2025 Topps Holiday Baseball checklist and product guide

• Posted: September 19, 2025, 2:53 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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As the year winds down, Topps rolls out its annual card set that feels like hot cocoa for the hobby. 2025 Topps Holiday Baseball takes the core designs from 2025 Topps Series 1, Series 2, and Update, then wraps them in seasonal touches. It is lighthearted, easy to rip with friends or family, and familiar enough that set builders can jump in quickly. A presale is slated for September 22 at 12 p.m. EST on Topps.com, which tends to move fast once the link goes live.


Formats and what makes each one different


You will see three main ways to buy the product. Advent Calendars, Collector’s Tins, and Mega Boxes. Each format carries its own exclusive parallels, so picking a lane can help you build a cleaner rainbow.

• Advent Calendar: twenty doors to open, one pack per day if you like the countdown experience. It also includes a few extras like an Evergreen parallel pack and a pair of buybacks, which makes it an easy gift.
• Collector’s Tin: a single, chunky pack stuffed with cards, good for a one-and-done rip that leaves you with a reusable metal tin for storage.
• Mega Box: the classic at-home rip with ten packs inside, steady pace, and format-exclusive glitter parallels that look great under holiday lights.

Base checklist and seasonal design


The base set selects 200 subjects from the flagship run, which means stars, rookies, and popular names that already have strong photography. Borders and accents get a festive overhaul. Candy cane stripes curl through the design, evergreen garland and string lights weave around the frame, and snowflake patterns drift across the card face. It all reads seasonal without drowning the player photo, which is important for display and for grading.


Parallels you can expect


Topps Holiday stays on theme with color and pattern. Core seasonal parallels include Holiday Lights, Holiday Plaid, and Glitter Holiday. Glitter tends to shimmer nicely in person, though the surface can pick up handling marks, so sleeves first is a good habit. New this year, Chrome Holiday arrives for the first time with a Gold variation among others. Chrome stock changes the feel in hand and gives collectors who prefer a shinier finish something to chase within a product that is usually paper based.


Short prints and nostalgic buybacks


Short-printed photo variations return. These often swap in playful images or subtle holiday cues. If you think you spotted one, check the small code on the card back or keep a quick photo guide on your phone while you sort. Topps also announced nostalgic buyback cards. These are genuine older Topps cards dropped back into packs and usually stamped to show their inclusion. They add a small treasure-hunt layer, especially if you collect certain eras.


Autographs and memorabilia, with realistic expectations


Topps Holiday is not built as a hit-heavy product. Autographs are in the checklist, although they are tough pulls, which is why landing one can feel special. Memorabilia cards follow the same pattern. When you do hit one, the theme shows up in the die-cut window. Think stockings, holiday hats, or tree shapes framing the jersey swatch. Die-cuts look great on display, just take extra care with edges and corners when you sleeve and top load.


Insert lines that feel like decorations


Ornament die-cuts are back and have become part of the ritual with this release. This year’s ornaments are shaped like a stack of presents. Some collectors actually hang them on a small tree or tack them onto cork boards during December. A second die-cut set called Making the Nice List highlights statistical leaders from the 2024 season. That checklist should lean toward headliners and breakout players, which makes it a simple way to add a seasonal version of your favorites.


Tips for builders, breakers, and gift givers

• If you love a specific look, stick with the format that carries its exclusives. Tins for Holiday Lights, Mega for Glitter, Calendar for the evergreen and plaid extras.
• Glitter surfaces appreciate soft sleeves right away. A microfiber cloth can lift dust before grading, but go lightly to avoid micro-scratches.
• Short prints hide in plain sight. Scan photos for props, wardrobe changes, or unusual backgrounds, then check the back code if you are unsure.
• Tins and Calendars wrap well and store neatly, which is handy if you are gifting to newer collectors.
• Chrome Holiday cards may grade differently than paper. Inspect centering under strong light and flip to check for roller lines before you decide to submit.

Key dates and availability


Presale begins September 22 at 12 p.m. EST on Topps.com. Broader release timing is still to be announced. In recent years, Holiday products have reached a mix of retail stores, hobby shops, and online outlets as the season progresses.


Configuration and contents


Cards per pack

• Mega Box 10
• Collector’s Tin 59
• Advent Calendar 10

Packs per box

• Mega Box 10
• Collector’s Tin 1
• Advent Calendar 20

Boxes per case

• To be announced

Set size

• 200 cards pulled from 2025 Topps flagship

Release date

• To be announced

Expected contents by format


Mega Box

• Image Variations 3
• Glitter Parallels 6

Collector’s Tin

• Holiday Lights Parallels 6

Advent Calendar

• 2025 Topps Holiday packs 20
• Past Year Topps Holiday pack 1
• Evergreen Parallel pack, three cards 1
• Topps Holiday Buybacks 2
• Plaid Parallels 20

If you want the holiday look while you wait for the new drop, past years are usually easy to find through hobby shops and large marketplaces, and you can target the exact format you prefer, from Mega Boxes to Tins to full Advent Calendars.

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