Weekender #158

🤔 Brainteaser of the day: If you drop me, I’m sure to crack, but give me a smile and I’ll always smile back. What am I?

Click here to see the answer.

Check out our October Weekender 2024 Brainteasers here.

✅ Today’s Checklist: 

• Halloween hacks to save you time & money
• Catch the basics of a being a boss in our book rec
• Pet of the week: Meet Loretta

✨ P.S. Want to start your week with an inspirational message? Sign up for our Motivational Monday texts (U.S. only).

🤖 Learn how to use AI to find your dream job.

👢 How to best wear knee-high boots with dresses this fall.

🧠 Boost productivity with time blocking techniques.

🍂 Explore 30 cozy fall decor picks trending on Amazon—starting at $6.

There’s nothing better than saving time or money when it comes to Halloween festivities. Whether you’re looking to spook-up your space or craft the perfect costume, this guide is packed with clever hacks and tips to enhance your holiday without breaking the bank.

Pumpkin Carving Hacks

• Use a stencil: Stencils make carving intricate designs easier.
• Preheat your pumpkin: Warming your pumpkin before carving can help prevent cracking.
• Use a pumpkin saw: A pumpkin saw is a great tool for cutting out large shapes.
• Keep your pumpkin hydrated: Soaking your pumpkin in water for a few hours before carving can help prevent it from drying out.
• Use a candle or LED light: Candles can be a fire hazard, so consider using an LED light instead.

Halloween Food Hacks

• Make mummy hot dogs: Wrap hot dogs in crescent dough and add eyes made of chocolate chips.
• Create spider cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with black icing and add chocolate spider legs.
• Serve ghost fruit: Carve out shapes of ghosts from fruits like apples or pears.
• Make a spooky punch: Add dry ice to punch for a foggy effect.
• Serve Halloween-themed snacks: Consider serving snacks like popcorn in Halloween-themed bowls or bags.

DIY Decor Hacks

• Use dryer sheets for cobwebs: Take used dryer sheets and tear them for a cobweb effect.
• Create a spooky centerpiece: Use pumpkins, candles, and fake spiders to create a spooky centerpiece for your table.
• Use glow-in-the-dark paint: Paint pumpkins, ghosts, or other Halloween-themed items with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Last-Minute Costume Hacks

• Wear all black: A simple black outfit can be the base for many costumes. Here’s 29 ideas to choose from.
• Use makeup: Makeup can be used to transform your appearance into a spooky character.
• Use everyday items: Look around your home for items that can be used as costume pieces.

With the first month of Q4 wrapping up, it’s crunch time! If you’ve set quarterly goals, don’t leave them gathering dust. The key isn’t just setting ambitious targets—it’s regularly revisiting and refining them.

Here’s why it’s crucial:

• Keeps You Flexible: Monitoring progress weekly helps you pivot when things aren’t going as planned, rather than making last-minute, reactive changes.
• Boosts Momentum: When you see small wins each week, it builds motivation and consistency toward bigger milestones.
• Reduces Stress: Breaking down big quarterly goals into weekly objectives prevents overwhelm and keeps everything manageable.

Now, let’s explore how different platforms can support this process:

⌛ Use Wrike if you’re managing detailed, time-sensitive goals with multiple priorities

Wrike’s Gantt charts and task prioritization features allow you to see which goals are on track and which need attention. It’s ideal for project-based goals requiring precise scheduling and prioritization.

Try Wrike for free here.

📊 Use Smartsheet if you’re looking to track goals driven by data and metrics

Smartsheet’s spreadsheet-like format and detailed reporting features are perfect for tracking key metrics and aligning updates across departments. It’s great for collaborative teams needing a clear view of numbers and progress.

Try Smartsheet for free here.

👀 Use monday.com if you’re tracking highly visual, project-based goals

monday.com’s customizable boards and visual task management make it easy to break down large goals into manageable chunks. It’s perfect for those who need visual clarity on tasks and dependencies.

Try monday.com for free here.

📚 Read: The Basics of Being a Boss by Kalyn Johnson Chandler

If you’re stepping into leadership or entrepreneurship, The Basics of Being a Boss is a straightforward guide to mastering essential skills. Kalyn Johnson Chandler provides practical advice on managing teams, creating structure, and building confidence as a leader. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs or new managers, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to refine their leadership style and navigate the complexities of running a business.

📺 Watch: The Perfect Couple

The Perfect Couple takes viewers into the world of high society and mystery. This suspenseful Netflix series centers around an affluent couple whose perfect wedding is shattered by murder. As secrets unravel and lies come to the surface, viewers are left guessing who among them is hiding the darkest truth.

🎧 Listen: Bed Chem by Sabrina Carpenter

Bed Chem delivers a sultry, smooth pop sound with emotionally charged lyrics. The song explores the complexities of attraction and relationships with a catchy beat and moody undertones. Sabrina’s having a stellar pop year and we’re here for it.

Having managed close to $1M in swag budgets for marketing events, employee gifts, client gifts, and holiday gifting, I can tell you one thing: now is the time to start planning.

Whether you’re gearing up for the holiday season or prepping for upcoming conferences, early planning is crucial—vendors need extra lead time due to high demand.

Keep in mind:

• For Holiday Gifting: Plan now for personalized gifts that’ll stand out during the busiest time of year.
• For Events: High-quality or highly useful swag at conferences makes your brand memorable, but timing is everything—start early to avoid rush fees.
• Shipping & Delivery: Ensure you have updated addresses and allow for longer lead times.

Here are some of my go-tos when it comes to events:

• Branded socks (always a hit)
• EOS lip balm
• S’well tumbler
• Eye mask
• Power bank

And some trending holiday gifts:

• JBL
• Fellow Pour Over Kettle
• Sherpa blanket
• 3 piece cheese set

Don’t wait—work with swag.com to create unforgettable, high-quality swag.

Joanna (TA Co-Founder)

Loretta Lynn, yes named after the country singer, is a true southern bell. She is a treeing walker coonhound mix born in Texas. Her most notable nicknames are Lottie Dottie and Patheta.

She has always preferred the company of people over other dogs, but will occasionally play with the right dog.

She is not a fan of going outside in the rain and is afraid of children (unless they are holding food that she can unexpectedly snatch out of their hands). Her favorite pastime is snuggling under the covers or a blanket with her humans or sun bathing (even in 100+ degree heat).

In true sent hound fashion, she must always follow her nose and can never walk in a straight line or stay on the path if off leash.

🐾 Got a cute fur baby? Submit them to be our pet of the week in an upcoming issue.

🚨 Job Ops: Visit our job board here.