Party Ideas

When planning an outdoor quince, you take a chance on the weather. But I think it's worth it! (Have a plan B in case of rain, of course.) Before I go into the fun of planning a quince at a beach or in your backyard, we have to go over the practical stuff. There are five things I always tell quince girls to remember if they're planning an outdoor party:

1. Alert your guests if they have to walk on grass or rough terrain. You want to make sure the women aren't wearing high heels if that's the case!

2. Think of the elderly relatives. They can't sit out in the sun or heat for too long, so make sure there are shady spots or indoor places they can rest.

3. Beware of bugs. To keep them away, set up citronella candles or bug-repellent lanterns (the company OFF! makes them).

4. Make sure there is appropriate room and electrical outlets for DJs and bands to set up outside.

5. Ask the local authorities about noise restrictions or about any permits that might be required if you're in a public place like a park. It would be a bummer to get a fine!

If you're having your quince at the beach...

I can't resist a beach-themed quince that's actually at the beach! Although a beach is an unusual place for a quinceañera, it's really easy to put together and it can be inexpensive because it's so casual. Of course, just because the mood is casual doesn't mean you can't dress up like a princess. There's nothing like running around in the sand all dressed up. After all, it is YOUR day.

If you start the party in early afternoon and carry through the night, you'll have the benefit of the sunset — SO HOT! You can do a barbecue and eat in front of a bonfire, not to mention dance in the sand. It's so much fun. Keep it simple: Serve hot dogs and hamburgers, cool tropical drinks, salads with cucumber, and pineapples. You can set it up like a buffet and create a "gazebo" (a tiny roof supported by two or four columns) for the cake, so it won't melt in the sun.

To get more ideas for decorating and planning a beach-themed quince, check out MisQuinceMag.com's guide here. You can also take this quiz to see if a beach-themed quince fits your personality.

Click READ MORE to see my tips for having a quince in the backyard.

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¡Viva México! What a great country. Even though I’m Dominican, I love everything about Mexico: the people, the food, the beaches, the traditions, and especially the quinceañeras.

If you're looking for a colorful, budget-friendly theme, consider hosting an outdoor party themed around a particular Hispanic culture, whether it's your own or just a Latin country you love.

When you’re done reading my ideas, tell me yours! How you would organize a party themed around your Hispanic roots?

MEXICAN “FIESTA”

Find a public park in your area, preferably one with fountains, arches, and beautiful statues. Go to the city's department of parks and recreation and get a permit to have your party there. There will probably be a small fee, but it’s much cheaper than renting a banquet hall.

Make your cake in the shape of one of Mexico’s ancient pyramids, which are among the largest in the world! Serve a variety of food, "the whole enchilada," as the saying goes: tacos, tamales, arroz, frijoles, chips and salsa. Make the "adult" drinks — margaritas, sangria, and mojitos — without alcohol for you, your friends, and kids in the familia. Add loads of color with streamers, balloons, plates, napkins, and tablecloths.

Do I even have to mention the music? It goes without saying! You can perform a couple of cultural dances, or baile folklórico, and the guys can wear mariachi outfits. (Did you know actress Shelbie Bruce had a mariachi band at her quince? Check out her photo album here.) HOW FUN!

DOMINICAN “PERICO RIPIAO”

Again, find a park and get a permit from the city. Use the colors of la bandera dominicana, which is the same as the U.S. flag colors: red, white, and blue. You can wear a white dress, the cake can be white with red roses, and you can choose royal blue napkins tied with white ribbon. Decorate with red, white, and blue balloons.

For food, serve traditional rice and beans. Make fabulous hors d’oeuvres with plantains. You can serve “virgin” or alcohol-free versions of mojitos, sangria, and Cuba libre (cola with lime). Don’t forget the popular Dominican beverage morir sonañdo, the sweet orange juice-milk beverage whose name literally means “to die in a dream” — it’s that good!

The first dance can be a meringue like “Si tú no bailas conmigo” by Juan Luis Guerra. “Quinceañera” by Caña Brava can be your group presentation.

OTHER HISPANIC CULTURES

You can create a theme around any Latin culture. For example, if you go Venezuelan, dance salsa and serve arepas, the corn-based bread. One girl told me that in Venezuela some padrinos give the quinceañera 15 gold coins, to symbolize prosperity and good fortune. The coins are known as arras and it’s a tradition borrowed from weddings.

