quinceanera themes

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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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