Different Quinceanera Invitations

The Big 1-5

Certain numbers factor into teenage celebrations, such as "sweet 16" or the bar and bat mitzvahs in the Jewish religion at age 13. In Mexico, the important age for girls is 15. Unless the quinceanera girl lives in a heavily-Mexican populated area, quinceanera invitations will probably hard to find at a store, but this leaves room for a lot of creativity. Buy a box of blank white folding cards and write out all of the invitation information inside the card. On the front, decorate with large "1" and "5" numbers, cut out of magazine pages, felt, glitter paper or craft paper in colors to match the quinceanera girl's party theme.

Quinceaneras are a serious occasion, but that doesn't mean they don't involve music. Music and dancing are a huge part of the quinceanera, featuring salsa, banda, cumbia and father-daughter dancing. Instead of sending a plain invitation, burn some quinceanera-inspired songs onto a CD, leaving a little bit of space to record an audio message with the invitation information. After saying "Hope you can make it!," make copies of the CDs and send them to invited guests.

For a quinceanera girl slightly nervous about giving up her "child" status, the traditional "last doll" ceremony provides comfort and excitement. Traditions involve the girl receiving a doll signifying the last one she'll ever receive, laying a doll of her own on an altar or passing along a doll to a younger sibling. To involve invitees in the "last doll" ceremony, use paper dolls as invitations. Purchase pre-cut chains of paper dolls or cut out your own from construction paper in one of the quinceanera colors. On each doll, write a single piece of party detail, such as location, time and place. On the last doll in the chain, write "Come help me celebrate my last doll."

While quinceaneras may have hundreds of attendees, the focus is usually on the quinceanera girl's close family. Put the family first by organizing a group picture well before the party. Include all of the party participants, which usually include "padrinos," godparents or sponsors. Coordinate clothes for a themed look and take a digital picture. Print the picture on the front of photo card paper and include important party details inside.