It’s Friday the 13th…r u scared?

Yes, Friday the 13th rolls around at some point every year, but 2012 isn’t just any year. Today is the 1st of 3 Friday the 13ths this year, and what’s even more unusual is that they’re exactly 13 weeks apart (January 13, April 13, and July 13) – a rarity that hasn’t occurred  since 1984. For most of us, the creepiness of Friday the 13th is a result of horror films we watched growing up, but do you carry any real-life superstitions about this particular day? Do you have any idea where this bad-luck belief comes from?

Horror Films Popularized Fear of Friday the 13th

Let’s start with the number 13. Why is it considered unlucky? Well, you may not know this, but in numerology, the number 12 is considered the number of completeness, which is evident in the 12 months on our calendar, 12 hours on our clock, and in Biblical times, the 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles of Jesus. Some believe the superstition regarding an unlucky 13 is derived from the fact that 13 people attended the Last Supper before Jesus’ death. In German mythology, a Norse myth warns of dire consequences for dining in groups of 13. The belief that if 13 diners sat together, one of them would later die was so prevalent that some French aristocrats even hired themselves out as the 14th diner at various events.

13 Guests Dined at The Last Supper

So what’s so bad about Friday? I don’t know about you but when I get to work I’m like “Happy Friday!” Pop songs like Rebecca Black’s “Friday” and Katy’s Perry’s “Last Friday Night” prove Friday to be a highly anticipated day in our culture. While we positively associate Friday with the beginning of the weekend, people throughout history have considered it unlucky. The association of bad luck with Friday dates back to the late 14th century when author Geoffrey Chaucer  wrote “and on a Friday fell all this misfortune” in his book Canterbury Tales.

Early mention of Bad Luck falling on Friday

Much later, a correlation between Friday and misfortune began to spread as numerous publications in the 17th century referenced Friday as an unlucky day to start a new venture (begin a journey, get married, give birth, move, start a new job, etc.). In Christianity, Jesus was crucified on a Friday. To us, Black Friday means killer Christmas shopping deals, but it has long been associated with financial crisis and other disasters. In the ’60s, a Philadelphia newspaper wrote that Black Friday was not a term of endearment, but instead a term for a crummy day that “brings massive traffic jams and over-crowded sidewalks as the downtown stores are mobbed from opening to closing.” I guess not much has changed about that!

Black Friday deals create midnight shopping madness

Since 13 is an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day, you can understand that some foster a fear of days like today. This fear is known as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Say what?! Let’s break that down – Frigga is the name of the Norse goddess for whom “Friday” is named, triskaideskaphobia is fear of the number 13 (from the Greek words tris which means “3″, kai which means “and”, and deka which means “10″; phobia is derived from the Greek Phobos, meaning “fear” or “morbid fear”).

An estimated 17 to 21 million people in the U.S. are affected by a fear of Friday the 13th (according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina), making it the most feared day and date in history! Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they totally avoid their normal routine. Some are so extreme they refuse to fly or even get out of bed. Interestingly, it has been estimated that $800 million is lost in business in the U.S. on days like today.

Is the fear legit? Do more bad things happen on this day than on any other day? There are conflicting studies regarding the risks of accidents on Friday the 13th. Some believe fewer incidents occur because people are more cautious on Friday the 13th, or they just stay home altogether. As for driving, I guess it depends on where you live – in the Netherlands there are fewer auto accidents on Friday the 13th than other Fridays, but there are far more traffic-related accidents that day in England. As for the U.S. – I guess you’ll find out today on your commute home!

It's Friday the 13th - drive safe!

Keep in mind, deaths that occur on Friday the 13th are often related to incidents that occurred in the days before. For instance, rapper Tupac Shakur died on Friday, September 13, 1996, but it was a result of being gunned down on the 7th.

So whether you’re superstitious or not, let’s put the 13 aside and stay in good spirits, because today is, after all, still Friday! I don’t know about you but I plan to make it a great day! Let’s put a positive spin on the number 13 this year. You can start by checking out Kyle Design’s Design Your Own Gifts – just add the Number 13 design to any “DESIGN IT” gift and you’ll be off to a great start. Happy shopping and Happy Friday!

Black, Gold & Silver Engraved Business Card Cases

Square & Round Compact Mirrors in 40+ Colors

Add a "13" Design to a Personalized Bookmark

Personalized Chinese New Year Gifts

Happy New Year! As the calendar quickly turned from December to January we welcomed 2012 with fireworks, balloon drops, and champagne toasts around the world. And now another countdown begins – the coming of the Chinese New Year. Since the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, which means it’s based on the moon as well as the sun, the Chinese New Year can fall anywhere from January 21st to February 20th on the U.S. (solar-based) calendar. This year, it falls on Monday, January 23, 2012.

