I need help with a party invitation my daughter received.

[dddem]

And since this is the only site I frequent (I usually lurk in GD or LBN or the Massachusetts forum), and since Democrats are by virtue of their party affiliation, smarter than most, I thought I might pop over to the lounge for some cultural education.

My daughter was just invited to a quinciera (sp?) for a girl she goes to school with (friendly, but not friends). I understand that this is a big affair, and that my daughter needs to dress appropriately (I assume that she should dress as though she were attending a wedding, yes?). What I'm not sure of is what an appropriate gift would be. This is someone she has just recently become friendly with. I'm very excited for her - what a great way to learn about other cultures! But I really don't know the first thing about how much to spend, or what type of gift, or even what this particular girl likes. I feel so ignorant!
I hope one of you savvy DUers can give me some advice.
Thanks in advance!

[Shine]

1. I'm not Hispanic, so I'm no expert, but I do know this is an important

time for a girl turning 15 in that culture. It's a rite of passage, a coming-of-age ceremony.

I don't have any particular gift ideas, but I wouldn't stress about it. Use your daughter as a good "test marketer", is SHE likes the gift idea, her friend probably would, too.

Good luck and I hope your daughter has fun! :hi:

[begin_within]

2. I believe jewelry is often given as a quinceanera gift. It's kind of like

a debutante ball or "cotillion"

[flamingyouth]

3. Jewelry or something religious like a Rosary are traditional.

Since you don't know them that well I'd stick with something neutral like a bracelet she can exchange. :hi:

[radwriter0555]

4. I think spending about $25 on a gift for the youjng lady would be a very

nice thing to do, if it's in your budget.

A bracelet from a nice department store would be nice... Have your daughter help pick it out, so that it's something that SHE would like, right?

[dddem]

5. Thanks all!

I knew I came to the right place!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

6. Other people seem to have answered, but here's more info:

http://gomexico.about.com/cs/culture/a/quinceanera.htm

It's a detailed explanation of the ceremony, though the subject of gifts doesn't appear to come up.

[dddem]

7. Awesome - thanks

I got some information, but it was mostly for the girl, not the guests. This is very helpful.

[blondeatlast]

8. As a teen in the Southwest, I went to several, some close friends, some

friendly.

Jewelry is always appropriate, regradless of how close the guest is to the honoree.

I remeber them being a great deal of fun. Aah, the good ol' days.

[dddem]

9. Thank you

and I'm glad to help initiate a stroll down memory lane for you! I'm so glad my daughter is going to have experiences that I was never exposed to (irish-catholic from the northeast - never even heard of calimari until I met my italian husband!). I just want to make sure she's not completely clueless!