Joanna- always the voice of reason in my book.
I put them up 2 weeks before and take them down 2nd Jan- Can't, stand having Christmas cards and Birthday cards all up at the same time!
Around here (Georgie with belie me no doubt) its usually like the Griswalds on each house.
Years ago when the kids were small I would have poor MrB get up the ladder and put small white lights on the whole house, the large Chestnut tree on the lawn and the two Bay trees we have on the step!!!!
There would be our son squeeling to him to hurry up, as he was at the foot of the ladder well into the evening,if not the next day (well, we let him sleep in-between!!!!) till it was all complete. Now, he refuses to do it- so , I just put the lights on the bay trees and have a lovely Christmas wreath on the door- The kids ( er- 26 and 22, joke ) call us scrooges! lol
As for indoors, well, the control freak that I am will not let any one participate in the erections!!!
I must have full control of the two trees and the Garland down the stairs, these must be Silver and White, with hand tied bows over all the trees and Garlands, on both stairs and mantlepiece and woe betide anyone that knocks or re-arrages said expertly put -up Decs!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
Merry Christmas to you too!! tee hee