Quinceañera
| Quinceañera is the Spanish word for a girl that is 15 years old. Among Latinos in the United States, Quinceañera also is the name given to the coming-of-age celebration on a girl's 15th birthday. The word "quinceañera" is derived from the Spanish words "quince" for 15 and "años" for years. |
| The Quinceañera is one of the few universal Latin American occasions, celebrated from Mexico to Argentina. |
| In the United States the tradition thrives, particularly among second and third generation Hispanic girls. |
Product Features
- Hallmark Sinceramente offers 66 Quinceañera cards and one invitation.
- Because not all Latinas celebrating their Quinceañera speak Spanish, seven English-language Quinceañera cards are included in the line. The Spanish-language cards include an English translation on the back.
- Hallmark Sinceramente also offers three bilingual Quinceañera cards that use a mixture of Spanish and English words to reflect the way many younger Hispanics speak today.
- All of the cards focus on the transition from a child to a woman and include messages of pride, love and blessings.
- In 2009 Party Express from Hallmark introduced a Quinceañera party pattern that includes paper plates, cups, napkins, centerpieces and decorations.
Celebration History
The Quinceañera has its origins many centuries ago when both boys and girls participated in rites of passage. To prepare for “womanhood,” girls were separated from other children at a certain age so the elder women could teach them about their future roles as members of family and community. During the official rites of passage, the community would thank the gods for the future wives and mothers, and the young women would vow to serve the community.
Later, missionaries turned the event into a personal affirmation of faith by the young women and a pledge to become good Christian wives and mothers. A church celebration became an important part of the occasion.
Today, the Quinceañera celebration often is a lavish party that may include a mariachi band, a feast and many guests – much like a wedding. The young woman wears an elaborate pastel-colored dress. Traditions vary, but include receiving a church blessing, having 14 attendants and escorts to represent the previous 14 years of life, presenting a porcelain doll to a younger sister to symbolize leaving childhood behind, changing from flats into high-heeled shoes to represent becoming a young woman, and dancing the first dance with the young woman’s father.
In Stores
Use the store locator on Hallmark.com or call 1-877-5-CARIÑO (1-877-522-7466) to locate the nearest Hallmark Sinceramente retailer.