Quinceañeras Parte Numero Tres!:Quinceañeras Part Number Three!

No Quinceañera Is Ever The Same

No Quinceañera is ever the same as the last one you went to. This is because every Quinceañera girl is different and special. They come from different families, heritages, socio-economic levels and have different views and values. Quinceañera’s aren’t always big and flashy like the ones shown on MTV's Quiero Mis 15. If you can afford a big flashy Quinceañera that's great, if not then that great too. Most families should do what they can if they want to do one. Really all that you need are the mass portion of the Quinceañera and a dinner with your family. Quinceañera’s are supposed to be about the girl and her journey from childhood into womanhood. Today the tradition has come to represent other things but it still remains a celebration of womanhood, family, and community. The Quinceañera celebration begins with the celebration with the Misa de accion de gracias (mass to give thanks for a completed childhood). During the church service the Quinceañera is seated at the foot of the church alter in her formal Quinceañera dress. Traditionally it is the godparents who buy the Quinceañera her dress and her jewelry to accent the dress. The mass is similar to a baptism except that in this case the Quinceañera is restating her faith in god herself. Usually during this mass service the Quinceañera leaves a bouquet of flowers as an offering to the Virgen de Guadalupe as a sign of thanks for her guidance so far and for future guidance. The Quinceañera for a girl’s fifteenth birthday is among the most important and beautiful occasions; one that is anticipated with much happiness, and remembered by everyone involved. The traditional ceremony gifts have special meaning for the Quinceañera celebration, and their honored significance relates to the Quinceañera's coming of age. The traditional ceremony gifts are special signs of loyalty and commitment to God, family and the community. The gifts are presented to the priest for blessing. It is customary for the Quinceañera to receive some gifts at the church and those are the bible, rosary, ring, necklace/medallion, ceremony pillows, flower bouquet and last doll. The other gifts that the Quinceañera can receive are the following:

   

    Tiara-represents a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead. It is traditional for the headpiece worn by the Quinceañera to be ceremoniously replaced with the tiara. The "Crowning" is done either by her parents or the godparents presenting the gift Also if there are more girls in your immediate family, you may be passing that crown or tiara on to your sister if it’s color neutral or the same color. Usually the youngest daughter gets the big crown and gets raised up by the chambelánes to celebrate her status as a woman.

    Cross or medal-Signifies faith - in God, in herself, and in her world. It can also emphasize a girl's devotion to the Catholic Church and virginity.

This is an example of "Crowning" the
Quinceañera.

    Bible or prayer book and rosary-Important resources to keep the word of God in her life.

    Scepter-Symbolizes authority, and more importantly, responsibility for her life, that is now being given to the young woman.

Other accessories for this special occasion might be:

    Ring-Represent a girl’s bond to God, family and her community.

    Flower Bouquet

    Cake Decoration

    Cake server set

    Champagne glasses

    The last doll-The last doll is used as part of the ceremony or as decoration and keepsake. The Quinceañera doll represents the last things of a child now that the Quinceañera will focus on the things of a young lady.

    Guest book

    Photo album

    Invitations/reception cards

    Ceremony pillows-At the church ceremony, a special kneeling pillow, sometimes personalized with the Quinceañera's name is placed in position for the young girl to kneel on during the ceremony.
Guest Favors
Shoes-There are many traditions throughout the Quinceañera celebration. One of the most popular is the Changing of the Shoes. The father or favored male relative ceremoniously changes the young girl's flat shoes to high heels. This is a beautiful symbol of the Quinceañera's transformation from a little girl to a young lady. The gifts are given to the Quinceañera by "padrinos" (also called godparents or sponsors) specially chosen by the family. The padrinos who give the Traditional Ceremony Gifts are formally recognized, and often are part of the procession for either the church or reception ceremony, or do the presentation of the gifts to the priest for the blessing. After all the church things are done the party affair begins.         

            The party for the Quinceañera tends to be a big event that last several hours. Parents, godparents, and padrinos go all out to make the party special and unforgettable. During the party there's usually live entertainment of a DJ, Banda, Groupo, or Marachi. Whatever the entertainment is, they will provide plenty of pop, contemporary dance music, cumbia, banda, salsa, and older songs in order to please both the young and older guests. The party is officially opened with the Quinceañera dancing. The order of dancing goes as:

    The formal entry - A grand entrance made by the Quinceañera and her court once most guests have been seated.

    The general dance - Also usually a waltz, where everyone dances to a musical waltz tune.

    The family dance - Usually a waltz involving just the immediate relatives, the "Chambelánes", godparents and the closest friends of the girl.(Traditionally, Mexican girls could not dance in public until they turned fifteen, except at school dances or at family events. Therefore, the Quinceañera’s waltz with the chambelánes is the girl's first public dance)

    The first dance - Usually a waltz where the girl dances, starts with her father.

    The formal toast - An optional but usually featured part of the reception, generally initiated by the parents or godparents of the birthday girl.

    The baile sorpresa- Any modern song particularly enjoyed by the Quinceañera is played (is the surprise dance) and danced.

            During the party and dancing a formal dinner is given by the Quinceañera and her family. When the toast or brindis is done parents, aunts and uncles as well as other important people to the Quinceañera share their advice and kind words with the Quinceañera out loud.