Every year, we look forward to celebrating our birthdays. On the one hand, there are some people who might not be keen on celebrating their birthdays for some reason. It may have something to do with their religious beliefs. Or perhaps they cannot celebrate the fact that they are getting older every year.
Nonetheless, there are still a lot of people who look forward to celebrating another year of their life. Some even spend money for party tent rentals or staging and dance floor rentals for a birthday celebration that is worth remembering. While we tend to celebrate our birthdays every year, there are certain milestones in a person’s life that are celebrated in a special way.
A once-in-a-lifetime celebration
There are birthdays that celebrate another year of life in the world. Meanwhile, there are some birthdays that also signifies an adolescent’s transition into adulthood. This is the so-called “coming-of-age” where boys become men, and girls become women. Basically, such birthday celebrations are also a rite of passage for these youngsters that also vary depending on their culture.
The so-called “coming-of-age” celebrations vary from one country to another. Nevertheless, these kinds of parties are very much looked forward to not only by the celebrant but also the parents and the people around them. The celebrant and their families are willing to spend a fortune for table and chair rentals and outdoor party rentals for a celebration that they won’t forget.
Different Coming of Age traditions around the world
People all over the world celebrate their birthdays differently. It depends on their personal beliefs and culture they have grown accustomed to. Here are some popular ways youngsters celebrate their coming-of-age around the world.
Sweet 16
This one is commonly celebrated in Northern America including Canada and the US. As the term suggests, a girl’s Sweet 16 is celebrated on her 16th birthday. If you are familiar with the MTV show called My Super Sweet 16, you will realize how lavish 16th birthday celebrations can be. However, there are still some girls who prefer a low-key and simple celebration of their 16th year of existence.
Quinceanera
This coming-of-age celebration is common in many Latin countries and even other countries that follow Latin culture. It starts with a Catholic mass wherein the celebrant commits to her Catholic faith. It will then be followed by a whole day of dancing, overflowing food, and camaraderie with friends and guests. Quinceanera is celebrated on a girl’s 15th birthday.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
This is celebrated by Jewish boys and girls around the world. Bar mitzvah is for Jewish boys who just turned 13, while bat mitzvah is celebrated when a Jewish girl turns 12. The purpose of this event is to mark their commitment to the Jewish faith and that they are expected to comply with Jewish law.
Rumspringa
This is a common coming-of-age celebration among the Amish people. It is the time wherein the Amish youth who recently turned 16 are already allowed spending weekends on their own. Likewise, it is also that time where they can enjoy wearing modern clothes, drinking alcohol, and exploring the world outside their close-knit community.
Planning for a Coming of Age party
These are only some of the popular coming-of-age that is celebrated all over the world. There are many more similar coming-of-age traditions being celebrated by different cultures. In such cases, you can enjoy your special day, celebrate a year being older (and hopefully) wiser, and be in touch with your traditions.
That said, it is important to plan a coming-of-age party like how you plan a birthday. After all, it’s also a birthday celebration. Here are tips to plan your birthday-slash-coming of age party.
- Choose your guests – ones who really matter to you. Give out invitations or send them via email or your social media page.
- Consider your budget. It will also depend on the number of guests. Prepare for the décor, food supplier, tent rentals, staging and dance floor rentals, and so on.
- Don’t be shy to ask for help. Planning a party or any kind of event is no easy task. If you want, you can also hire a professional event planner to ensure smooth-sailing planning and execution come your special day.
A celebration worth remembering
Coming-of-age traditions are mandatory in many cultures. It is also considered a special that the celebrant is ready to face the world and to be thankful for another year in his or her life. For an unforgettable coming-of-age celebration, make sure to hire suppliers that provide reliable event rentals in Maryland. Contact one today!