11 Things Sports Card Collectors Can Do While They’re Stuck at Home

It’s amazing how quickly things change. For the next while, “normal” involves a lot of hanging out at home and away from friends. Both are important to do, even if it’s not ideal. And while there’s a lot of uncertainty and stress that comes with this, it’s important to find ways to relax and feel good. Your sports card collection can be a great place to find some of that.

Now is a perfect time to conquer some of those should-do or want-to-do collecting things that have long be humming in the back of your head but you’ve never had time to do it.

Here are some things to consider in the weeks ahead to get you closer to your collection and bring a little bit of calm when it’s needed most.

1. Clear Your Desk

For many of us, it’s a running gag. The stacks that pile up on our desks are one of the signs of many card collectors. They start out innocently enough with good intentions of being filed away. But then another envelope arrives followed by three more. Pretty soon, the single stack has become several, enveloping your desk like the vines in the Wrigley outfield.

Well, here’s your chance.

Sort those stacks. Break them down into the sets, players, teams you collect. Put them in boxes. Slide them into pages. Get that desk cleared.

The bigger challenge might be to see how long you can keep it clean. Just remember, it starts with one small stack.

2. Get Organized

Even with a cleared desk, your collection might still be in disarray. Getting things organized in a way that you know what you have and where to find it can be daunting and time consuming. But once you get your collection to this state, it’s so much easier to enjoy.

When I go to get things organized, it usually means making several smaller messes that add up to one giant one. To a non-collector, it may look like madness. For some, it might even cause a bit of panic. Just remind them that it’s temporary and that when you’re done, things will be better than ever.

There’s no one way to get your collection organized. You might do it by set, team, player or year. You might keep inserts separate from base cards, vintage far away from modern stuff. The end goal should be the same, though: have it tidy and know where to find what you’re looking for.

3. Continue to Support Card Shop Owners and Dealers

These are challenging times. With things changing so rapidly, it’s hard right now to know what next week will look like let alone a few months down the road or next year.

Local card shops and online breakers are cornerstones in the collecting world. They’re small business owners with families and lives like you. When you support them, you’re not only supporting people that you (hopefully) like, but you’re putting money right back into your community.

But when you’re stuck at home, it’s kind of hard to make it to the card shop.

Longtime dealers know how to adjust. Those that are able to stay open are making small changes in stores, such as adjusting hours. Thanks to the wonders of technology, many are also able to arrange pick-up outside the store or shipping. Some are even dropping things off at peoples’ homes.

The easiest thing to do would be to call your local shop. See what they can do to help you and how you can help them. And if there’s nothing that you’re overly interested in a the moment, consider buying a gift card or gift certificates that you can use in the future.

4. Check Out Some Online Breaks

Sports cards and the online realm have been evolving alongside each other for more than 20 years. One of the biggest evolutions in the past decade has been online breaks. Yes, they’re a place to get cards. But, just as important in times like these, they offer a social outlet. Most have chat rooms and other ways of conversing with other collectors.

Supporting breakers is another way of supporting small businesses. They might not be in your neck of the woods, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less important.

5. Make or Update Your Want Lists and Trade Lists

So you have things organized. Your card area is clear. What next? How about cataloging what you’ve got, making lists for what you’re looking for and extras you might be willing to part with.

These can help you in a couple of ways. First, it makes you more organized. If you have a precise list of cards missing from your collection, you’re not going to ending up buying the same card twice. Or even three times like I recently did with a 2019 Stadium Club Vladimir Guerrero (Sr.) because I didn’t properly mark it off my list.

With a trade list, you can start wheeling and dealing, getting some extra cash or trading with others to fill in some gaps — from your want list.

You may want to consider a third list of inventory from your personal collection. It may be more permanent but it could come in handy for things like insurance if that’s part of your policy. And it’s just good to have an itemized list of what you do have.

6. Flip Through a Binder

I know myself, I spend so much time “collecting” that I don’t take the time to really enjoy it. Of course, I love the thrill of busting packs, ripping into mail and seeing a gem inside of a display case. I also find organizing to be therapeutic to put my cards in numerical order.

So where’s the time to actually look at what I’ve got?

If you don’t already, make a habit of pulling a binder out and flipping through it. Pull a box of the shelf and shuffle through a set. Take some time to reconnect with what you have. Look for the little things in the photos, admire (or question) the design choices, read the bios on the back.

7. Reassess Your Collection

Let’s get a little serious. When was the last time you asked yourself some big questions about your collection and collecting habits? Are you enjoying doing what you’re doing? Is there anything you’d do differently to enjoy it more?

Any time is a good time to do this.

It’s not easy and it could result in some big changes in how you go about collecting, what you focus on and what you keep. But if it makes collecting more enjoyable and fun, then it’s worth it.

Personally, over the last couple of years I’ve started feeling like I’ve just got too much stuff. I’ve been tightening my focus for years but I still end up with stacks and boxes of stuff that kept my interest for a short time but now it’s just taking up space. It’s time to get those cards into the hands of someone who will enjoy them more than me.

But because I’m more aware of that now, I’m finding that I’m spending more of my collecting money on the things I really do enjoy. That means more “good stuff” for my collection and fewer boxes of just “stuff” in the card closet (and its several overflow areas).

8. Show Off What You’ve Got

If you have an awesome collection, why not show it off? Hop on social media like Instagram or Twitter. It’s pretty easy to set up a basic website. Get that collection out there and let others know what you’ve got and why your chasing it.

It doesn’t have to be online, either. It can be as simple as pulling out a box or binder and sharing it with your kids and, possibly, significant other. Tell them stories about how you searched for years for a card before finding it in a dime box. Let them know why something holds a lot of meaning. Ask them what cards and designs they like.

No matter the size or value, collections are worth sharing.

9. Crafts with Cards

Got a creative side? Maybe someone who sleeps down the hall does. Apply it to your card collection. Re-purpose some extra cards into something new. Make collages. Use them as a photography backdrop. Cut out the athletes and start making puppet shows. Write amusing captions on them. Draw weird things in the background. Build a massive card house that takes up an entire room.

This can also be a fun way to keep kids occupied and do something together as a family. Even if they’re not interested in sports cards, bring out the sparkles and you’ll have their attention for a while.

Be creative. Just remember that once you draw a mustache on Mike Trout, there’s no going back for that card.

10. Become a Creator

Getting creative with your collection is more than an afternoon arts and crafts session. In today’s digital world, there are so many ways you can share your hobby. You can create content. Start a website. Record a podcast. Make some videos. Write a book. The possibilities are vast.

Everyone has a unique voice and perspective. That’s what makes content so interesting. Every medium has its own storytelling forms and audiences. Pick the one (or multiples) that intrigue you most and get going.

Not only will you immerse yourself in collecting in a new way, but you’ll learn and develop some new skills along the way.

11. Stay In Touch

Being at home a lot more can be draining and stressful. We’re wired for contact — even if it’s in small doses. It’s very important in times like these to maintain some form of contact. It might not be as fun as a Sunday gathering to watch the game, but there are lots of digital options.

Text a collecting friend. Hop onto social media. Leave happy notes on YouTube videos. Check in and see how they’re doing and be open to others doing the same for you.

Right now, things aren’t easy. But they’ll get better. Being there for each other will help make it through and transition back to normal life.

How are you finding comfort in your collection right now?