Forms Data Controls :: Use Default Date In Calendar Control?

I have created a form where the user selects a date from an asp.net calendar control. I would like it default to 12/25/2010 if no date is selected, partially to prevent a stack overflow.

This is the code of the calendar control

<InsertItemTemplate>
<asp:calendar id="Calendar1" runat="server" SelectedDate='<%# Bind("startDate") %>'>
</asp:calendar>
</InsertItemTemplate>

And this is what I added to the insert parameter. I've tried all different versions of the date including adding a time component but no joy.

<asp:parameter Name="startDate" Type="DateTime" DefaultValue="12/25/2010" />

This is the error:

SqlDateTime overflow. Must be between 1/1/1753 12:00:00 AM and 12/31/9999 11:59:59 PM.

Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code.

Exception Details: System.Data.SqlTypes.SqlTypeException: SqlDateTime overflow. Must be between 1/1/1753 12:00:00 AM and 12/31/9999 11:59:59 PM.