Planning a Quinceanera
Many quinceaneras are held in southern Idaho each year. Like a Bat Mitzva in the Jewish culture, the party celebrates the transition from childhood to adulthood for Hispanic young women. The party is held on or near the young woman's 15th (quince) birthday. The event often includes a celebratory Mass followed by a reception for several hundred guests. The size and elaborateness of the party depends on the honoree's preferences and her family's budget. It is often larger and more complex than her future wedding.
Planning usually begins a year in advance and will include the honoree's personal preparation for the religious Mass, choosing a location for the party, selecting sponsors and members of the court of honor, as well as choosing and booking vendors. Sponsors are adults who are close to the honoree and who are willing to help finance the festivities. They may include aunts and uncles, godparents, and close family friends. Sponsors should be invited to participate when the initial planning begins. If they agree to help, each sponsor will tell the honoree and her family how much they can afford to contribute or they might choose to pay for a certain item, such as the music or food. There is no minimum number of sponsors. Rather, it depends on how many adults are close to the honoree and her family and want to be involved.
The court of honor consists of attendants (teen-aged family members and/or close friends) who will support the honoree throughout her special day. Often 14 young women and 14 young men, one for each previous year of her life, are invited to participate, though it is acceptable to have fewer and only female or only male attendants, depending on circumstances. The young women, called "damas," wear gowns similar to prom dresses and carry flowers.
The day begins with a special celebratory Mass, usually held at the honoree's parish church. Guests then progress to the reception location where a band or DJ will be playing. Food is served and the honoree cuts a special cake. The honoree will have a special dance with her father and perhaps with grandfathers followed by dancing by all the guests.
A tradition called "changing of the shoes" may occur. The honoree arrives wearing flat shoes, symbolizing childhood. Her father then brings her a pair of high heels and helps her change into them, signifying the transition from childhood to adulthood. Another tradition involves the presentation of a doll to a younger sister, if the honoree has a younger sister. The passing of the doll symbolizes putting away childhood pleasures and accepting her role as an adult.
A quinceanera is a once-in-a-lifetime event for a young Hispanic woman and is an opportunity for her family and close friends to show how much they love her as they welcome her into adulthood.
Planning usually begins a year in advance and will include the honoree's personal preparation for the religious Mass, choosing a location for the party, selecting sponsors and members of the court of honor, as well as choosing and booking vendors. Sponsors are adults who are close to the honoree and who are willing to help finance the festivities. They may include aunts and uncles, godparents, and close family friends. Sponsors should be invited to participate when the initial planning begins. If they agree to help, each sponsor will tell the honoree and her family how much they can afford to contribute or they might choose to pay for a certain item, such as the music or food. There is no minimum number of sponsors. Rather, it depends on how many adults are close to the honoree and her family and want to be involved.
The court of honor consists of attendants (teen-aged family members and/or close friends) who will support the honoree throughout her special day. Often 14 young women and 14 young men, one for each previous year of her life, are invited to participate, though it is acceptable to have fewer and only female or only male attendants, depending on circumstances. The young women, called "damas," wear gowns similar to prom dresses and carry flowers.
The day begins with a special celebratory Mass, usually held at the honoree's parish church. Guests then progress to the reception location where a band or DJ will be playing. Food is served and the honoree cuts a special cake. The honoree will have a special dance with her father and perhaps with grandfathers followed by dancing by all the guests.
A tradition called "changing of the shoes" may occur. The honoree arrives wearing flat shoes, symbolizing childhood. Her father then brings her a pair of high heels and helps her change into them, signifying the transition from childhood to adulthood. Another tradition involves the presentation of a doll to a younger sister, if the honoree has a younger sister. The passing of the doll symbolizes putting away childhood pleasures and accepting her role as an adult.
A quinceanera is a once-in-a-lifetime event for a young Hispanic woman and is an opportunity for her family and close friends to show how much they love her as they welcome her into adulthood.
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