I put lights up outside last weekend, although I am missing a whole big strand of them from last year. This is a small house, so it annoys the heck out of me that I misplaced an entire strand of lights. If I find them, more lights are going up! I also have two big poinsettias for the porch, along with a little Christmas tree of Rosemary. When the holidays are over, I can eat it!
Bought my tree last night and got the lights on, as well as the big, wired ribbon I use as a tree-topper and garland. Just a big bow at the top and then ribbon trailing down from the bow. I'll decorate the rest today.
My kitchen is red, black and white, so I'd love to find a little white or black tree to put in there! This is my second year having a real tree (this year it was a 4-5 foot Douglas Fir instead of a 6-7 footer!) and I love it. Plus, I really don't any place to store an artificial one. I do think those funky-colored ones are so much fun. If I could find a little white or black one (like, 1-2 feet) for a good price, I'd get it. I know someone who had a bright blue tree she decorated with white and hot pink ornaments. It was so cool!
This year, I do plan on taking the tree down a little earlier. Last year the tree was a crispy critter when it went out and, even though I swept the bulk of the needles out, I still managed to clog my vacuum cleaner with them!