Baseball Cards for a Baby Girl?

Updated on November 28, 2012
C.L. asks from Saint Paul, MN
7 answers

There is a long background to the question, but the main question is what do you think of a complete set of 2012 baseball cards as a gift for an infant girl? After 9 years of trying to have a family through various means, my brother and his wife adopted a newborn girl in October. We have boys and this is their first and only cousin on my side. My husband has a tradition of buying newborn boys a complete set of baseball cards from their birth year as a historical commemoration and keepsake. He is also a bit of a sports fanatic. We are thinking of doing the same thing for my niece. Crazy or good idea?

Here's a little more background info. I thought each of my boys could give their new cousin a gift that she (later) and her parents could associate with them and each boy could write a little note welcoming her to the family. My younger son likes hedgehogs (I don't know why) and he loves to read. We have a toy hedgehog and some books for him to give her. My older son is a sports fanatic like my husband and baseball is his favorite sport. The baseball cards would be from him. As a side note and not necessarily a big part of the equation, the baby's birth mom, with whom my brother and SIL have a relationship, is a huge baseball fan. My SIL took her to an MLB game when she was about six months pregnant with the baby. My brother also has a very good friend who works for the MN Twins and gets him good seats so there may be baseball in this baby's future. Thoughts?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I forgot to add that my husband has a brand new niece too and she did receive a complete set of 2012 baseball cards from him. So he has expanded his tradition to girls at least once so far. That baby's aunt was consulted and thought it was a great idea. Baby's dad is a baseball fan in that case.

Baseball cards it is for the new niece, although I think they will be from both my husband and my older son. I am usually all about not sticking to gender stereotypes and was all on board with this until I got a few negative comments, which is what prompted my post. My boys painted their nails when they were little and had toy dolls and kitchens, etc. They are "all boy" now, but I never tried to stereotype or limit them. My youngest had a Care Bear-themed birthday party at age 5 with all female guests! Anyhow, thanks ladies!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think the tradition of giving the baby a set of baseball cards from the year they were born is a great idea - regardless of if it's boy or girl! I'm all for gender-bending stereotypes because they only end up restricting something that was probably meant to be. In this case it sounds like this little girl will grow up to be a baseball fan, and will appreciate the cards someday. If not perhaps she will have her own child someday that will appreciate the cards.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Savannah on

I think it is great, especially since it is a family tradition!

3 moms found this helpful

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

I think this is a fantastic idea! We have collected a number of things from our kids' birth years that they can look back on when they are older. A full set of baseball cards from their birth year would be very cool, boy or girl.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I think it is a wonderful sweet idea. So nice to have a family tradition that also is relevent to her biological family. Why not do it?

I also think it is lovely to have your boys to write a unique note. Why not let them pick out a more practical gift from each of them like a hedgehog t-shirt or a team onsie. Books are always a great idea too.

That way, the sentimental cards from you and the new parents still get a more practical gift that is special from the kids.

PS - I am a little appalled this is a "girl" issue. I love baseball!! And it's from her uncle for when she is an adult.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

Go for it. Great idea. Someday she will understand the significance to that gift and will be touched in a very special way.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think it's a great idea. If your only hesitation is because it's a girl, then absolutely go for it. I love baseball and collected cards as a kid. It is obviously a gift that means something to your family and is a tradition - don't leave the new niece out of it just because she's a girl. Congrats to your brother!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Omaha on

To be honest I'd smile and thank you and think huh? I'm not a sports person though. But I'd personally throw that in a box and give it to my daughter when I came across it again and let her decide what to do with them in the future.

But again I'm not a sports person and see no value in sports cards.

I'd look at if these are something that household would personally value so they'd teach her to value. Are they ok with collecting? Some people hate clutter and getting them something that would have no place and just sit around would be an annoying inconvenience to them that might get thrown out. Like does anyone already collect cards like dad? Are they long time baseball fanatics that would teach this child to be one too? If the answer is yes it's pry not a bad idea.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions