October is a great month to host a gathering or party, and it doesn’t always have to be related to Halloween. This Oct. 31, why not try something new by celebrating the Day of the Dead? This Mexican holiday traditionally served as a gathering to pray for and remember friends and family who have died. It’s a fun alternative to typical Halloween bashes, and Jacquelyn Kazas of Beijos Events designed and planned an amazing kid-friendly and educational Day of the Dead party that is sure to impress guests of all ages. Read on to learn more about the inspiration behind this gathering and all the amazing details that brought this party to life.
One of the things I love about raising my kids is exposing them to different cultures. I was raised by an immigrant—my dad was born in Portugal, and my sister and I were brought up immersed in that culture. Along with that, my parents would try to expose us to as much diversity as possible, which I always appreciated and loved. My best friend and business partner, Leah, is the same way, but was raised Mexican.
With the new Disney Pixar movie “Coco,” which is based on the Mexican holiday the Day of the Dead, we were even more inspired to introduce our kids to this tradition. Leah, being Mexican, is much more familiar with it so her and her kiddos shared that part of their culture with us!
I designed a table inspired by the holiday and movie. It was bright and colorful and full of life! I teamed up with some amazing vendors like Wild Child, Rooted & Wild, Prim & Pixie, Sweet & Saucy Shop, The Daydream Republic and The Confetti Bar to make it all come alive. My favorite though, and I think the kids would agree, was having each child’s face painted. Couture Paintings had everyone in awe with the intricate and beautiful creations on each little one’s face—they were each unique and equally amazing!
It was a fun party combined with learning and diversity. Most of the kids are from different backgrounds—Mexican, Portuguese, Spanish, Moroccan, Irish and German to name a few! We looked at it as a way to teach and gather a group to make learning fun! Thank you to Leah and her kiddos for sharing your culture with us! We can’t wait for “Coco” and for our kids to learn more about the Mexican culture.
Dresses & Blanket: Gunn & Swain // Blanket on Chairs: Siestas for Fiestas
