i like the idea with the Christmas lights, you could get 3 cheap mechanical timers, the first one would light a short string of lights or a warm white color, second a long one or a bright white and third another long bright strands, can string them on the ceiling too, that the only complaint i have about my wake up light, is that my bed is taller then the table it is on so if i'm facing the wrong way, it doesn't have the same effect. LED christmas lights should last for a very long time and are efficient.
Amazon has a 2 pack of timers for $9 and LED strands for $5-$7 depending on the color. So should be around $35 for everything.