Dia de los Muertos is celebrated around the same time as Halloween, so the two holidays are often meshed together. But the Day of the Dead is actually very different from Halloween and not at all morbid like the name may suggest.

Dia de los Muertos or the "Day of the Dead" is a Mexican religious holiday that has grown in popularity over the years amongst those who are not Mexican, Catholic, or even religious. One of its popular icons, the sugar skull, has become a favorite design used in everything from wall art to dinnerware. The most important manifestations of this holiday are the ofrendas, or altars made of offerings, created in homes, businesses and public places. The altars honor the dead to assure the continuity of life. In the Mexican tradition, those who are dead provide the necessary connection between the living and God and the Saints. The celebration is not a mournful one, but rather a time to share with family and friends and to visit with the souls of the departed. The warm communal environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and the presence of friends and family members has pleasant overtones for most observ¬ers. This festive interaction between the living and the dead is a way of celebrating that life was and still is shared with the departed and is also recognition of the cycle of life and death. This cycle is the cycle of all forms of existence. Here are some of the recipes for Dia de los Muertos:

• Sugar Skulls

The most popular "Dia de los Muertos" ofrenda is sugar skulls. Sugar skulls are a traditional folk art from Central and Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead. Mounds of colorful sugar skulls are sold by vendors in the village open air markets during the week preceding Day of the Dead. Increasing numbers of non-traditional colorful candies such as decorated chocolate skulls and other Halloween candies are now competing with the traditional sugar skulls, which are becoming harder and harder to find in Southern Mexico. The skulls are made of a sugar mixture that has been pressed into molds and then dried. The dried sugar skulls are decorated with icing and sometimes non-edible items such as colored foil, feathers or sequins. The making of sugar skulls is a great project to share with friends and family while reflecting on the happy memories associated with lost loves ones. Sugar skulls aren't dark and morbid; they're colorful, whimsical and cheerful, sometimes even humorous. Then they're placed on the ofrenda along with all the other honorary gifts.

• Pan de Muerto

This sugary, sweet bread is enjoyed by the families of the deceased during Dia de los Muertos, as well as placed on the altar. The Pan de Muerto is a made into a loaf and extra dough is fashioned into decorations resembling bones. The bread is baked, glazed and decorated with colored sugar.

• Candied Pumpkin

This sweet dish consists of fresh pumpkin slices that are cooked in a piloncillo glaze. The Candied Pumpkin is also enjoyed by the family during Dia de los Muertos as well as placed on the altar.

• Chocolate Coffins and Skulls

These chocolate items are a newer addition to the altars. They can be plain or decorated with other edible items such as colored sugar, brightly colored candies or sprinkles. Chocolate Coffins and Skulls can be bought pre-made or you can make them yourself.

• Atole

A hot cup of masa gruel known as Atole is used to nourish and warm the spirits when they return and/or when they leave.

You don't have to be Catholic or even Christian to appreciate the artistic value of the sugar skull. On paper, the decorative shapes and lines can be even more intricate than on real sugar skulls piped with thick, sticky icing. What is the story behind this holiday? Legend says that the gates of heaven open at midnight, and that the souls of dead children – angelitos – are the first to visit their loved ones still on earth. They roam the earth for just one day, and then the following midnight, the gates are opened once again to allow the adult souls to descend.