With the maddening billionaire NFL team owners reaching an 11th-hour (4^th and long?) agreement with the infuriating Prima Dona multi-millionaire players, it looks like the professional football season is set to kick-off as scheduled. Now that the ink is dry on the lock-out (or lack thereof), designers and buyers are sprinting towards the goal of a grid-iron celebration.

It looks like the American public is in a forgive & forget mood, as we’re seeing a huge up-swing in football-themed merchandise in the CafePress marketplace. Chances are fantasy football gear will be hot on its tail.

Not to be overshadowed by such a fall-and-winter-centric activity as football, the summer season is still sizzling just like your grill. With the mercury soaring across the nation, sun worshippers are temporarily chilling in their air-conditioned homes and offices, making, sharing and buying Summer-themed products. You’ll see them on the streets again soon, sporting fun white t-shirts celebrating El Sol.

It must have been a long, c-c-c-cold winter. We’re seeing a lot of new designs and increased interest around big sisters and big brothers. The population explosion is, at least here at CafePress, back in fashion.

Speaking of kids…with students getting ready for back-to-school, there’s a spike in dorm-room worthy products. Whether it be funny demotivational posters to laugh at on the walls of your room, or a clock that tells time your way, these products tell its time to get your learn on. Teachers are also getting ready for their classes, as education themed products are scorching (but maybe not as much as the summer heat).

CafePress shoppers seem to be in a positively giddy mood these days, as the pastafarian themed products are trending high. And who can blame them, when the Flying Spaghetti Monster is at the center of it all. Our favorite carbohydrate creature is at it again, making a cultural splash on the scene, and this time, he’s got more designs up his…noodly…sleeve. Did he grace your shopping cart with his presence the first time around, or did you decide to become a pastafarian member recently? Featuring fun designs with the combination of pasta, Rastafarian hair-dos and aliens from outer space, the Flying Spaghetti Monster products are sure to earn you a chuckle for more years to come.

Speaking of a laugher, it turns out the dreaded Carmageddon in LA fizzled. With a section of Interstate 405 closed for the weekend, fears of gridlock kept people at home. Hence, traffic was smooth. But that didn’t stop people from designing and buying lots of fun products to celebrate the “non-event.”

The US Women’s soccer team is kicking some serious booty in Germany, and soccer-themed gear is equally hot. With the last-minute dramatics and two more games to play (“Hope”fully – pun intended), there should be a lot of soccer designs scoring big in the days and weeks to come. You go girls!

Wedding-themed products are also making a splash as Summer nuptials are happening from coast-to-coast (and around the globe). From buttons and car magnets for bachelorette parties to wedding invitations, the matrimony cottage industry is in full swing. This on the heals of the Royal Wedding, which is still trending pretty high – given the lucky couple’s honeymoon-like trip to Canada and the US.

America themes continue to trend high as the summer days are longer and distance to the BBQ and swimming pool gets closer and closer. From Independence Day designs to patriotism, the colors of our flag are hot, hot, hot. Red hot, in fact.

But not to be out done, 2012 election themes are ramping up for the upcoming debates. Everyone wants to speak their peace on the best candidate and show what issues are important.

After the long cold winter, it appears that lots of little sisters and little brothers seem to be joining the world. This is pretty obvious from the number of big brother and big sister products that are selling. Lots of new designs in this area too. Must be a lot of proud parents out there?

The quickly-approaching July 4th celebration has people seeing red, white & blue. Independence Day designs and Americana themes are hotter than the bumper of a ’76 Buick cruising in a holiday parade. Hopefully the weather will be nice for people to get outdoors and enjoy their summer merchandise.

Also exploding on the scene are new Obama designs, pro and con, as the rhetoric picks up between Republicans and Democrats. Sales are starting to skyrocket as voters hope to spread the word on their unique assessment of the President’s performance to date – and chance for the 2012 election.

And because people need to relax and unwind with some less taxing matters, pop culture is a rising tide this early summer. The TV show Blue Mountain State is trending high, and designs are selling particularly well. Ditto for the daytime talk show The View, which continues to rack up significant sales.

With Gay Pride festivities in full-force across the country, a rainbow of designs are bubbling to the top. And naturally, CafePress customers are purchasing them en mass. In fact, equal rights designs of all themes are popular as people prepare for summer and are looking for products that express what they’re most passionate about.

Speaking of passion, the 2012 Election is one hot tamale on the trending politics gravy train. With Newt Gingrich throwing his hat in the ring and the first of many Republic Party debates happening, people are looking to sway opinion. Vote early and often (with tees, of course).

A wave of patriotism also seems strong, especially for military-themed designs. With Independence Day just around the corner, look for more red, white & blue to go with the camouflage coloring.

Now that Father’s Day is (yikes!) just around the corner, gifts for Dad (oh, and Granddads) are seriously spiking. Looks like grateful children across the country are remembering and appreciating all the sacrifices Fathers have been making after all. Or maybe it’s just a guilt trip? Either way, the Father’s Day section is booming.

With the economy still limping along – and the auto industry especially hard hit – Grand Rapids has been in the news as Michigan adjusts to changing times. Designs usually go hand-in-hand with news, like Grand Rapids YouTube video that went viral two weeks ago, and we’re seeing a lot of action with people supporting the city.

And let us not forget that yesterday was Flag Day. And American Flag designs are always popular this time of year. Especially as summer kicks in and parades and fireworks heat up as quickly as the temperatures. Pass the hot dogs and apple pie.

Although the Royal Wedding is now gently simmering on the back burner, other British-inspired topics are heating up at CafePress. One red-hot riser is from Britain’s WWII war effort and America’s favorite comic characters, Peanuts. The Keep Calm and Carry On T-shirts and posters features Snoopy and the Gang are selling well. Ditto for TARDIS designs. It’s the fictional time machine in England’s Dr. Who television series, which looks suspiciously like a blue phone booth.

Of course on this side of the pond, dutiful sons and daughters are boiling over in excitement for Father’s Day. With just a few days left until the holiday, we expect a big rush on gifts in this area.  We’re certainly all shopping for Dads around here, anyway.

Take a peek at last week’s latest hot trends in our weekly Cultural Barometer report!

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, sales of Dad-themed gifts are skyrocketing. Ditto for new designs being added to the site. It seems everybody remembers at the same time. Now why is that?

American Idol is also off the charts, especially Scotty McCreery designs. As the winner, he’s everybody’s hero. Hats off to Scotty. T-shirts on.

And with The Hangover Part II now out in theaters, everyone is talking about (and getting their copy of) the yellow T-shirt with the lovable lab. Yes, their wardrobe department got it from CafePress. You can get it too.