Just moved out and Christmas decorating for the first time? I'm a professional organizer and my 5 simple storage tips will help with the clear up

Moving home is one of the most stressful live events – but it's also an opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings, particularly if you make the move during the holidays.

Filling your home with beautiful decorations is one of the best parts of Christmas, but if you're a first time buyer, you might not have had the opportunity to get yourself any permanent Christmas decor storage solutions yet.

I'm a professional organizer, and these are my practical storage hacks so you can pack everything up efficiently after the holidays and set yourself up for stress-free decorating next year, avoiding any Christmas decoration storage mistakes.

1. Invest in sturdy bins

When it comes to Christmas decor storage essentials every home needs, clear plastic bins are the perfect place to start, as they make it easy to see what's inside, and keep your decor safe from moisture, mold and pests.

Clear organizing bins can also help you to banish stubborn mess, and, if you're on a tight budget, start with just a couple and add more over time.

All prices correct at the time of publication.

2. Label everything

Then, use a label maker, such as the Brother P-Touch Handy Label Maker available at Amazon, or sticky notes (available at Walmart) to identify what’s in each box. This simple step will save you precious time next year when searching for the tree lights or your favorite ornaments in your festive storage solutions.

3. Use DIY ornament storage

When it comes to ornament storage, you can use cardboard dividers (like wine boxes) or re-purpose egg cartons to keep ornaments safe and separated without spending extra.

While this is also a great way to be sustainable at home, if you prefer to replicate how professional organizers store Christmas decorations, you can use a specifically designed storage box, but a shoe box or something similar will do just as well in a pinch.

4. DIY or store bought light reels

There's no doubt that storing both outdoor and indoor Christmas lighting ideas can be difficult, so avoid tangles by winding lights around a piece of cardboard or an empty paper towel roll. Then, label each one for its intended location, such as tree or porch, to sidestep any Christmas lighting mistakes to avoid.

If you find yourself still tied up in knots, and your Christmas lights still get tangled, you can upgrade your DIY cardboard reel for a storage gem, such as codree 8 PCS All Purpose Light Storage Holder available at Amazon, or, for strings with larger bulbs, the Premium Christmas Light Storage Bag available at Amazon is a great Christmas tree light storage solution.

5. Maximize small spaces

Finally, consider under-the-bed bins, stackable storage, or space-saving vacuum-seal bags for soft items like tree skirts and stockings if your home is small or short on storage areas.

These storage ideas for tiny homes will capitalize on all available space, and slot away in any small living room ideas or cluttered garage shelving ideas.

Those are my top five tips for those new to Christmas decorating but the most important advice I can give you as a professional organizer is to create a storage solution that works for you.

Decide on a location for your decorations now, whether it’s a closet, basement, or attic and keep all of it, if possible in the same space. Consistency is key to finding everything you need easily next year and not ending up buying new what you already have because you fail to find it!

Before you get started this year, delve into our guide on the most efficient way to take down Christmas decor to make the tedious task quicker and smoother.