As the calendar inches toward the end of yet another year, Topps presents its annual holiday gift to baseball card enthusiasts: the 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball collection. Imagine this product as the cardboard equivalent of sipping on hot cocoa by the fire—it’s all delightfully familiar, festive, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. This special edition capitalizes on the core designs from 2025 Topps Series 1, Series 2, and Update, giving them a yuletide twist that’s sure to bring a sparkle to any collector’s eye.
The cards are set to be snatched up quickly, with a presale kicking off September 22 at 12 p.m. EST on Topps.com. Given past trends, expect the virtual shelves to clear faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve once the sale is live. So, make sure your alarms are set and your fingers nimble for click and refresh.
The 2025 Holiday edition rolls out in three enticing formats, each as festive as a holiday party and carrying its own exclusive charm. Let’s waltz you through the lineup:
First, we have the Advent Calendar. It’s a treat for those who relish the thrill of unwrapping little surprises leading up to the main event. Just like a chocolate-filled calendar, every day brings a new pack to crack open, twenty in total. It adds an Evergreen parallel pack and a couple of nostalgic buybacks into the mix, making it a sweet addition to your holiday traditions or a thoughtful gift.
Then there’s the Collector’s Tin—a single, chunky pack neatly cradled in a reusable tin that serves both as holiday décor and storage solution. Perfect for collectors who prefer a swift, no-fuss ripping experience while getting exclusives that pack their own seasonal punch.
And of course, for those who love a good chase, the Mega Box is your classic card ripping adventure from the comfort of home. With ten packs to peruse, the pace is steady yet satisfying, especially since it includes glitter parallels exclusive to this format, which twinkle beautifully under holiday lights.
No holiday collection would be complete without a festive base set. Topps selects 200 subjects from its flagship edition, representing stars, rookies, and fan favorites, and gives them a seasonal makeover. Candy cane stripes dance through the design, with evergreen garlands wreathing borders and snowflakes gently dusting the card face. It’s all delightfully thematic without overshadowing the player’s photo, keeping it prime for display or grading.
Colorful parallels play on the holiday theme with Holiday Lights, Holiday Plaid, and Glitter Holiday motifs. While the glitter effect is entrancing, be cautious; the surface can be vulnerable to handling marks, so slipping them into sleeves should be your first post-rip priority. Excitingly, this year Chrome Holiday makes its sparkly debut, offering a shiny Gold variation that’s bound to dazzle collectors preferring a bit of sheen with their seasonal cards.
The holiday spirit of fun continues with short-printed photo variations. These gems pop in playful images or bring in holiday-flavored mishaps. If you suspect you’ve found one, the fine print—or rather, numeric code on the card back—may confirm your good fortune. Nostalgia also winds its way through this set with buyback cards; real older Topps cards cleverly inserted into packs, offering a treasure hunt thrill for collectors with a penchant for vintage.
Autographs and memorabilia cards sprinkle the checklist, albeit sparingly, adding a special gold star to your collection when found. Hitting one of these feels extra rewarding, framed in die-cut windows shaped like Christmas trees, stockings, or holiday hats, all showcasing the themed yuletide joy that’s sure to look striking on display. Just handle with care to keep those intricate edges and corners pristine.
Adding a crafty touch to the collection, ornament die-cuts follow in an established tradition. This year they’re shaped like a stack of presents, spreading cheer to collectors who delight in hanging them as ornaments or tacking them up for show during the festive season. Another die-cut set, Making the Nice List, highlights statistical leaders from the 2024 season, giving fans a holiday-themed way to capture seasonal talent highlights.
If you have your heart set on exclusive looks, stick with the formats that align with your preference. Holiday Lights are tied to Tins, Glitters to Mega, and the comprehensive flair of evergreen and plaid extras to Calendars. For cards with glitter surfaces, store away in soft sleeves immediately, and for those considering grading, use a microfiber cloth gently to minimize any micro-scratches.
While festive and whimsical, the excitement doesn’t end there. Advent Calendars make excellent wrapped gifts, presenting collectors with a neat and practical storage piece well-suited for novice hobbyists. Though do keep in mind: the Chrome Holiday cards come with their grading quirks, such as inspecting for centering and checking for roller lines.
As we eagerly anticipate broader release dates to be announced, these tasteful collections promise to deck the halls of retail stores, hobby shops, and online outlets, matching with previous Holiday product distributions as the season unfurls. Meanwhile, past years’ offerings might satisfy your festive craving and complement this year’s leaping forward into a jovial future for your collection.