Quinceañera

[2] Historically, in the years prior to their 15th birthdays, girls learned about cooking, weaving, and childbearing from the elder women in their communities in preparation for their future roles as wives.

Today, the custom remains strongest in Mexico, its likely country of introduction during the viceregal or Mexican imperial periods.

[5] Other origin stories attribute quinceañera history to the Duchess of Alba in Spain, who hosted a ball at her palace and invited adolescent girls to attend in formal clothes.

Prior to her being given away, the women of the community participate by instructing the quinceañera in her duties and responsibilities, urging her to follow the correct path, by remaining true to her people and their traditions throughout her life.

In the 20th century, the quinceañera received certain privileges associated with womanhood: permission to attend adult parties, pluck her eyebrows and shave her legs, wear makeup, jewelry and high heels.

In Latin American countries, wealthy families announced quinceañeras in the newspapers to publicize their extravagant celebrations.

[6] From a simple food and cake celebration, it has developed among wealthier families to become an occasion for a big party.

Families may use event planners, and develop a celebration with a theme, to be staged with a special entrance and dances, and captured by professional photoshoots and video.

[7] In Cuba, the party may include a choreographed group dance, in which 14 couples waltz around the quinceañera, who is accompanied by one of the main dancers, a boy of her choice, or her boyfriend.

[citation needed] The wealthy families who could afford to rent expensive dining rooms in private clubs or hotels of four and five stars held celebrations that were the precursors of quinceañeras, which they called quinces.

Then the festival begins with music from live bands, some famous artists, DJs, food, drink, and at one late point of the night a la hora loca[clarification needed] is carried out, in which the attendants wear masks or funny wigs and make noise with whistles and rattles while fast-tempo music is played.

The quinceañera is also expected to wear a formal evening dress, traditionally a long, elegant ball gown chosen by the girl and most often, her mother, according to her favorite color and style.

The court of honor is a group of her chosen peers consisting of paired-off girls and boys, respectively known as damas (dames) and chambelanes (chamberlains).

After the thanksgiving mass, guests gather for a celebratory reception where the events to honor the quinceañera will take place, including giving gifts.

During the reception, the birthday girl usually dances a traditional waltz with her father to a song chosen by both that speaks about the occasion and their relationship.

While in most of the United States it is customary to celebrate a sweet sixteen, a quinceañera is common amongst the large Mexican American population from California to Florida, as well as within the other Hispanic communities throughout the country and Puerto Rico.

Quinceañeras were noted to be celebrated in the mid- to late 1970s in Los Angeles and San Diego and in the early 1980s in different parts of Texas.

Books and other publications about quinceañeras distributed in the United States increasingly include English versions to the original works in Spanish.

[16] The increasing popularity of the celebration has begun to lead to an uptick in retailers and businesses catering directly to young Hispanic or Latina women.

There is also an "after twelve list" where people that aren't that close with the quinceañera can come into the party and enjoy it but without being part of the symbolical experience of the xv.

[19] Kirkus Reviews calls Argentinian American author Yamile Saied Méndez's 2022 novel Twice a Quinceañera: A Delightful Second Chance Romance "enchanting."

The story tells how "After breaking off a five-year engagement, a young woman embarks on a quest for self-love by throwing herself a Double Quinceañera for her 30th birthday.

[39] Kirkus Reviews calls Argentinian American author Yamile Saied Méndez's 2022 novel Twice a Quinceañera: A Delightful Second Chance Romance "enchanting."

The story tells how "After breaking off a five-year engagement, a young woman embarks on a quest for self-love by throwing herself a Double Quinceañera for her 30th birthday.

"[40] on September 10th, 2023, a woman from Oakley, California had one Disney princess and the frog theme for her 60th birthday after a diabetic condition almost severely impacted her health.