The liturgical year is separated into seasons, and each season has colors associated with it.  The different colors have different meanings, and they can be a simple and helpful visual reminder of the season.  

In Advent the main color is purple.  Purple is for royalty, and for penitence.  Royalty, of course, because we are waiting for the King of Kings.  Penitence because we are preparing for Him.  

A little bit of purple will go a long way in keeping you focused.  As we begin to decorate our homes for Christmas, it is easy to get lost in the celebratory atmosphere.  Use a bit visible purple to remind you what season it is.  Put a purple table cloth on the table, or use purple ribbons where you will use red on Christmas, like on that wreath on your door.  (It is easy enough to switch on Christmas!)  That way, when you come home from shopping in those painfully over-bright malls, or from work, where you listened to the already tedious carols on your coworker's radio all day, you refocus.  

This is a season for penitence.  This is a season to humble ourselves.  The King is coming!