My favorite product that is released on an annual basis is Topps Allen & Ginter. There are so many things that I enjoy about the set: the sketches, non-sport inclusions, the card stock (perfect for TTMs), the framed relics/autos (great for grading) and the chase to put together a complete set. I think that when it comes to major modern day purchases, I'm going to limit myself to Topps Allen & Ginter. I purchased WAY too much 2012 Topps Series 1 this year and have been stuck with a lot of base sets that I just can't seem to trade/sell. I like the Gypsy Queen, but not enough to buy a ton. I think I'll pick and choose Red Sox cards and other cool, unique cards from different modern sets, rather than buy boxes or bulk of any particular release.
My return to collecting was the desire to get graded BGS 9.5 copies of cards that I could never afford when I was younger (80's and 90's cards to be specific). Ripken RC, Boggs RC, Mattingly RC, etc. were all on my list but I moved away from it a bit. I think I'm going to try to refocus my efforts on getting some of those "key" cards that should be a part of every baseball fan's collection.
Lastly, I have been really interested in vintage cards lately and I think trying to find some of the star player vintage cards in BVG 8.5 grades (the proxy for "high raw value" in Beckett) has some appeal to me. I have added a few cool ones lately and have a few below BVG 8.5 that I might look to upgrade at some point.
That's it! That's all I'm collecting. I swear. Well, cards of Red Sox players too. Maybe a few packs of stuff here and there. I guess I can't help it....I love Sports Cards!!!