What do Christmas memories say about a person? We asked some of the stars to share their memorable Christmases past, and got stories ranging from funny to charming to poignant.

For instance:

Julia Louis-Dreyfus said that her worst Christmas was when "I got into the closet where my mother had hidden the gifts, still unwrapped. I looked at them all and then, when Christmas came, had absolutely no fun. Nothing was a surprise. It was awful." On the other hand, "My favorite Christmas has the one when I received a Madame Alexander baby doll. I had been wanting one for so very long and I played with it for years and years and years, until 12 or 13."

Ray Romano told us that childhood Christmases back in Queens, New York, came to mind when he thought of holidays past — "and a blizzard, walking down and going to church. Traditionally, we'd go to midnight mass." It's very different now, celebrating the holiday in warm L.A., he acknowledges. "It's kind of odd."

Dance great Debbie Allen remembers cold New York Christmases, when she and sister Phylicia Rashad lived together as they tried to get their careers going. "We had a can of tuna fish between us and our cat — forget even thinking about a turkey. We promised each other we wouldn't worry about Christmas gifts. We just wanted our parents to think we were doing well. I remember us being in a phone booth, telling tales to our dad — 'We're having the best time' — because we were determined to make it and we didn't want them to know how struggling we were, and to say, 'Come home.' Anyway, I don't know how I did it, but somehow I scraped enough money together to buy her a pair of earrings. Then it turned out, she bought me a pair of earrings as well. I still have them."

"My parents split up when I was 2," recalled Oscar-winner Timothy Hutton. "We grew up in Boston, and for a lot of Christmases my dad would come to Boston and be with us. I remember one where he sent us — my sister, and who is11 months older, and I — he sent us tickets to fly by ourselves to Los Angeles, where he picked us up and brought us to the Mammoth ski area. He had rented a house there, and had ski equipment for us. I think we stayed for a couple of weeks and had an amazing time. He had just recently remarried, and we got to know his new wife. She made the trip amazing. Being with our dad was incredible."

As Christmas approaches, "Criminal Minds" star Thomas Gibson is reminded that it's a time to be patient with children. He recalls the year he was a youngster, and "I knocked down the Christmas tree — and to make things worse, I hollered 'Timber!' That really taxed my father's patience. Thinking back to that moment makes me realize how much parents have to contend with." The "Criminal Minds" star says his grandfather used to tell him, 'If you're not a good boy, you'll get switches from Santa.''

Jeffrey Donovan of "Burn Notice" and "Fargo" fame grew up on welfare, one of three sons of a single mother. He recalled his mom rewrapping old gifts she'd given them before. He explained, "Christmas was hard, growing up. Food stamps don't buy presents. But it made me who I am — I don't take anything for granted. Not only do I have a job I love but I get to be successful at it.

"The biggest lesson I learned," he added, "was to give back."

Indeed, Donovan is among the many famous names who have long lists of charitable endeavors and special appearances — from hospitals to battle zones — to their credit.

Photo credit: Kirt Edblom