he hehe... I consider the blow up figurines (santa, reindeer, etc) tacky no matter when! :P But lights? I refuse to call them Christmas lights - because it will only allow you to keep them during Christmas! I think for the reason you state they can be up through the winter (well, if it doesn't blow up the fuse or the electric bill - but we do live in an apartment and so it is not as much of an issue for us). I found out some people call them fairy lights? I like that.

Anyway, we had our string of lights up since Diwali - Oct 2017! :) They did go down mid January along with the tree. Per our custom I am supposed to light a lamp everyday at sunset. It's very calming (and before electricity that was done for practical reasons). Of course, I haven't done that in years - but you are right. We should keep festive lights on (at least in winter). It cheers one up!