We usually do two trees too. One is all Hallmark, Disney, and other assorted ornaments, a 7ft one right in the dining room. Trek collectors would be horrified; we have all the lighted ones right from the first one, and they all go up on the tree every year. I know some of them are going for serious cash over on ebay.
The other, a 4ft which sits on a low table in the rec room, is entirely covered in Waterford crystal ornaments, about half our own and half inherited from Mary's mom. With some nice pearlescent strings of lights, it has a look all its own. We also do some chasers around the perimeter and some handcrafted wreaths from pinecones to hang on doors too.
This year, only doing the dining room tree. Between going away to DL in a few weeks and that we're not hosting any family events, we're kind of doing the low end on decorating.
Outside, today(we hope; if not, later in the week) we will be hanging the big 5 ft dia wreath handmade by dad from one of their old artificial trees. Was given to us years ago when they decided to stop using it. And 2 artificial candycanes I made a few years back from the forms from some storebought real ones after the season. With some nice simple white twinkle lights in the low evergreens, colored inserts in the malibu lights and a very few plastic figures, it'll be very nice. Some years we also add a chaser along the eave, but not this year.
The conveninent thing is what I did about 5 years ago. There are no outside timers, no extension cords. I rewired the outside, adding outlets under the eaves in strategic places, and a permanent timer inside, a system that could easily handle 3 times the amount of outside lighting we do.
Now, something new that I have some interest for the future...
Enjoy Lights of Winter at Epcot(the white arches that do lights to music)?
It's the one thing we have to do when we're down there in December.
Have a look at this:
http://members.cox.net/transam57/lights.wmv
Yes, that is for real, and a bit too....agressive for me. But down the road I wouldn't mind doing something a little less so. It's not that hard, all you need is a spare pc that is capable of running windows and this:
http://store.lightorama.com/locolico.html
And a whole bunch of planning.
