Has anybody organised a quinceañera/ sweet 16 for your DD?

[holidayblues25]

My DD decided she wants one, but I never had one (nor my DM for that matter). Do other kids get them? I don't know if it would be OTT for many.

BTW on the mexpat group I've asked the same thing, and nobody has even mentioned a mass.

Just an American thing. Definitely not a thing anywhere else I've ever lived

How can you say your cat had one, and had a dress, and not provide photographic evidence?

I don't even care about your OP, I just want cat in a dress pics!

(But if your DD wants a party, and you can afford it then go for it)

It’s part of your culture, your DD is turning 15 and wants one, why not have one? Sod what people who “don’t get it” or have never heard of it think. Thats the beauty of living in such a multicultural little island - every day is a learning day!

Also, we are not Latin Americans but live in a part of London with quite a big South American community, and DD has been to several quinceañeras over the last year! It’s definitely a growing trend here as the Latin American community is growing too.

But we live in the middle of the west country! The only fellow full Mexican/LatAm person we know is her Spanish teacher and she's too embarrassed to invite him.

It's not like she goes around saying how she's half Mexican or anything, so I still think most people would just think she's just having a big party, AND there's the element that kids could.makr fun of her dress.

You’d just explain what it was to the guests. Your DD wants it so presumably she’s happy to explain the protocols to her friends. People will look it up online before they come so will understand about the dress etc.

(There are definitely more fashionable quinceañera dresses than those available too!)

I knew as soon as I read your post you'd get a pile on.

@holidayblues25 if you'd like to hold one for her, go for it. You absolutely don't need to justify why to MN members.

You'll need to explain to her that because no guests will ever have been to one, she could face mockery (as you have on here). And the other girls certainly won't be dressed in a similar fashion to her. But could you maybe do a lower key version?

Those are the dresses she's chosen herself . She likes cosplaying / the Lolita aesthetic so I think that's why she likes them.

I also don't think she'll call it a quinceañera, beyond the churros, I don't think there will be any Mexican element to it.

Lolita aesthetic? Is that a cultural reference that’s different to what most Brits would think of in relation to Lolita?

No it's a Japanese thing

I was just hearing about a couple of families from the USA who are having quinceanera parties for their daughters in the next few months. I am Scottish but I live in an area with lots of international families. All the Scottish girls are really excited and have embraced the dress code! If it's appropriate for your daughter and doable for you, then go for it

No, but 2 of DDs friends with Latin American backgrounds did and no one thought it odd.

I think it depends on the friends/ family group invited. My niece had a black tie 16th party (in her house) and it was very annoying as none of us own black tie and I wasn't about to buy it for 5 people. For my twins 16th we had a takeaway and they went on a school trip to Barcelona!

It's just friends, family wise it's just me, my DM, my DH, and my DSD. Her dad has already said he's not going.

Given the age of the girls, possibly they could just all buy their prom dresses early and wear them again at 16 if they have a school prom?

I'm clearly very out of touch, but what's the difference between a 16th birthday party and a Sweet 16? I mean you can throw a 16th birthday party just as you can throw a 10th birthday party, and an 11th, 12th, 13th etc., but what makes something a Sweet 16 as opposed just a 16th birthday party?

I'm with them tbh.
In the UK the only thing that changes at 16 is you are legally able to consent to sex.
The idea of celebrating that with a family party skeeves me out somewhat.....

Obviously if you are of a culture where the age holds a different significance then you might feel differently!

These days....

The difference is that it's a proper bash (think of it as a mini wedding).

Sorry, but I´m Spanish and have never ever heard of this. It is a Latin American thing.

Well, yeah. It´s a bit Gone with the Wind...

The quinceanera (aka 'quinces') is a genuine, traditional celebration in Hispanic culture in the Americas and Spanish Caribbean. I've attended a few that were thrown by parents of my DDs' friends for their daughters.

They are much more than "just birthday parties" - they are traditionally a rite of passage into womanhood.

All of the events I've been to involved a court of young men and women alongside the quinceanera herself, rental of a party space, limos, bands, very fancy cake, catered food, formal dress, speeches, and formal dancing.

Some of the more extravagant ones involve party planners, party themes, professional photographers, videographers, and dancing lessons ahead of the event for the young men and women of the court, the quinceanera herself, and her father. Occasionally, the formal dancing will be professionally choreographed.

The ones I've been to ranged from buffet style dining to table service and a menu, but they all featured a father-daughter dance. One of my DDs was once a member of a 'court' and wore a huge, pouffy princess style dress in shocking pink, and heels (rented for the occasion).

The traditions I observed came from Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Cuban families - each one had its own spin on the central theme. For some of the families, the event starts with a Mass. One of the quinces I attended featured a ceremonial presentation and donning of high heels and another had a presentation of a tiara to the girl.

Sweet Sixteens used to have similar traditions (formal wear, lavish meals, special candles, speeches, formal dancing) but they tend to just be informal parties now.
......

The huffing about American culture is predictable and amusing.

Pfffft