The Traditional Quinceanera...
Step by Step
 
Today's Quinceanera ceremonies still embrace religious traditions and the virtues of family and social responsibility. The custom is a celebration of the young girl (la Quinceanera), and a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity. The celebration highlights God, family, friends, music, food, and dance. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A reception is held in the home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her court. The Quinceanera traditionally wears a ball gown, with her court usually dressed in gowns and tuxedos. Guests usually receive small tokens or favors to commemorate the celebration.
 
The Traditions
î It is customary for the Quinceanera to receive the following gifts for her ceremony:
î Traditional accessories for this special occasion might be:

î Step 1

Know that the Quinceanera (the girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday) has a "court" of up to fourteen other young people, typically equal numbers of males and females. The Quinceanera's court is expected to dress in formal wear.

î Step 2

Get the Quinceanera an appropriate gift, as dictated by tradition. Traditional presents for the occasion include a tiara, a Bible and rosary set, earrings, a crucifix or necklace, a bracelet and a ring.

î Step 3

Know that a church ceremony is part of a Quinceanera celebration in many traditions.

î Step 4

Give the Quinceanera a quince doll. This doll, which is outfitted in a pink dress identical to the Quinceanera's gown, signifies the girl's passage from girlhood to womanhood.

î Step 5

Have the Quinceanera put on a pair of flat shoes for the traditional first dance of the occasion, which sees the debutante dance with her father. The Quinceanera will then change into high heels, signifying her passage into adulthood, and may dance with whomever she chooses.

 
The Celebration
î There are many traditions throughout the celebration. At the church ceremony, an XV pillow specially decorated with the Quinceanera's name, is placed in position for the young girl to kneel on during the ceremony. Smaller decorated pillows are also used for the presentation of the Quinceanera's gifts. At the reception, there is always the toast to the Quinceanera, known as the brindis. With specially decorated champagne glasses for the Quinceanera, the guests are invited to offer their congratulations and best wishes. The Quinceanera Doll, symbolizing the perfection of the event and the Quinceanera, is used as both a decoration and a keepsake. In some customs, the cápias (printed ribbons with the Quinceanera's name and date) are pinned to the doll, and the Quinceanera circulates among her guests, thanking them for their presence and presenting them with a memento taken from the doll.

î Step 1

Arrange a church ceremony at one of the Hispanic Catholic churches located in your locale.

î Step 2

Rent out a banquet hall or Latino restaurant for the Quinceanera evening, if you are not going to celebrate the event at someone's home. 

î Step 3

Celebrate in style by hiring a limousine, catering with indigenous foods and a cake as dictated by tradition and hiring a band to play traditional Quinceanera music.