The Origins Of A Cardboard Addict:Merry Christmas!

Christmas taught me a lot when I was growing up.

It taught me you don't need a lot to be happy.

It also taught me to take care of my stuff.

And it taught me to appreciate the small things.

Every year when I was a kid, it was the same ole, same ole story at Christmas, a pair of socks or underwear, a notebook since I liked to write and then maybe a toy I wanted or at least an off brand of it. You know the kind of stuff you would appreciate as an adult.

No big video game machines. No bikes. No Ghostbusters firehouse. No TMNT sewer.

So I learned to appreciate what I did get, use it to it's best ability and treat it well. I didn't run over my toys with my bike. I didn't tie a rocket to them like Sid from Toy Story.  I didn't feed them to my dogs like my neighbors kids. I played with them normally, gave them normal play wear and stored them nicely.

That has actually carried over to today with my card collecting. I don't have the vintage Mantle rookies. The big time prospect autographs. The Hall Of Fame patch card autos that are low numbered. I have what I have and I appreciate every piece of cardboard like it's as valuable as those things. Big or small like I said.

Like this Giants Pro Set Christmas card I got from @card_a_holic. This card isn't worth a whole lot, but to me it is. It was an extra in our trade from awhile back and it was something I hadn't seen and needed for my Giants PC. I waited this long to show it off and held back.

I didn't get much into Pro Set when I was a kid collecting mostly because it was from older sets before I joined the hobby. But, later in my teens I did grab some cards and learned to enjoy everything Pro Set had to offer. Especially it's oddball and rare error cards.

I don't expect anything under the tree this year, it's something I have become accustomed to as an adult, but what I do expect is to have family time and that's something no gift can replace.

I hope everyone out there reading this has a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday. However you celebrate it. Hopefully you all will find something under the tree and treasure it whether it's big or small. Take time today with family or friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. Grab that cup of eggnog and sip it and simply feel good about it. Give time or gifts to those less fortunate. Enjoy the food and all else that the holidays bring.

And finally, Happy Birthday Jesus!