I remember last year my mom sending me a message through Facebook on how to set up an ofrenda based on a timetable, which I had no idea that was how it could be done.
All I know for sure the main objects are
Glasses of water to quench the souls
Candles (preferably one for each soul you're remembering, but don't stress on the amount if it's a lot ^^)
A vial of salt to purify the souls
Copal incense to purify the area
Papel picado to represent wind
Their favorite food, also represents earth
Cempasúchil (marigolds) to represent the sun in the afterlife
Something I've noticed trying to do my own research into how to set up my Altar to turn it into a proper ofrenda, is that in English it's damn near impossible to find the information on how it should be done day by day. Surprisingly, it was just as hard to find in Spanish, although I'm not sure if I was using the right terms.
So for anyone who would like help setting up their ofrenda, here are the day by day steps I was told to follow:
Oct 28th, the first candle is lit and a white flower is placed on the ofrenda to welcome lonely souls.
Oct 29th, another candle is lit and the first glass of water is placed for the forgotten.
Oct 30th, another candle lit, another glass of water, and white bread is placed on the ofrenda for those who left without eating.
Oct 31st, a lit candle, glass of water, and another white bread as well as fruit are added to the ofrenda. This day is dedicated to great and great-great grandparents.
Nov 1st, All Saints Day. This day is dedicated to children. All the food (and toys) should be presented on this day.
Nov 2nd, All Souls Day (Day of the Faithful Departed). The adult souls arrive to visit, collect, and eat the ofrendas. Copal incense is burned and the path leading up to the ofrenda is adorned with cempasúchil petals to guide the souls to your offerings.
Nov 3rd, the last candle is lit and copal is burned. The souls are sent off and bid to visit next year.
This by no means is a strict guideline, and I can't even guarantee for sure how genuine it is to traditionalism, but what I can say is it helped me tremendously in setting up my Altar.
Some people have all the food set out a week in advance, and some don't put anything out until the day of. What matters is having fun and enjoying your set-up no matter how minimal it may be.
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