Editor’s note: We asked readers and staff to share their favorite Christmas memories. Today, “My Biggest Christmas Flop”: Lessons learned, wishes unfulfilled and jerky, vanished.

Power to give — and take away

Growing up with seven siblings, Christmas was big. Really big. Much better than a birthday. Santa would bring all those presents mom and dad couldn’t afford.

The days leading up to Christmas passed slowly. So did Christmas Eve. Who can sleep with what was in store the next morning?

One year, I was about 8, my expectations grew to the point that nothing could satisfy me. On Christmas morning my big present was a tape recorder. I was not pleased.

A tape recorder? I thought as I unwrapped. “What am I going to do with that? Why did I get a tape recorder?”

My face said it all. I kept up my sulking (I think I used to be good at sulking), until my mother had enough. She snatched the tape recorder away and said, “Bonnie, if it’s not good enough for you, it’s too good for you.”

Suddenly I wanted the tape recorder. And it was gone!

Mom let me go without the big present for much of the day, then gave it back to me after I had learned the lesson of appreciation.

I went to bed Christmas night, happily, the owner of a new tape recorder.

— Bonnie Washuk, staff writer

No robo wars here

Biggest Christmas regret: Never got the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots OR the Robot Commando. (OK, I was into violent robots. And my parents were apparently closet Quaker pacifists.)

— Mark Mogensen, news editor

Sew long ago

When I was about 8 years old, back in the ’50s, we lived in a large apartment. Back then, there was no central heating, and we had one stove in the middle of the apartment. In the winter we would close off one room as we didn’t really need it, other than for storing things.

One day (near Christmastime) my mom sent me to this room to get something, and while I was there, I noticed something that was covered with a blanket. For some reason I did not peek at it, but I thought it was a sewing machine for my mom and I was so excited for her.

Come Christmas morning, I was looking for the sewing machine, but didn’t see it. What was there was a desk and a chair for me. I was rather disappointed, but of course I feigned being happy. I still have the desk and chair.

— Janice McDonald, Lewiston

Chilly reception

The very first Christmas I can remember was when I was about 4. I received a doll carriage. I immediately tore the wheels and rods off, and put them on a cardboard box to pull my kitten in. That was the only new item I ever received for Christmas. After that episode, I received used items, that is if I got anything at all.

Another Christmas, my father gave me $2 to buy gifts. I spent it all on a pair of wool socks for the hired hand. The poor man was always cold. My father was mad and took them away from him, saying he gave me the $2 to buy him something!

— Mary Jane Newell, Oxford

A cautionary tail

One Christmas I had bought my father beef jerky and I was so excited for him to open it. It was all wrapped and under the tree. We went to my aunt’s on Christmas Eve and when we returned home, we found wrapping paper throughout the house — our dog, Sam, had found the beef jerky under the tree and ate it. I was so upset because I had spent my own money buying it for my dad. We did all laugh about it and tell that story often.

— Tracy Boulet, Lisbon

Coming tomorrow: Those special visits, gifts and moments.