First of all, let me preface this by saying that I understand completely that the true meaning of Christmas does not involve BASEBALL (altho, I'm sure some of us might be able to argue that point ) But, I'm curious...as I am winding down with my Christmas decorating....I have to admit a good deal of it revolves around "baseball"....I was curious if "baseball" plays any role in your Christmas holidays??? For example....one of our Christmas trees (don't even ask how many trees I have in my house! ) is a "baseball tree", decorated in red, white and blue with strung popcorn and baseball ornaments. Also, we have a bunch of Santa's that are playing baseball that I put up on a shelf. In addition....My son always gets a set of Topps baseball cards every year under the tree. Started when he was a newborn...so we now have 20 year's worth. So...what about the rest of you? Does "baseball" play a part in any way? Or is it put on the backburner this time of year and buried midst the snow that is covering the ground?

Oh Luv, This is a fun question. I happen to know how many Christmas Trees you have in your house and that you've inspired me to add more this year too! You are the Christmas Tree Queen!

Baseball is always a part of our lives. I guess we don't have any specific baseball gift tradition other than there are ALWAYS baseball gifts of some sort (as well as softball and volleyball), equipment, books, socks, picture frames. That includes this year. Also, we have numerous baseball ornaments on our tree - including some baseball playin' santas!

I guess people that have a true love for something end up incorporating that into their daily lives which would include the wonderful celebration of Christmas.

Personally, I LOVE the idea of a Baseball Christmas tree. As I plan on adding another tree next year (actually already have the tree!), maybe......

luvbb - great topic!

Our family is a little more on the back-burner side, so I find myself a little envious of how you have integrated this greatest of games into your holiday surroundings. That is not to say that baseball is totally forgotten. My son will typically receive some type of baseball gift(s) for Christams from us and/or his grandparents. Last year, they purchased a large picture of Jacobs field and had my son's scoreboard picture (from when he batted at Jacobs field in hs) superimposed on the scorboard. This made it look like he was batting in front of 45,000 people. There were probably 2 or 3 thousand at the game when his image was actully on the scoreboard which is still a lot for a hs game.

This is the time of year he will also get things like a new glove, bat, batting gloves, and so forth. I love your baseball card tradition. Do you get him the entire set or just a few packs? Anyone out there love topps chewing gum? Oh the smell and the taste are to die for I still have about 600 cards from the early to mid-70's.

CD,

The entire set of cards each year. They take up the whole top shelves in his closet!

Regarding Christmas and baseball...I realize that I should be grateful that my son plays college ball...not only for the "obvious" reasons. BUT....it gives me more ideas for Christmas gifts, which seems to be harder each year he gets older. I always try to get him something that makes the "travelling" easier (long bus rides and long plane rides). This year he's getting a portable DVD player....and I got him some of those Rawlings leather items on that sight that Hokieone mentioned in the general forum. Altho I have to admit, hubby saw the duffel bag I got him and was drooling over it....I'm afraid the name on the gift might "magically" change come Christmas morning unless I keep a close eye on it! Without baseball, he wouldn't have nearly as much stuff under the tree the past few years . Also, it helps with gifts for hubby too....this year I got him a PSU baseball pull-over sweatshirt with my son's number embroidered on the sleeve. Actually....my husband got ME one too...but he doesn't know that yet!

luv - A new duffle bag - that's a good gift idea. May have to borrow that one for son's birthday a couple weeks after Christmas.

Just make sure if your husband finds out about that gift that he doesn't think that prevents him from having to shop and buy you a gift himself!

quote:

Originally posted by luvbb:
Actually....my husband got ME one too...but he doesn't know that yet!

I almost spit my Diet Pepsi out reading that!!!

To answer your question.....we don't have a baseball tree but do have some ornamnets. My wife isn't into it as much as some of the ladies here but hopefully that will change. There are a couple of baseball related presents though. Always seems to be something he needs.

Beezer,

Yes...Christmas morning can be quite amusing around here while opening presents. I'm always accusing my husband of "forgetting" things ...so it is VERY easy for me to slip a gift in for "me" under the tree and just watch the look of confusion and the "Gee, I forgot I bought THAT" going thru his brain! Of course, I always compliment him on his exquisite taste!

Yes, we a few ornaments for the tree that involve baseball. Also, the gift exchange with the families gets have them help out with some necessities like sliding shorts, batting gloves, wood bats, etc. Having a college kid opens up new gift ideas too with t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts and the like with the college logo on them. It helps make it seem like spring is not that far away.

Daddybags....spring ISN'T that far away! To me....Christmas and New Years are the benchmark of baseball being right around the corner! Of course, I say that as I had to slide down my driveway to the bus stop this morning due to the ice storm we got last night!

quote:

Originally posted by luvbb:
Beezer,

Yes...Christmas morning can be quite amusing around here while opening presents. I'm always accusing my husband of "forgetting" things ...so it is VERY easy for me to slip a gift in for "me" under the tree and just watch the look of confusion and the "Gee, I forgot I bought THAT" going thru his brain! Of course, I always compliment him on his exquisite taste!

I highly doubt my wife would fall for it since she's got every present itemized and bar coded but what the heck. It's worth a shot, right?

Beezer...."bar-coded"...okay now it is MY turn to spit diet coke out while reading your post!

quote:

Originally posted by luvbb:
Beezer...."bar-coded"...okay now it is MY turn to spit diet coke out while reading your post!

She's the polar opposite of me when it comes to Christmas. If it was up to me, I'd get the kids "whatever" without giving too much thought to how many presents they get or the amount spent per child. MY wife, bless her heart, tries to make sure that each child has an equal number of gifts AND the total dollar value is relatively equivalent. Not only that but Santa seems to wrap each kid's gifts in matching paper so she can keep track of who's is who's. And the presents don't go under the tree till Christmas eve.

My son's biggest gift of the season is getting to go to a baseball camp. He loves seeing different parts of the country. This year he gets to see Michigan. Going to Christmas camps has become a tradition for my family, not only at Christmas. Our vacations are all baseball vacations. Merry Christmas everyone!

Tobette,

Baseball camps as Christmas Gifts now THAT is a good idea!

I understand COMPLETELY about the baseball trips/family vacation combo...as we've done that for years ourselves! Actually, I don't think I'd have it any other way even if given the choice!

Funny you mention tha but my son asked if this could be his gift in a couple years....

Baseball camp

I think baseball camps are a wonderful gift. My son's dad gave him that for Christmas two or three times - especially if you're someone that doesn't like shopping - it's a win/win!

Even gift certificates for pitching or hitting lessons at your favorite baseball school are a great idea. My son's Godfather has done that for the last few years.

luvbb,

Just had a question. When you buy the cards as a set, do you still get the gum? You can still smell the gum on my cards from the very early 70's I love that stuff. Right up there with Bazooka Joe's. Certain things in life cannot be improved

Dan..no gum in the complete sets...bummer!

Just have to throw in a complete UNRELATED comment....I'm SO UPSET JOHNNY IS A YANKEE!! Guess I'm going to have to draw a Yankee uni on that life-sized Johnny cut-out up in my daughter's bedroom! There is no joy in mudville today (or in our house )