The light switches that have a clock built in so that they turn on and turn off on a pre-determined schedule can be useful if you go on a trip or want to be sure you are coming home to a lighted house.  They are cheap too–I think they are less that $5 now.    You can get them at Home Depo, Lowe’s etc. etc.

You can also get a remote “on” switch to turn on the lights before you walk in but these cost more, depending on exactly what you wish to turn on.

Finally, some people will install a master switch that, when turned on, illuminates all the outside of a house. They use this switch so that, when they hear something, they can check the entire outside of the house easily.