One thing I love about the Chinese Calendar is that each year is associated with one of 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. If you were born in 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, or 2000 you were born in the year of the Dragon. If not, do you know what your birth zodiac is? Look it up on this chart….

Notice any similarities between your zodiac animal and your personality?

Whatever year you were born, Kyle Design can help commemorate your year with a custom animal business card case, engraved animal flask, or unique pill box. Or, give a friend or relative a unique Chinese New Year gift to help celebrate the exciting year that lies ahead in 2012.  Ring in the Year of the Dragon with personalized Chinese dragon money clips, engraved business card cases with dragons, dragon flasks, dragon nightlights, dragon purse hooks, and more dragon gifts. Visit Chinese New Year Gifts for some ideas, and remember -

ANY

“DESIGN IT” gift

ANYWHERE on www.kyledesigns.com

can be personalized with a dragon design and your choice of color behind the dragon.

Just pick a “DESIGN IT” gift and select a dragon design from the “Animal” Category (“Dragon #122″ OR “Dragon-Chinese #187″).

Happy New Year everyone!

Chinese New Year Pill Box in Gold or Silver & over 40 Background Colors

Chinese New Year Earrings

Gold, Silver, or Black Chinese New Year Business Card Case

Gold or Silver Year of the Dragon Money Clip, 40+ Colors

Engravable Chinese New Year Flask - over 40 color choices

Personalized Gifts in time for Christmas!

What’s hot this holiday season? Personalized flasks, engraved business card cases, and custom ornaments! We know because we are shipping out hundreds every day! It’s not too late to get a personalized gift this holiday season – Kyle Design is currently shipping out orders placed by 1pm (Pacific Time) on the same day! That includes engraved flasks and engraved business card cases (we’re working harder than Santa’s elves over here!)

We have great gifts for women (think custom compact mirror cases, personalized jewelry, and customized jewelry boxes), masculine gifts for men (like liquor flasks, custom business card cases, engraved money clips, or personalized pocket knives), great customizable gifts for your boss and coworkers (custom badge holders, engravable business card holders, and personalized desk accessories), and even gifts for kids (fun fridge magnets, metal treasure boxes with cool designs, and custom night lights).

Design a magnet with any of Kyle's 500 designs!

Engravable Flasks - 100s of Designs!

Customizable Business Card Cases

Ordering online is quick and easy – just pick the gift you want, select your favorite design, pick some awesome accent colors, and add it to your cart. Need help? Give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through the design process! Worried about holiday delivery? Check our Helpful Holiday Shipping Guide to learn more about how to get your package in time for the festivities.

Gifts for Friends with Specific Interests

We all have that one Facebook friend who’s constantly updating their status and uploading pictures to update us on their current obsession whether it’s athletic shoes, the Twilight movies, their cat, or their latest masterpiece in the kitchen (yes, those chocolate brownies look delicious thanks for sharing!). Whether they’re on Facebook or not, we deal regularly with the specialized interests of the people closest to us. My best friend is obsessed with the Wizard of Oz, my mom’s obsessed with her dog, and my neat-freak brother is obsessed with cleaning his car (he’s the weirdo washing his car in the driveway at 2am). I’m sure on some level you can relate.

The best thing about people with such obvious interests is that they are SO much fun to shop for! Nothing beats getting a gift that someone will use (like a purse hook) with a design they’ll love (like high heel shoes for my fashionista girlfriend who has about 300 pair – but I’m not complaining since we’re both a size 8). At Kyle Design, there are 500 designs that you can put on any one of our gift items. So if you know someone who loves their dog, you can get them a dog ornament, dog pill box, dog bookmark, dog purse hook – the list goes on and on because you can get a dog on any item we sell on our site!

Personalize a Pill Box Gift for someone special

Pick any design, any color

Create your own custom Bookmark

We have 7 different dog designs (6 shown here). Want a night light with a Chihuahua instead of a Dachshund? Design one now at www.kyledesigns.com.

Round Pill Cases with Hundreds of Designs

Design your own unique Night Light

Customize a Business Card Holder

And that goes for our other designs as well – we have designs for all sorts of specific hobbies, interests, and careers. We’ve got common designs like flowers, sports, and animals, and super niche designs like quilting, the I Love You sign language sign, and the Asian symbol for Happiness. I have a feeling you’ve got a specific design in mind right now and you’re wondering if we have it – chances are we do – click Kyle’s Design Categories Page and see for yourself!

Once you find a design that fits that special someone you’re shopping for, just find the Kyle Design gift you’d like to put it on (like a personalized flask, custom key chain, or unique magnet) and choose any of the gifts that say “DESIGN IT” across their picture (we know there are a lot – that’s what makes it so fun!). Then add your favorite design to that product in silver or gold and pick any background color to personalize your gift for the recipient. On many gifts you can also add a high quality diamond-tip engraving for even further customization.

