Princess Party

• Honoring a girl as she grows into a woman, the sweet 15 party should have some feminine touches in the decorations. Robin Kring in "Memorible Milestone Birthdays: Over 50 Theme Parties to Help You Celebrate" suggests a Cinderella-themed sweet 15 party. This idea incorporates many of the ceremonial items at the quinceanera. During the sweet 15 party, a girl is presented with her first pair of high-heeled shoes on a pillow by her father, symbolizing her stepping into womanhood. At the Cinderella-themed party, use a single glass slipper on a pillow instead of a pair of dress shoes on a pillow. Decorate the rest of the setting with red velvet carpeting and pictures of castles on the walls to give it the appearance of a fairy tale castle.
  
  

Butterflies

• Use butterflies in the decorating scheme for the sweet 15 party. Butterflies transform from caterpillars into butterflies, just as a girl changes from a child to an adult. Use butterfly-shaped hair clips for the quinceanera girl and her female attendants. Hang drapes of crepe paper from the walls with a paper butterfly at the top of each drape. Arrange plastic butterflies on top of the cake and around the serving table or use a butterfly-decorated tablecloth.
  
  

Plants and Flowers

• Decorate naturally with flowers and plants to symbolize the girl's growth into adulthood. Set taper candles in the middle of short, potted plants as table centerpieces or use a homemade flower bouquet in the quinceanera girl's favorite colors. Scatter rose petals across the table, and float flower blossoms in clear bowls of water as accent pieces. Use artificial flower swags to adorn the walls of the reception area.
  
  

Balloon Accents

• Cover the ceiling with blown-up balloons in the favorite colors of the honoree. Inflate balloons with helium and float them to the ceiling, or tape hand-blown balloons to the ceiling if you cannot rent a helium tank. The balloons can be purely decorative or they can represent the girl rising into adulthood. Select pastel colors for the balloons such as pink or lilac to emphasize the feminine aspects of the event, or opt for black and white balloons for a formal touch.