I think Christmas decorations should be put up after Thanksgiving. I admit I'm the kind of person who, as soon as all the guests had left and everything had been cleaned up, would start putting up Christmas decorations. So, I wouldn't mind if someone did that, but it's probably best to wait till the day or Saturday after. I've never really thought when to put them down, but sometime in early January sounds good.
I like a variety of Christmas decorations. I like the colorful baubles, especially if they have some sort of pretty design on it. I think the ones that are simply one color can be done so that it looks nice, but in general, they're a bit bland for me. Snowflakes and stars, if done correctly, look rather nice. I also like crosshatching designs with silver or gold. I also like glass and differently shaped ornaments. I do like sparkles, as long it's not on every single ornament and decoration you have.
I also really love colored lights. I like to hang them in my bedroom. It casts a really pretty glow and is really pretty. Of course, they also look nice on Christmas trees and on the outside of houses, especially from a distance. I like snowglobes and we also have Christmas music things. We have an egg that has been painted and if you open the door, there's a scene inside of a Christmas tree decoration. It plays music and spins. It's not a music box, but I can't think of the right word for it. I've always thought it looked so elegant and beautiful, though.
There are also stars which I've grown to love. I originally thought they were made out of a thick paper or cardboard, but all the ones I've seen up close turned out to be made from metal. Basically they have holes (rather shapes) in the metal and the light shines through. I like all of them, but the colored ones add a bit more, I think.
I don't always mind inflatables, but I think most of the Christmas ones are rather distasteful. Like giant Santas. I find Santa a bit creepy, so that might be why I dislike it, though.
Because of that, I also dislike most decorations that have to do with Santa. The exception to that are the ones that have to do with reindeer (not inflatables) that are out in the yard. I don't like the unrealistic ones, but the other ones are pretty nice. Perhaps not something I'd have in my yard, but I like seeing them every once in a while.