Since I rarely update my Facebook status, people probably don’t know what I’m obsessed with (leopard print…hint hint). Christmas is just a couple weeks away – if you haven’t been updating your Facebook and Twitter enough this might be a good time to start (otherwise you’ll probably end up with another tacky item that will have you wishing you had given your status a little more thought). Happy Holiday Shopping from Kyle Design!

It’s Time to Talk Sweets!

Um, how come no one told me there’s a National Desserts day? I’m surprised to learn such a thing exists and I haven’t heard of it…I mean, I, of all people, should have founded it! I’m an eat-dessert-for-breakfast, lunch and dinner kind of girl! (I mean as the entree, not as the encore.) If there’s leftover birthday cake sitting in my kitchen, you better believe I’m eating it for breakfast. And if I happen to catch a glance at the dessert menu, there’s a good chance I’m ordering the Warm Apple Crisp or Molten Chocolate Cake for dinner. This is something that has caused some tension between my health-nut husband and I, but it’s something I learned from my mother and life’s just too short (another thing she taught me) to skip dessert!

In celebration of sweets, Kyle Design has some great chocolate themed gifts for women who love sugary surprises. Dessert lovers beware – these tasty treats may make you hungry!

Custom Postage Stamp Holders for Chocolate Lovers - Click to see more!

Personalized Purse Hook - Click to see all Cupcake Gifts at Kyle Design

Birthday Cake Night Lights from Kyle Design- click to see other Decorative Cake Gifts

By the way, National Dessert Day was last month, but why wait? Go ahead and order dessert for your next entree – trust me, it tastes much better when you’re not too full to enjoy it! And don’t worry about adding on a couple of extra pounds – we’re headed into winter and it’s nothing a slouchy sweater or trendy trench coat won’t hide!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Money Clip - Click to see other Custom Cookie Gift Items!

Small Cookie Case for pills, vitamins, earrings, matches, and other small items.

Personalized Pie Pill Box – Click to see all Pie-Themed Gifts!

Shop more Unique Food and Beverage Gifts at Kyle Design! And don’t forget all our gifts are customizable – design a dessert Christmas Tree Ornament for some sweet holiday decor!

Hot Guy Buys from Kyle Design

Since guys are always the toughest to shop for, Kyle Design has some ideas to get you started (and finished!). This year, get him what he wants – manly gifts in masculine colors – blue, green, orange, black, and brown. (But don’t be surprised to see some fun feminine gifts in the mix! Especially those leopard print patterns!)

Personalized Business Card Holders in 100s of Designs

Custom Money Clip Pocket Knifes with Hobby, Sport, or Occupation Themes!

Sports Flasks in Team Colors

Lots of orders are coming in for credit card cases and business card holders. Is there anyone on your list who could use a sleek new personalized holder? Or an engraved flask or money clip? Get gifts guys want at Kyle Design! Pull out that shopping list and find the perfect holiday gift for your dad, brother, boyfriend, Grandpa, friend, coworker, boss or anyone! There’s something for everyone (and plenty of other great colors too)!

Hot New Colors from Kyle Design!

I just LOVE choices! Often times when I’m looking for just the right gift, party favor, or decor item for my home I need it in an exact shade – not just plain red or brown. But so often that’s all I’m stuck with. I’ll leave a store disappointed, thinking that the shade I really want is in between the red and the pink and neither one will do. Sound familiar? Just in time for the holidays Kyle Design kicks off hot new colors! And to make shopping really easy, we have a new Shop by Color function! Browse through each of Kyle Design’s color pages to see various shades of that particular hue on several of our unique, customizable gift items. Get great ideas about which unique Kyle Design products will make perfect gifts for your family this holiday season. Here’s a few feminine colors to get you started!

Personalized Blue Gifts - Custom Create Yours!

Unique Pink Custom Gifts from Kyle Design

Custom Purple-Shaded Gifts from Kyle Design

Each Kyle Design color comes in several shades – there’s 10 hues of blue! Click Kyle’s Custom Colors to see all your color choices for creating unique Christmas Gifts for your friends and family. If you already know what color you want, use these these quick color shortcuts to get there now: aqua, black, blue, brown, green, hot pink, orange, pink, purple, red, white, or yellow.  Or click Shop Kyle Design by Color too see them all and start checking people off your holiday shopping list today!

Unique RN gifts you can’t resist!

I just learned that Registered Nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation in the U.S. today. There’s literally 2.6 million RN jobs out there! Woah! That explains why I know SO many people in nursing school! My sister-in-law graduates in a week and a half and my cousin will become a nurse next summer. And they’ll be joined by many others – I’m sure you know a few too. If you plan to give them money as a graduation present – which I’m sure you do as that’s what most graduates want! – why not throw in an inexpensive, personalized trinket to help commemorate their special day? I’m giving my sister-on-law a Kyle Design RN badge holder in the hospital colors where she’ll be working, and an RN keychain in her school colors with her name, school, and graduation date engraved on the back.

