What object may be presented to the celebrant during a quinceañera as a symbol of childhood?

A quinceañera doll may be presented to the celebrant as a symbol of childhood during the celebration.

The doll is associated with the idea that the celebrant is leaving behind childhood as she enters a new stage of life. In some ceremonies, the celebrant receives the doll from a parent or another relative. The object may be dressed to resemble her gown, making it both a symbolic gift and a keepsake.

This ritual is sometimes called the changing or presentation of the doll. Customs differ considerably: some families use a doll, while others choose a different symbolic gift or omit the tradition entirely.

The doll is not a religious requirement and has no legal significance. It belongs to the family and reception traditions surrounding the quinceañera, just as the shoe change, tiara, and bouquet do. Modern celebrations often reinterpret the custom in personal ways.