A doll can symbolize the celebrant’s childhood when it is handed to a younger girl at a quinceañera.
The ceremony is often known as the “last doll” tradition. The celebrant presents a doll to a younger sister, cousin, or another child, symbolizing that she is leaving behind some childhood activities as she enters a new stage of life.
The doll may be dressed to match the quinceañera’s gown or the event’s colors. In some families, the gift is presented during a formal sequence, while in others it is simply included as a personal gesture.
The custom is not universal and should not be treated as a required part of the celebration. It also does not mean that the celebrant literally stops being a child on her fifteenth birthday; the symbolism is cultural and ceremonial.