As the end of 2025 approaches, there’s something festive brewing in the world of baseball card collecting—it’s the return of the 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball set. Much like a warm mug of hot cocoa on a chilly day, this annual offering from Topps brings cheer to collectors with its seasonal charm and nostalgic flair. With a release date as eagerly awaited as the first snowfall, the presale kicks off on September 22 at noon EST on Topps.com, and if past years are any indication, those interested might need agility matching that of their favorite outfielders to snag their share.
The Topps Holiday set continues its tradition of transforming the core designs from the flagship 2025 Topps Series 1, Series 2, and Update into a yuletide wonderland. What truly sets this release apart—aside from its nostalgic charm—is its emphasis on fun and collectibility, making it perfect for both seasoned collectors and newcomers looking to start a new holiday tradition.
Choosing how to dive into this festive offering can be a delightful dilemma, as Topps presents three distinct formats, each with its own unique attributes—Advent Calendars, Collector’s Tins, and Mega Boxes—all of which offer exclusive parallels to create an attractive collecting opportunity.
The Advent Calendar format brings the excitement of unwrapping one pack per day, allowing collectors to experience the joy of a countdown that’s better than any traditional chocolate treat. This format includes exclusive kicks like an Evergreen parallel pack and nostalgic buybacks. Meanwhile, the Collector’s Tins are perfect for those who prefer a one-and-done touch. These tins contain a single hefty pack encased in a charming reusable metal tin that doubles as nifty storage. As for the Mega Boxes, they’re the classic choice for collectors who enjoy the steady thrill of opening multiple packs, with the added bonus of format-exclusive glitter parallels.
The base set consists of 200 subjects selected from Topps’ flagship run, featuring stars, rookies, and popular names. This year, the cards are adorned with festive elements—candy cane stripes, evergreen garlands, string lights, and snowflakes—that add a seasonal flair without overwhelming the rich player photography. As borders glisten under holiday lights, the challenge for collectors will be resisting the temptation to try and hear sleigh bells jingle every time they flip through their collection.
Naturally, Topps Holiday is dressed in its Saturday best when it comes to parallels. Collectors will find seasonal favorites like Holiday Lights, Holiday Plaid, and Glitter Holiday parallels. Don’t overlook the brand-new Chrome Holiday introduction, boasting variations that cater to collectors with a penchant for the shiny and the scintillating. Though glimmer has its perches, its surface might be prone to handling marks, so savvy collectors know to whip out those card sleeves and gently tuck their new treasures away.
This year’s Topps Holiday also features short-printed photo variations and nostalgic buybacks. These are avenues to add an element of surprise, as collectors might spot fun deviations such as a player with holiday props—or a buyback card stamped for proof of authenticity. It’s like unwrapping the unexpected surprise element in the holiday eggnog recipe.
Even though Topps Holiday doesn’t focus on heavy hits like other sets, it surprises with the occasional autograph or memorabilia card. The rarity of these finds adds to their charm, let alone the whimsical frames hinting at holiday themes such as stockings and trees surrounding jersey swatches.
Die-cut inserts add to the festival spirit, with Ornament Die-Cuts making their grand return. This year, they mimic a stack of presents, allowing imaginative collectors to deck small trees or colorful December displays with their findings. The Making the Nice List insert features player statistical leaders from the 2024 season—giving collectors a shiny seasonal twist on their favorite breakout players.
In all this merriment, collectors can be strategic elves with a few handy tips—for instance, sticking to formats that house desired exclusives and delicately managing the glitter to preserve its glamor. Anyone dealing with short prints should focus on spotting unique details such as atypical backgrounds or outfit choices.
The presale date of September 22 at noon EST on Topps.com is the first marker to anticipate, while broader availability follows, likely a spirited mix of retail, online platforms, and hobby stores. Past editions of the set remain accessible for those who simply cannot wait to embark on these holiday-themed adventures.
Be it Advent Calendars, Collector’s Tins, or Mega Boxes, diving into the 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball set is an invitation for both enthusiastic collectors and curious first-timers to unwrap a season filled with nostalgia, color, and a touch of magic. So slide the gloves on, prepare to deck the halls, and rekindle the wonder of holiday card collecting, Topps-style.
