- Easter, Three Kings' Day and Mother's Day are just a few of the holidays Spanish-American families gather to celebrate. Easter is significant because it is a religious holiday set aside to honor the death of Jesus; 90 percent of the Hispanic culture practices Catholicism. Three Kings' Day is celebrated on January 6 and is known as the Epiphany -- the celebration of when the Magi went to give gifts to baby Jesus. This is also when gifts are exchanged rather than Christmas Day. Mother's Day is also a very important holiday to Hispanic families so there is a great amount of time and effort spent on finding just the right gift and card. Hispanic mothers receive traditional Mother's Day gifts, such as chocolates, poems, cards, inspirational plaques and flower bouquets. As a special touch for Spanish-American mothers, card companies like Hallmark print Mother's Day cards in Spanish, and online gift stores, such as TheKeepsake.com, will personalize a poem or message in Spanish to accompany a purchased gift.
- One birthday celebration that is honored by many Spanish-Americans is the Quinceanera celebration. This event honors a girl on her fifteenth birthday, similar to the American "Sweet Sixteen" celebration. Traditional Quinceanera customs reflect honoring God, celebrating family and friends, and enjoying music, food and dancing. For a Quinceanera style "Sweet Sixteen" party, Spanish-American families plan an elaborate reception, where a priest conducts a full religious ceremony, and the honored birthday girl wears a ball gown and tiara. The parents and godparents present the Quinceanera with a scepter, Bible and cross to be used throughout the entire ceremony. During the religious ceremony, the Quinceanera kneels on a pillow with her name engraved on it. The "Changing of the Shoes" is performed by the father or a favorite male relative; the Quinceanera's flat shoes are exchanged for high heels to symbolize transitioning from a girl to a woman. During the reception, the birthday girl and her "Court of Honor" perform a formal dance, and guests receive memorabilia, cápias and cerámicas, as tokens of gratitude.
- The first communion for Hispanics is very important. Children prepare for first communion by learning communion prayers, studying the 10 commandments and learning the catechism. Girls dress in elaborate white dresses, and boys wear dark suits. Spanish-Americans typically celebrate first communions in the spring with a big fiesta for family and friends; at the fiesta food is served, pictures are taken and first communion gifts are presented. Traditional gifts for boys and girls are decorated communion cakes and necklaces with crosses. A customary gift that Spanish-American girls receive is a first communion doll.
- Spanish-American weddings integrate many traditional Spanish customs into the wedding festivities; if the bride or groom is not Hispanic, an aspect of his or her family tradition is also incorporated into the wedding. Traditions such as a full Catholic Mass, the bride wearing a piece of jewelry passed down from her grandmother or mother and family and friends gathering after the ceremony for a huge party are customary. A specific Spanish tradition is keeping the bride and groom apart days before the wedding; the father of the bride takes considerable pains to keep the bride hidden, especially the night before the wedding when the groom and his parents bring gifts to the bride's house. Another tradition is honoring the parents and godparents of the bride and groom throughout parts of the ceremony. The parents and godparents present the presiding priest with "arras," 13 gold coins; the priest, in turn, blesses the coins and presents them to the bride. Additionally, placing a rope or rosary over the bride and groom to signify protection is another Spanish tradition.