Holiday treat for Phillies fans: Photo with the trophy

In past years, when Caroline Duca of South Philadelphia suggested a Christmas card with a family photograph, daughters Carolyn and Maria rolled their eyes.

"It was embarrassing," said Carolyn, 16, who added that she, like every teenage girl in America, never saw the pictures as flattering.

But this year, the girls ignored the ghosts of Christmas cards past and gleefully embraced the idea, after succumbing to something more powerful than teenage self-consciousness: Phillies fever.

The Ducas were among thousands of people who descended upon Citizens Bank Park this weekend to be photographed with the World Series trophy and the Phillie Phanatic, who was dressed as "Phanta Claus."

Like many people interviewed at the park, the Ducas will wish happy holidays to friends and relatives with a glossy photo of their family embracing the coveted Commissioner's Trophy.

"I've pretty much been a fan since I was born," said Maria Duca, 14.

Caroline Duca said she was especially glad her children got such a nice baseball-related Christmas moment.

"I remember the 1980 World Series," she said. "It's so nice to be able to share this with them."

On Saturday, more than 5,000 people came to see the two-foot tall Tiffany & Co. trophy, including two guys who camped out overnight hoping to be the first to be photographed with the sterling silver prize.

No one had the heart to tell them that many fans have been photographed with the trophy since Oct. 29, when the Phils ended a 28-year title drought by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in Game 5 of the World Series.

Although the turnout was less than the typical 43,000- person crowd, the gift shop sold as much merchandise Saturday as it does during regular games.

Yesterday morning, hundreds more waited in line to be photographed next to the trophy. Most just handed their cameras to Phillies ball girl Laura Litzenberger from Kintnersville, who by the end of the day had become something of an expert on every variety of point-and-shoot camera.

"Now I know which camera I'm going to buy," she said.

Fans could also choose a professional photographer, who gave them instructions for how to download the photos the next day, at a cost.

Chip Schindler of Medford Lakes, N.J., works in printing, so he's made an art of the holiday card adorned with a family photo.

One year his family used a shot snapped in Ecuador.

Last year, it was the Eiffel Tower lit up at night like a giant steel Christmas tree.

"The Eiffel Tower was good, but this one, this one is the best," said Schindler, as daughters Annie, 17, and Catherine, 15, and son Andrew 12, nodded in agreement.

One level below, children waited to perch atop the knee of Phanta Claus and ask for another championship.

Tina Attryde of Newtown said her family wanted to send a special message this holiday season. They're planning a card with a photo of her three boys - Michael, 12, Ryan, 9, and Ethan, 6 - clinging to the Phanatic.

"We have a lot of Mets fans in our neighborhood, so we're rubbing it in a little," she said.

After an hour in line, their enthusiasm was undiminished. Ryan said seeing the Phanatic dressed as Santa Claus rated much higher than seeing plain old Santa.

"Santa comes every year," he said.