pan de muerto with hot chocolate after visiting the cemetery.”
passed (away) – died (a polite way of saying it), “My great-grandfather passed away before I was born.”
storytelling – sharing stories, often from family history or culture, “Family storytelling kept the children entertained all night.”
sipping – drinking slowly and quietly, “She was sipping hot tea while listening to the stories.”
great-grandparents – the parents of your grandparents, “My great-grandparents lived on a farm in Mexico.”
nostalgia – a warm, sometimes sad feeling when remembering the past, “Looking at old family photos filled him with nostalgia.”
go all out – put in a lot of effort to do something in a big or impressive way, “They decided to go all out with decorations for Día de los Muertos.”
feast – a large meal, often for a celebration, “We enjoyed a big feast with family after the wedding.”