In Puerto Rico, where the folk music is “bomba y plena,” it is customary for the last doll to be placed at the head of the main table. Her dress is pinned with little charms called capias. The charms are given to the guests as keepsakes at the end of the party.

There's never a shortage of ideas for quince themes. Don’t forget to share yours with me!

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I love everything about quinceañeras. I believe a lot of good can come out of a family getting together to celebrate a girl’s transformation into adulthood. This week, I wanted to share 15 other reasons why quinces are so special! Here’s what I love about them...

1. I love that 15 means you are ready to learn how to read a bill, write a check, make arroz con frijoles — all of those grown-up responsibilities.


2. I love when you wear Chuck Taylors for the changing-of-the-shoe ceremony, like the girl in this picture! (We're on the KTLA morning show here.)
   


3. I love when you dress your perrito in a tuxedo and include him in la fiesta (if he is well behaved!).


4. I love when you donate your dress to charity for other chicas who cannot afford to have a quinceañera.


5. I love when you find creative ways to make a grand entrance. You can find a local antique car collectors’ club and ask if they would drive you and your court to the party. They might do it for free or for a minimal fee. You might even get the fire department to give you a ride in their red engine, if you ask!


6. I love when you give your last doll to your mom or your little sister, instead of receiving it.


7. I love when you set up a wishing well at the entrance of the reception, with a note pad where guests can write you a message


8. I love when your mom and dad get to tell a story about when they were 15, or when they dance to their favorite songs from way back then.

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So el día that you turned 15 came and went because you couldn’t make up your mind about whether to have a fiesta. Or maybe your parents couldn’t figure out how to finance it at the time — but now they have the money.

Not to worry, you can still celebrate “Los Quince” right up until your 16th birthday (better late that never!). After that, it’s gone forever and you would have missed a chance to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event, your quinceañera.

If all you have left is four months before you turn 16, YOU CAN DO IT! Make an announcement right away! Get an idea for a theme, decide where you would like to have the party, how much you can spend, and get busy, girlfriend! Here’s what you do:

4 months before:

1. Determine who your chambelán, court, and padrinos will be and give them “assignments.”
2. Choose a theme. I suggest something easy, like a princess theme, Hollywood theme, or international theme (Spanish, Japanese, Greek, French, Mexican). You can easily find props around the house or at your local party store.
3. Find and reserve the church, book the venue, buy the invitations.
4. Shop for your dress and your court’s outfits.

1 month before:

1. Send out invitations, start rehearsals, make programs, pick music.
2. Shop for decorations and favors, confirm damas dresses and tuxedo rentals.
3. Order food and beverages, book the DJ and photographer, reserve the limo, order the cake, figure out how you’ll do your hair and makeup.

The day of:

1. Get up early, review the game plan for the day. Confirm food orders and set up decorations the day before.
2. Make sure your helpers pay the vendors, keep schedules, greet guests, and supervise music.
3. Double check the emergency kit — it should include a bag with Band-Aids, needle and thread, tissues, nail file, etc.
4. Get ready to relax and enjoy!

Keep reading my blog for future postings with more detailed party themes!

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About 10 years ago, girls used to think that quinceañeras were too old-fashioned and they were embarrassed to invite their non-Latino friends. (Crazy, right?!) They would skip the quince party and ask for a big trip instead.

Even though trips are still a popular choice, there's a new trend - holding your quinceañera at a destination. It's like having your cake and eating it too! You can party on vacation. Some resorts offer quinceañera packages, like Disney World. They are very popular, though pricey. The benefits: They do all the planning for you, PLUS you get to have a vacation afterward with your family and friends. Getting your shoe changed in front of Cinderella's castle is a sure way to feel like a princess!

Other girls choose to go back to their family's native country and party there. It makes you proud of your roots, it can be cheaper because of currency exchange rates, AND it's like a homecoming, not just for you but for the whole family.

If you ask me, you've got to have a party no matter where you are! It doesn't have to be huge. If you choose to take a regular vacation, you can still have a dinner party at your house with friends and family before or after you leave. Chances are you'll want those photos of yourself dressed up when you're older. Most women I know who didn't celebrate a quinceañera regret it, because you're only quince once. Besides, you can travel for the rest of your life.

So tell me, if my magic wand could bring your party anywhere in the world, where would it be?

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