Quinceaneras or Quinceneras are like mini Weddings in Importance, Cost & Breath of Planning

A quincenera is the celebration of the latina young woman's sweet fifteen. It's recognition by her family,friends, church and community that she is becoming a woman. Other cultures have their own rites of passage. For example, in the Catholic church, we have confirmation and communion. In the Jewish culture, we have Bat mitzvah which occurs when a girl reaches the age of 12 years and one day. For Filipos, they have debut for Filipinas who are reaching their 18 birthday. Koreans have gwallye, for both boys and girls from 15 to 20. At least, this allows parents to breathe and save a little bit. The English have debutante balls for young women of marriageable age.

Debbing is still very common in the South. If you go to the Carolinas, Virginia, Philadelphia, New York, the Midwest, you can still witness the celebrations, rites and regalia of American debdom. Lauren F. Winner reviews Karal Ann Marling's book, "Debutante: Rites and Regalia..."Every year, at galas like the Magnolia Debutante Ball and the Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards, young women from the finest families don white dresses and long white gloves and make their debut to society." Further, we find that for most of the American history, debuts have been the province of elites. Just like Quincenera, debbing is a ritual that tends to be grounded in aspiration... and legitimization. It's not uncommon for parents to throw expensive parties not only because they want to dote on their daughters but also because they want claim their own classs position. Debbing is also about cotillions. It's about those who can afford such gatherings and those who can't. It's surely about social status. (Find the book about Quincenera Celebration at Shoppingblog Book Central).

No wonder that contemporary debdom includes proms and other kinds of ethnic debuts which are celebrated with great fanfare in Hispanic and African American communities. The history of debbing, quincenera and other ethnic celebrations can go back many years. In the case of Quincenera, it's a tradition that dates back to the Aztecs, about 500 B.C. It begins with a religious ceremony in which God's gifts of love and live are celebrated. After the mass in the village's church, a reception ensues. There is a variety of food, music and dance in the fiesta.

Hispanics who make good money both in the US and other countries spend feverishly on their daughters. A lot of them don't face all these exorbitant expenses by themselves. They have padrinos or madrinas who help out. It's the same idea that you see at graduation ceremonies. Many businesses may volunteer to sponsor the school or a program in the school. So the students end up benefitting. Quinceneras tend to go over budget in many families. In this case, family members chip in. The quincenera party can be more elaborated than a lavish wedding in many circles.