Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the biggest holidays of the year in Mexico. The joyful celebration lasts for at least three days, from October 31 - November 2. Day of the Dead can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of Mexico and has been observed for 2500-3000 years. Outside of Mexico the holiday is often misunderstood, party because it occurs at the same time as Halloween. Even the name, Day of the Dead, reinforces cultural beliefs that death is scary, somber, or even satanic. In Mexico the mood is much brighter, celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased and of life itself. It is a time to remember people of the past. Plans for the festival are made throughout the year, and include gathering food and goods to honor the dead. Ofrendas, or offerings, decorate graves and homes with orange marigolds, favorite foods of the deceased plus pan de muerto ("bread of the dead") and calaveras de azucar or sugar skulls. Some families build small shrines in their homes that include brightly decorated pictures of deceased relatives along with scores of candles. Skeleton puppets and masks are often part of the celebration.