With Valentine’s Day on the minds of many today, there is a definite rift between those who are all about the love, and those who could care less about the holiday.

Take my visit to the local Trader Joe’s during lunchtime today, where I saw about six men crowded in the flower section, examining bouquets. With love in the air today, how could they not visit the corner full of beautiful blooms?

Or do you feel the urge to burn through all the flowers, chocolates, balloons and hearts galore today with lasers shooting from your eyes?

Well, you’re not the only one – but you don’t share the sentiments of most people for this holiday. According to the CafePress Cultural Barometer®, which tracked the sales of Valentine’s Day gear off of CafePress.com over the last four years, love reigns supreme in the minds (and hearts) of our users. Observe our infographic: since 2008, pro-Valentine’s Day products have outsold anti-Valentine’s Day gear, 75% to 25%.

So what say you on this dreamy 14^th day of February? Are you a lover or a fighter?

Well, the media hubbub surrounding Herman Cain’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign is starting to die down. And with Cain out, it may mean no more pizza for the former Godfather Pizza CEO – but in Willy Wonka terms, that doesn’t mean the race for the republican “golden ticket” is over yet. Especially with the newest candidate who just announced his intent to run.

Meet Marvin E. Quasniki – turquoise farmer from Nevada and newest Presidential hopeful.

For someone who is terrified of muppets (The Swedish Chef has NO EYES people), Marvin is actually OK in my book. He’s got some sass, some humor, and most of all, a personality that is likeable to the public. Ask him about his platforms, and you’ll get a simple answer: “No Bulls%*t!” Take a look at the official Marvin E. Quasniki video channel to see what Marvin’s really all about – and you can find all of his official merchandise on CafePress in the Marvin Quasniki shop.

So determine for yourself if you think Marvin is a good candidate for the 2012 election and get your vote in gear. Maybe you’ll see him on the streets near your town. And for my sake, let’s just hope he doesn’t bring The Swedish Chef on the campaign trail with him.

2008 turned out to be a year of triumphs, upsets, and a major historical milestone, in the form of the presidential election.

And throughout that year, our community created amazing designs for their favorite candidates – and we started to notice a very interesting trend. We found that we could make an educated guess on who would win based on the sales percentages of CafePress products for each candidate. And from every primary, to John McCain’s Republican nomination, to the election of Barack Obama as the next president, our theory turned out to be right on target. If we could – in a way – help predict the 2008 elections through the popularity of our products, we could measure CafePress as a Cultural Barometer for pop culture and current events. We built the “CafePress Meter” and became a straw poll of sorts.

This year, we’re sensing the anticipation of the upcoming 2012 elections – and we’re already seeing who’s being talked about, and who’s going to make it or break it. Take a look at who’s got the buzz, and who’s going to give Obama a run for his money:

Although Sarah Palin has yet to announce her intentions for the Presidential race, Sarah Palin products have been consistently up for the past nine months. To be or not to be – that is the Palin question. In addition, Ron Paul’s going strong, and Rick Perry has started to take over a bigger piece of the Republican challengers pie since his declaration for the presidential seat in June.

All in all, we’re keeping a close watch on what’s happening, and we’ll be your source for all things politics through products to sport your support. Who do you think has the biggest chance to run against Obama, and who is his biggest threat?

While east coast earthquakes and high-profile reality TV weddings may be a blip on the brains of some, the 2012 election season is certainly coming to a head – well, many heads – in the form of potential candidates planning their campaigns to run against President Obama. And CafePress users are following and creating the trends.

Take Rick Perry, the Texas governor who made his intentions of presidential proportions official this month – and soon after his announcement, Rick Perry gifts were as popular and plentiful as his state’s beloved longhorn.

And also making a splash on Cultural Barometer scene: enter Ron Paul. No stranger to the Republican race to the White House, the House representative has a strong following with Ron Paul Revolution gifts after formally announcing his candidacy back in May of this year.

Politics is already heating up for 2012 – and its only August. I wonder if all those politicians wearing suits in the summer heat has anything to do with it…

Surf’s up, critters. Animals are riding high on our Cultural Barometer wave of popular products this week.

We know how much dogs love food, but they rarely talk about it. But one poor dog speaks his mind as his owner taunts him with delicious food in the ultimate talking dog video. And almost overnight, a canine star was born – and now he could even wear one of his own talking dog t-shirts…or if he feels like sharing, get one for his owner. As long as he shares the maple bacon.

Normally penguins are cute and cuddly, but don’t piss them off…like the bad penguin, which topped our seller charts this week. He’s got a gripe about something – don’t let it be you. And he’s not the only evil penguin on CafePress – he has company in the form of a penguin demotivational poster.

Assuming Darwin was correct about survival of the fittest – this trending T-Rex t-shirt may explain why the deadly dino is now extinct. After all, if you can’t pass the pushups portion of your physical fitness test, you may be out of luck.

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.”

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.