# What do I buy for a Quinceanera? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 14, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023 "2004-07-14T04:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/1 "2004-07-14T04:25:12Z")
Anybody know what kind of gift I should give a little girl for her Quinceanera? Just show you know, the girls families and our family are friends, we became close when they helped us out after the fire we had. Anyway we’ve never been to one, and don’t know what to bring, all the traditional stuff (I looked it up) seems to be stuff the family is susposed to give. Also the invitation doesn’t mention it, but are susposed ot dress up for this occassion? Thanks for your suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/2 "2004-07-14T05:35:50Z")
I’m not much help with the gift, but around here, as far as dress goes, think a wedding. The girls often wear what looks just like a wedding dress. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/3 "2004-07-14T06:19:49Z")
You could ask the family what to wear and what she might like (not necessarily the young lady herself, as it’s embarrassing to be asked what you want other people to give you). If this is the first time you’ve been to this kind of an event, you can say that as your reason for asking what’s appropriate, which is a perfectly respectable reason. ---
**Author:** ![35340](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/8baadc/32.png) [@35340](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/35340)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/4 "2004-07-14T12:07:33Z")
there are traditonal gifts? Huh. Well. I’ve never attended one as an adult, but yeah, think wedding attire. As for gifts, I gave my cousin for her bat mitzvah a memory box with matching photo album, pen, journal, and instamatic camera. So on a less expensive scale (we spent $100 or so bucks) I’d say maybe an inexpensive camera and a photoalbum/scrapbook kind of thing? [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B00004RF9N/used/](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/offering/list/-/B00004RF9N/used/) or for reuseable fun: [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000ABVX0](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000ABVX0) ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/5 "2004-07-14T14:46:08Z")
Because they have Mass involved and tend to have a (somewhat) religious conotation, my usual gift is a cross necklace. This can be as fancy (or not) as you want to spend. If you son’t have a lot of money but would like something that looks really nice, I think James Avery sells some nice (albiet more modern-ish) styles in the 30 dollar range. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/6 "2004-07-14T15:01:23Z")
What’s a Quinceanera? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/7 "2004-07-14T15:08:46Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > What’s a Quinceanera? I wouldn’t know. I supposed he was talking about a _quinceañera_. 😉 Literally it means 15 year-girl. It’s the Hispanic version of sweet sixteen. When girls turn 15 the familly usually throws a lavish party to celebrate it. It’s the second most important date in a Hispanic girl’s life (or so it seems). Attire? What you would wear for a wedding. Gifts? Whatever you would give to a 15 year old, preferably one that will last her a lifetime. Rick: I never heard of any religious connotations to it. That sounds pretty weird to me (maybe other Latin American countries?) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/8 "2004-07-14T15:10:36Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Literally it means 15 year old girl. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/9 "2004-07-14T16:21:23Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s the Hispanic version of sweet sixteen. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/10 "2004-07-14T17:08:46Z")
Thanks for all the suggestions folks. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/11 "2004-07-14T18:00:10Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Rick: I never heard of any religious connotations to it. That sounds pretty weird to me (maybe other Latin American countries?) WTF? I did not use the word religious in my post. Perhaps you have me mixed up with **Bad News Baboon**? But since you bring it up, you might want to read [this](http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/travel/dpalfrey/dpquince.html) > [@](#): > > The most important component of the celebration is invariably a Misa de acción de gracias (thanksgiving Mass). The birthday girl arrives decked out in a fancy full-length dress - frills, pastel tones and matching hats or headdresses prevail. Flanked by her parents and padrinos (godparents), she is specially seated at the foot of the altar throughout the service. She may be accompanied by up to seven damas (maids of honor) and as many chambelanes (chamberlains), selected from among close family and friends ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/12 "2004-07-14T18:19:28Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > WTF? I did not use the word religious in my post. Perhaps you have me mixed up with **Bad News Baboon**? True. My apologies. As I said, it can be a Mexican thing. No connection to religion around here. And besides, the OP doesn’t say if the \*quinceañera \* is Mexican. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/13 "2004-07-15T02:08:25Z")
You have Mexicans in Stepford? Who knew? 😃 Me I live in the barrio. Lots of quinceañeras around here since my neighborhood is about 75% hispanic (mostly Mexican, but who is counting) ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/14 "2004-07-15T03:53:23Z")
[offended] I am not Mexican! [/o] Just kidding! I am the sole Dominican in Stepford… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/15 "2004-07-15T04:56:14Z")
:d ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/16 "2004-07-15T15:07:40Z")
I’ve never attended one of these shin-digs (when I was 15 my family didn’t live in an area with a very big Latino population), but a lot of young Latina women I’ve known had jewelry that they’d received as quinceanera gifts. So a reasonably nice necklace, bracelet, ring, or pair of earrings would be a good choice. Barring that, whatever kind of gift you’d give to a young woman at a formal party. Think in those terms, “young woman”, _not_ “little girl”! Fifteen seems like a little girl to me now too, but this is a coming-of-age thing so I’d steer clear of collectible Harry Potter lunchboxes and suchlike unless her family specifically tells you she wants one. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/17 "2004-07-15T21:04:40Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > True. My apologies. > > As I said, it can be a Mexican thing. No connection to religion around here. And besides, the OP doesn’t say if the \*quinceañera \* is Mexican. Yes, it was me who said it had a religious connection. I am Mexican-American and all the quinceañeras I have attended are Mexican. They have all had a mass involved (as was posted by **Rick** ). In fact, some of the more lavish productions seem to be exactly like a wedding. The only thing missing is the vows, it seems. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/18 "2004-07-15T21:43:10Z")
Lamia is right- jewelry. A shawl is also good. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/19 "2004-07-15T21:54:16Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > Yes, it was me who said it had a religious connection. I am Mexican-American and all the quinceañeras I have attended are Mexican. They have all had a mass involved (as was posted by **Rick** ). > > In fact, some of the more lavish productions seem to be exactly like a wedding. The only thing missing is the vows, it seems. > Seriously. Let this be a lesson for those who think all Latin Americans are exactly the same 🙂 And thanks, I learnt something new today. Here it is also a lavish production. It’s been more than 15 years since I was 15 yo. I can’t remember the exact details. The quinceañera will arrive with her ‘corte’ possibly with up to 2 dozens boys and girls in elaborate dresses parading behind her and her chosen companion (a boy of her age). During the party, the father of the quinceañera (who is dressed in an even-more elaborate dress) changes her flat shoes to some ‘adult’ ones. A symbol, I suppose, of becoming ‘a woman’. Then the father and quinceañera dance The Blue Danube and then the party continues with modern music and possibly the quinceañera changing to another, more confortable but equally elaborate dress. There will be food and a cake at some point. I am so _&@(_()++!! glad my mother didn’t make me go through all that. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-buy-for-a-quinceanera/255023/20 "2004-07-15T21:57:02Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > During the party, the father of the quinceañera (who is dressed in an even-more elaborate dress)… \*She \* is dressed in a gown. The father wears a tux, although a father in a gown will make for a more lively and memorable party. 😃