This year we're using a Rev Robotics RIOduino to control some WS2801 LEDs. The advantage of the WS2801s is that they are individually addressable (you can control the color and intensity of every individual pixel separately, instead of control of the entire strip at once).
You can find multiple LED strips that use the WS2801 driver strips, but
here is a link to a roll with good reviews on amazon, and
here is the link to a library that lets you easily control them with the RIOduino, or any Arduino compatible board for that matter.
Another option is to use non-addressable LEDs like
these (which only let you choose the color of the entire strip as a whole with the advantage of being about 1/3rd of the price). To control these you need some components that you can pick up at a Radio Shack.
Good luck, these sort of lights are a hobby of mine so feel free to PM me with any questions you might have!