News

Holiday season in the hobby usually means two things. Cooler weather and a fresh batch of Topps Holiday cards that turn flagship designs into something a little more cheerful. The 2025 edition keeps that tradition going with snow, lights, candy cane accents, and a few new twists that give set builders and casual rippers plenty to chase. It mirrors 2025 Topps Series 1, Series 2, and Update, then dresses those looks for December. A presale is set for September 22 at 12 p.m. EST on Topps.com, which gives collectors a clear starting line.

Formats and exclusives

Topps is spreading the holiday spirit across a few different packages. You will see an Advent Calendar, Collector’s Tins, and Mega Boxes. Each format has its own exclusive parallel mix, which makes the product feel a bit like a choose your own adventure. Calendars are fun for families or office desks since you can open a window a day. Tins are an easy gift that doubles as storage. Mega Boxes are the rip-and-sort option for people who want a steady flow of packs in one sitting.

Checklist overview

The base checklist pulls 200 subjects from the year’s flagship run. Think headliner rookies, established stars, and fan favorites. Design elements that normally live in the borders or accents are reimagined with candy canes, evergreen garland, and strings of lights. Snowflake patterns frame player photos, which gives even a simple base card some display appeal during the season. For set builders, two hundred cards is a friendly target that can be finished without feeling endless.

Parallels and the first Chrome Holiday

Color is part of the fun here. Holiday Lights, Holiday Plaid, and Glitter Holiday parallels make up the core seasonal rainbow. Glitter cards tend to look great under tree lights, though they sometimes require a soft sleeve sooner rather than later to keep surfaces clean. New for 2025, Topps is introducing Chrome Holiday variations, including a Gold version. Chrome stock changes the feel in hand and adds a premium shine to a brand that is usually paper based. Team and player collectors who color match may find that Plaid and Lights play surprisingly well with certain uniforms.

Short prints and buybacks

Short-printed photo variations return, which means you will want to slow down when you sort. Look for visual cues like holiday props, alternate images, or small design tells, then check back codes if you are on the fence. Topps also noted that nostalgic buyback cards are part of the product. Buybacks drop older Topps cards back into packs, usually stamped or marked to show they were placed there intentionally, and they add a little treasure hunt feel when you hit one of your childhood favorites.

Autographs and memorabilia

Topps Holiday is not positioned as a premium autograph product, so signatures are present but tough. That scarcity can make any auto feel like a win. Memorabilia cards also have long odds, and the design leans into the theme with jersey swatches framed by die-cut shapes like stockings, holiday hats, and trees. If you grade or display hits, be gentle with the edges around those cutouts since die-cuts can pick up wear faster than straight borders.

Die-cut inserts

The Ornament insert line is a tradition by now. For 2025, ornaments are shaped like a stack of presents. Some collectors actually hang these on mini trees or thread ribbon through a top punch, and that little ritual has become part of the product’s charm. Another die-cut theme called Making the Nice List highlights statistical leaders from the 2024 season. That checklist tends to skew toward stars and breakout names, which gives player collectors a clean way to grab a seasonal card of their favorite headliners.

Practical collecting notes

Holiday cards are fun to display. If you rotate your collection seasonally, consider penny sleeves for glitter parallels first, then top loaders for any die-cuts to protect the corners. If you plan to gift packs, Tins and Calendars tend to be the easiest to wrap or drop into stockings. For team builders, check which format carries the exclusive parallel you like most, then stick to that route to keep a consistent look in your binder. If you chase short prints, build a small image guide or keep back code notes in your phone so you can sort quickly.

Key dates and availability

Presale begins September 22 at 12 p.m. EST on Topps.com. Additional release details are still to be announced. Historically, Holiday has also shown up through retail channels and online shops once the season kicks in, so keep an eye on your preferred sources.

Product facts at a glance

Cards per pack
Mega Box 10
Tin 59
Calendar 10

Packs per box
Mega Box 10
Tin 1
Calendar 20

Boxes per case
To be announced

Set size
200 cards

Release date
To be announced

What to expect in a Mega Box
Image Variations 3
Glitter Parallels 6

What to expect in a Tin
Holiday Lights Parallels 6

What to expect in an Advent Calendar
2025 Topps Holiday Packs 20
Past Year Topps Holiday Packs 1
Evergreen Parallel Pack 1 pack, 3 cards
Topps Holiday Buybacks 2
Plaid Parallels 20

Where to look if you are shopping now

If you want the holiday vibe early, you can hunt previous years while you wait. Past releases are usually available through hobby shops, trusted online retailers, and large marketplaces, and you can target the exact format you prefer, including base variations, Mega Boxes, Tins, and Advent Calendars.

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