Do you have to be Spanish to have a quinceañera?

Question

I really want a quinceañera but my momma is telling me only people of the Spanish desindent descent can have one, is this true.

Shelby, I edited your post for spelling and punctuation. - Gekkosan, Mar 21, 2011

Answer 1

Well, first of all, a quinceañera is the girl who has the celebration, quince años is the event, so you should say: "I really want a Quince años party". On the other hand, I don't think that you need to be Spanish or have an Spanish ancestry to celebrate it, it would be nice to see a foreign girl having that party.

Should we send your address to momma? - 0074b507, Mar 21, 2011

I don't understand gfreed. :S - Dakie, Mar 21, 2011

Actually Dakie, I have also had to learn that in some places, they actually call the party itself "una quinceañera". Sounds weird to me too, but that's how it goes. - Gekkosan, Mar 21, 2011

I see, maybe in some places they call it that way. :) - Dakie, Mar 21, 2011

Quinceañera is all I've heard it called here. We have a large Mexican population. - Leatha, Mar 21, 2011

Answer 2

Hello Shelby, welcome to the Forum. There's nothing special about being Hispanic; there's no rule that says you must be Hispanic in order to have one of these parties. However, it is very much a cultural custom. As Q points out, in the US American culture it is more common to have "Sweet Sixteen" parties.

In Latin America we don't generally celebrate Thanksgiving, for example (except in Puerto Rico), since it is a US tradition. But we celebrate Carnaval. There's nothing to say you can't celebrate Carnaval - but will it make sense to your friends?

Likewise, if I invite my friends over to a Thanksgiving party, or to a 4th of July fireworks display, they'll probably have a great time, but they won't understand what it is all about.

Following with Q's suggestion, have you thought about having a "Sweet Sixteen" party? If so, you may need to choose between celebrating your 15th or your 16th birthday! As a parent, I know I wouldn't go for both!

thanks for the info. it was really hehelpful. - ShelbyMarch10, Apr 15, 2011

Answer 3

A quinceñera is a girls fifteenth birthday party. When hispanic girls have this it is like they are saying that they are now a woman. In America, we have a sweet sixteen birthday party to show that we are now a woman. You can have a quinceñera, but I think you would be better off having a sweet sixteen.

Answer 4

Have both. It'll be twice as much fun.

Seriously, you don't have to be of any particular descent to have a quinceañera (they do call the party that around here), but your parents are supposed to pay for it, so you probably need to get them to agree.

Answer 5

I think it's fine... I am not Hispanic (well I am but only like 2%) and I am currently planning a quinceañera. I recently traveled to Mexico to attend 2 friends' quinceaneras and everyone there thought I should have one, so I am going to. For someone not of Hispanic descent, it seems like having a quince is more unique than a sweet 16, and just like a way of embracing other cultures instead of just being boring! It will also help introduce friends and other invitees to Hispanic culture. Go for it!

Answer 6

Would your momma deceive you? If you are not hispanic, wait a year and have a Sweet Sixteen Party, organize a Debutante's Ball or have a "Coming Out Party".

The purpose of all of them is to announce publicly that you are now a young woman rather than a child.

It's just a rite of passage. I hope that you enjoy yours, no matter how you choose to celebrate it.

Answer 7

Perhaps cost is an issue. In my community, even people without much money spend large sums on clothes, limos, a band or DJ, and I don't know what all. The girl's parents know this is coming from the day she's born. They put money aside in expectation. It might be a bit much to spring on your mom when you're 14 3/4.