- SUGAR SKULLS - fancy & colorful. Represent a departed soul
- FLOWERS - either wild marigolds, called cempasuchil (the aromatic flower of the dead) – or red cock’s comb
- CANDLES - from simple religious votives to elaborate
- COPAL INCENSE to direct the spirits to the ofrenda
- DRINKS - water for the tired, thirsty spirits returning from heaven or tequila /mezcal
- PAN DE MUERTO – “bread of the dead” - delicious decorated egg yolk bread flavored with anis, orange or nuts
- SILLY SKELETON FIGURINES - poke fun at death
- PERSONAL ITEMS THE SPIRIT ENJOYED IN LIFE- jewelry, Playboy magazine, cigar, lipstick, playing cards
- FESTIVE FOODS – traditional tamales, MOLE - a favorite necessity in the state of Puebla and Oaxaca, chocolate or skulls made from amaranth or tamerind
- PHOTOS OF THE DECEASED - this is a recent tradition as photos were so expensive in the past
