As the leaves begin to fall and the chill of winter starts creeping in, there’s no better time to cozy up with one of the year’s most anticipated card releases in the world of collectibles: the 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball card set. Like a warm cup of cocoa, this set brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia paired with a festive touch. Forget the mainstream; this collection does more than just pay homage to baseball icons. It adds a sprinkle of holiday cheer to the cherished pastime of card collecting.
Topps has wrapped up their 2025 releases—Series 1, Series 2, and Update—into a single festive motif, offering up a set packed with seasonal touches perfect for both the avid collector and those new to the hobby. Set to presale on September 22 at 12 p.m. EST via Topps.com, this is one gift that collectors might want to grab ahead of that shopping deadline. Be warned: as with holiday-themed peppermint bark, these presales have a tendency to disappear faster than you would expect.
So what’s under the metaphorical tree? Three unique buying formats ensure there’s a little something for everyone (assuming everyone wants baseball cards, of course). Let’s unwrap each offering:
Firstly, the Advent Calendar. Remember the joy of lifting those tiny flaps to reveal a new chocolate each day? Instead of sweets, you’ll find twenty packs: one for each December day leading up to the big holiday. The experience doesn’t stop there, as it also includes an Evergreen parallel pack and a pair of nostalgic buybacks, so it’s practically the gift that keeps on giving (until the 25th, of course).
For those who like their holidays packed into a single, hearty serving, there’s the Collector’s Tin. Stuffed with a hefty stack of cards, this chunky pack is perfect for a one-time rip, leaving you with a fashionable metal tin you can reuse. Meanwhile, for those who prefer to pace themselves, the Mega Box is your go-to. Providing ten packs full of excitement, this format-exclusive glitter parallels shine just as bright as that star on your holiday mantle.
The base checklist comprises a curated selection of 200 subjects from the flagship run, designed to spotlight stars, rookies, and fan favorites already known for their stunning photography. The set’s design transforms these cards, adding festive flourishes without overwhelming the player photos. Picture candy cane stripes dancing through the corners and tiny snowflakes drifting lazily across the surface. It’s enough to get any collector feeling merry and bright.
Inside the packs, collectors will uncover a colorful array of parallels. With names like Holiday Lights, Holiday Plaid, and Glitter Holiday, they aren’t just prints—they’re entire festive events. New this year, the debut of Chrome Holiday adds a sheen that’s sure to draw eyes. Particularly special is the gold variation, a sparkling chase for those drawn to shiny things.
Collectors will also leaf through short-printed photo variations, which might feature cheeky imagery or subtle seasonal cues. Imagine opening a pack and spotting a player donning a Santa hat—just check the small code on the back or your handy photo guide to be sure. As for the nostalgic buybacks, genuine older Topps cards reappear with a special stamp, perfect for anyone who loves a good treasure hunt.
Hoping for a Christmas miracle in the form of autographs and memorabilia? They’re here, but take note: they’re like the golden ticket in Willy Wonka’s chocolate bar. Autographs are cherished hits, and when they do appear, expect ornament-shaped die-cut windows that add a dash of holiday spirit to swatches of game-used jerseys. Just take care when handling—these beauties deserve the white-glove treatment.
The insert lines bring the sparkle, with ornament die-cuts returning by popular demand. This year, these glittery masterpieces come shaped like stacks of presents. But the stars of the year are the Making the Nice List inserts, highlighting statistical leaders from the 2024 season and making holiday icons out of baseball’s breakout performers.
For those ready to dive into the collection, some tips are worth heeding: choosing a format for its exclusives can save time later on, and treat Glitter surfaces like a rare collectible, getting them into protective sleeves pronto. As always, keep a keen eye out for those sneaky short prints—they hide in the most festive places.
Keep an eye on Topps.com for the presale starting September 22, and expect this collection to make an appearance in a variety of retail spaces as the season goes into full swing. Whether you’re prepping gifts for your favorite collector or just looking to add a little seasonal shimmer to your own collection, the 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball set is one offering that promises to deliver cheer and excitement well beyond the festive season.
