TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

In the spirit of the holiday, we asked some of TV's hottest stars about their most memorable Christmas presents. For these celebs, it really is better to give than to receive ... though to receive is pretty cool too. -- By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

More Holiday TV

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TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Vanessa Anne Hudgens

('High School Musical 2')

"My guitar when I was 16. I asked my parents for something memorable, and they gave me a guitar."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Joey Fatone

('The Singing Bee')

"For years, my mom and dad constantly shuttled [my brother, sister and me] around, whenever we needed to go to work, in one car. So one year I got my brother an Acura, my mom a Cadillac and my sister a P.T. Cruiser. It's the greatest feeling to give back to people who helped you all the time."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Michelle Ryan

('Bionic Woman')

"It was probably a little necklace and earring set from Tiffany's my parents gave me for Christmas two years ago, when I was 21."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Regis Philbin

('Live With Regis and Kelly')

"Once I bought my wife a pair of earrings that required pierced ears. I remember her cold mocking laugh when she opened them, as if to say, 'He doesn't even know my ears.' I never, ever bought her jewelry again without her seeing, feeling and okaying it. I've got Christmas, then my wife's birthday Feb. 1, then Valentine's Day, then our anniversary March 1, so four big ones in a row. Even though she's not surprised, I'd rather have her love her gifts."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

John Stamos

('ER')

"The year I got a Tony the Tiger drum set. That was absolutely the best."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Kathryn Morris

('Cold Case')

"Last year, we gave the crew these handmade, limited-edition 'Cold Case' guitars that Gibson did for us individually. They took so much time to make, one by one, and they only made 100. They had the show logo across the whole guitar. Music is such a huge part of our show. We couldn't wait to give them out. You had to sign for them -- you had to be part of the crew. That was a cool time."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Sam Waterston

('Law and Order')

"A beautiful wooden antique chess set my wife gave me many, many years ago. It was made by Staunton, a 19th-century manufacturer of chess men. It's on display in our den."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Maura Tierney

('ER')

"I gave my parents this trip to Italy, a walking tour around Tuscany -- very first class. I was very excited about it."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Stone Cold Steve Austin

(WWE Wrestler)

"My brothers and sister [and I] went in on a rifle for our dad -- a Remington Model 700 -- after he was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, we didn't know whether he'd ever be able to go hunting again. It was a very special gift because he was able to beat cancer, three years ago now, and we have been out hunting together since then."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Gail O'Grady

('Boston Legal')

"I'm a huge Barbie fan. I had so many Barbies, instead of the traditional carrying cases, I got Barbie luggage. I know it sounds kind of strange, but I was very excited about that. I actually still have all of them."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Phylicia Rashad

('Psych')

"When I was in college, I opened a gift from my father and it was the most beautiful suede coat with a sumptuous fox collar. It was just beautiful. My mother and I had gone shopping some months before; I saw it and liked it so much, my mother ... just looked at me. Didn't say a word. I later found out she had gone to my father and said 'I'm going to get her this coat because she deserves it.' That's a very special Christmas memory. It was quite expensive for back then and not the normal fare for a college student. What really made it special was my parents holding their daughter in high regard."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Debbie Allen

(Choreographer and 'So You Think You Can Dance' judge)

"I remember the Christmas when Phylicia [Rashad, her sister] and I were struggling artists in New York. 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' -- we were determined to make it and we didn't want them to know how struggling we were. Somehow I scraped enough money together to buy [Phylicia] a pair of earrings. Then it turned out, she bought me a pair of earrings as well. I still have them."

TV Stars' Favorite Christmas or Holiday Gifts

Cat Deeley

('So You Think You Can Dance' host)

"Every little girl at some point wants a pony, but I couldn't actually ride, because of my terrible hay fever. This year I'm going to my parents' home town, Birmingham, 100 miles from London, and have Christmas there, which will be lovely, a big roast turkey and all that. And I'm going to take riding lessons. I quite fancy doing that. I'm hoping my hay fever won't bother me because it's the winter. It's my Christmas present to myself, and maybe it will be the most memorable."