Personalized Nursing Key Chains

Custom RN Badge Holder

One thing that’s fun about nursing is there’s so many areas nurses can work in, which makes designing RN gifts so fun! This year for Christmas I’m going to give all the nurses I know gifts that are specific to their line of work – for instance, this awesome Navy Nurse card case for my friend in San Diego…

Cool Navy Nurse Gifts

What kind of nurse do you know? Here’s some other combos from Kyle Design to get you thinking…

Fun Pediactric Nurse Card Cases for RNs

Gifts for Family Nurse Practitioners

Home Nurse Gifts in over 42 colors

For even further customization Kyle Design has some sleek new triple-design and quadruple-design cases which have already been flying off the shelves! A couple of my favorites are the ER Nurse and the Pre-Med designs – super practical gifts for the Emergency Room Nurse or Medical Student you know is working SO hard!

Custom LVN Business Card Holders - Design Yours!

Unique Pre-Med Card Cases for Medical Students

Design your own Emergency Room Nurse Gift

Of course, our etched metal RN design is fun all by itself, and you can put it on a Kyle Design jewelry box, magnet, compact mirror, purse hook, pill case, glasses case, or Christmas ornament (which, by the way, are great for hanging in your hospital or doctor’s office or handing out at holiday parties – a thoughtful way to thank your hospital staff).

Specialty RN Christmas Ornament in vibrant colors - custom design yours!

So if you’re looking for the perfect graduation, birthday, or holiday gift for a nurse, be sure to check out Kyle Design’s RN-inspired gifts. Remember, they’re all fully customizable so go nuts! And please, don’t tell my sister-in-law what she’s getting for her graduation!

DIY Decorative Switch Plates with Kyle Design

If you’re like me, the sewing machine and glue gun come out around mid-October when the kids get into Halloween mode. But now that the 31st has come and gone and the costumes are complete (and by complete I mean they’ve been worn, trashed, and thrown aside…*sigh*), I’ve got all this creative energy still flowing and I need an outlet! Speaking of outlets…my husband and I spent the summer repainting the interior of our home and all the walls are a nice warm, gold tone. All the stark white switch plates and outlet covers really stand out and I can’t stop thinking about what I can do about it!

It turns out I have plenty of options! Do you know how easy it is to re-cover your switch plates with fabric, decorative paper, or even wallpaper? In about 5 minutes I turned my one of my boring white ones into a super decorative holiday one that stands out (in a good way!) I was so excited I didn’t want to keep this craft secret to myself so I added it to the Kyle Design website. Check out my Covered Switchplate Instructions and turn your switch plates into decorative pieces that shine year-round or add a festive holiday touch to your home like I did.

Custom Switchplates - from drab to fab in 5 minutes!

Don’t have the time? Kyle Design offers colorful custom hand-crafted switch plates. They’re fun and fully customizable – there’s hundreds of metal design options (including sports and animals, which are great for your kids’ rooms, as well as religious symbols, careers and other artistic designs – check ‘em out!), and over 40 vivid shimmery colors.  They’re great for every room in your home – the entryway, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room – you get the point!

Get the most out of this holiday season with Kyle Design’s Do-It-Yourself holiday themed covered switch plates or get your order in for some made by Kyle Design – either way, your house will be ready for all the holiday gatherings that are headed your way now that November has rolled around. Only a few shorts weeks ’til Thanksgiving! Whether you do it yourself or order from Kyle Design, you can still put that Halloween-inspired creative energy to good use! So have fun!

Tons of creative choices at Kyle Design

Design yours at Kyle Design today!

Customize ANY size with ANY color!

Over 40 fun colors!

Unique Custom Photo Frames from Kyle Design

New unique photo frames at Kyle Design are just in time for this holiday season! These sturdy, wooden frames come with a custom decorative metal design and there’s 6 fun colors to choose from. Just like all our other products, they are fully customizable – you can select from one of our hundreds of images and various background colors. Choose a holiday design and put out your family’s holiday photos in style. They’re also great for pictures of pets! Or, give them out to friends, family-members or co-workers this Christmas.  They’re great for your parents or grandparents and come in both 4×7 and 5×7 sizes. Get yours today!

If you’re looking to decorate your tree, don’t miss out on our photo frame ornaments. We also have pretty photo lockets and picture frame bookmarks if you’re needing one-of-a-kind gifts or stocking stuffers.

Add your favorite photo of a beloved pet to show appreciation for your furry companion

These photo frames are sure to be appreciated by Grandma & Grandpa this holiday season!