How to Celebrate Quinceanera in Los Angeles
Roughly analogous to a girl's "sweet sixteen" party in some Spanish-speaking parts of the world, Quinceanera is the lavish celebration of a young girl's fifteenth birthday. The large Latino community in Los Angeles offers girls celebrating Quinceanera countless options to enjoy their special day.
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Things You'll Need
- Quince doll
- Caterer
- Flat shoes
- High heels
- Quinceanera dress
- Banquet hall or restaurant
Instructions
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Understand Quinceanera Traditions
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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.
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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.
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3
Know that a church ceremony is part of a Quinceanera celebration in many traditions.
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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.
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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.
Celebrate Quinceanera in Los Angeles
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Arrange a church ceremony at one of the many Hispanic Catholic churches located in the central and eastern districts of Los Angeles. Large Latino populations live in East Los Angeles and in the neighborhoods surrounding the city's central core. They are the best regions to start looking for a Catholic church that can arrange a Quinceanera ceremony.
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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. Again, you will have the best luck in the indicated Latino neighborhoods. You can find a list of all-occasion banquet halls with catering available in Los Angeles at PartyPop.com (see Resources below).
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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.
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Tips & Warnings
Throw your own party! In many countries, it is customary for Quinceanera to be celebrated as a private party in someone's home or a hall rented specifically for the occasion.
