You know her, you love her, and you’ve definitely saved her motherly advice; she’s Babs (Costello), and she’s back with hacks! TikTok’s savvy grandma (@brunchwithbabs) has us feeling calm, cool, and collected after answering our holiday curiosities — covering everything from serving a feast with limited space to avoiding mystery gifts.

MY: After a big holiday spread we love to dish out leftovers, but are we supposed to give away all of our tupperware?

Babs Costello: Stock up on disposable muffin tins, the aluminum kind you find at the dollar store or in a multi-pack at your grocery market, to send leftovers home with guests. This way they get a little bit of everything, it all stays separate, and they can pop it right in the oven for a hot meal the next day.

MY: We know we need to water our Christmas tree regularly, but every time we do it makes a big mess and we end up with floor rings or a musty carpet. Help!

BC: Use a disposable tablecloth under the tree to protect your floor. Put your stand directly on top and a skirt over that to disguise the plastic.

MY: We’d love to start a new tradition in our family that we can build on over the years. Any ideas?

BC: Save the fresh cut from your Christmas tree and make an ornament out of it to commemorate each year’s tree. Or, decorate it and use it as a thoughtful gift.

MY: Tags and labels come off gifts so easily, especially when kiddos are constantly taking inventory. How do we avoid mystery gifts when the unwrapping frenzy dies down?

BC: Use a different patterned gift wrap for each person with presents under your tree. It saves on gift tags, and you can make sure there’s equality in gifts if kids are involved.

MY: We really enjoy hosting big holiday meals, but how do we manage having everything ready to go at the same time with limited space?

BC: To save stove and oven space, make your mashed potatoes and gravy ahead of time, then use a slow cooker to keep the potatoes warm and a thermos to keep gravy just right until you’re ready to serve.