THE HOLIDAY FIESTA

Chapter 2: Preparations

Carmen couldn't wait to get started on her decorations. As soon as she got home, she set her shopping bags down and began unpacking her supplies. She had bought streamers, garlands, colorful lights, and a variety of holiday-themed knick-knacks.

Her mind was buzzing with ideas as she began to plan out her display. She decided to create a large centerpiece for her living room using a small Christmas tree as a base. She would drape the tree with tinsel and hang small ornaments from the branches. She would also add a few festive candles and a holiday-themed tablecloth to complete the look.

But that was just the beginning. She wanted to create a whole holiday wonderland throughout her home. She began hanging garlands and streamers from the ceiling, stringing lights around door frames, and placing small holiday figurines on shelves and tables.

As she worked, she heard music drifting in from outside. She looked out the window and saw a group of musicians playing traditional holiday songs on the street corner. The sound of their instruments filled her with joy and made her even more excited for the fiesta.

Carmen continued working on her decorations late into the night, fueled by the excitement of the upcoming fiesta and the prospect of winning the contest. She wanted her home to be the most festive and beautiful in all of San Juan.

Finally, she stepped back and surveyed her work. Her home looked like a holiday wonderland, with colorful lights, garlands, and ornaments filling every corner. She couldn't wait to see what everyone else had come up with for the contest.

The night before the fiesta, Carmen went to bed exhausted but filled with anticipation for the big day. She dreamed of a magical holiday fiesta filled with music, food, and laughter, and hoped that her decorations would be enough to win the prize.