How Barbie Is Getting Into the Quinceanera Business

About 2 million American girls were born in 2002. That means they’re turning 15 this year. And many are celebrating with a quinceañera. It’s the rite of passage party usually celebrated by Hispanic girls. It’s similar to a “Sweet 16,” but celebrations are often much more extravagant.

In fact, the quinceañera industry in the U.S. is a billion-dollar business. And now, toymaker Mattel is trying to get a piece of the action.

Betzayda Esquivel just turned 15. She’s planning her quinceañera and says that whether you only spend a couple thousand dollars on your party or $20,000 or $30,000 like most families do, almost all parties have a few key elements:

“Dress – big, sparkly, like a princess – shoes, doll,” Esquivel says.

The doll is very important. Traditionally, during the father/daughter dance, the dad will present his birthday girl with her “last doll” or ultima muñeca.

Read more: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/how-many-girls-will-choose-a-barbie-as-their-ultima-muneca/#