It’s the Thought that Counts

‘Tis the season! Honestly? I wish Christmas were more like Thanksgiving — all about the gathering of loved ones, watching the Macy’s parade, catching a football game, and eating the traditional dinner. I especially like that the “giving” in Thanksgiving is simply giving “thanks” for blessings and “stuff” that we already have.

I’d like to believe that my family has personally kept the economy going even when times were tough. There have been so many Christmases and so much stuff – some items still in use after 25 years (my Braun coffee bean grinder), but many quickly forgotten.

I do remember my first Christmas as a newlywed – I was a mere 19 years old and had very little money. I was taking time off from school, working as a Ho Jo waitress so I could support my husband as he finished his degree. Somehow he found the money to buy me a proper kitchen knife and a Le Creuset skillet. I was speechless and for those who know me, that was really something! I wanted to feel grateful, but at the same time, I had secretly hoped for something that was personal and truly just for me.

As a child, I do recall repeatedly requesting a pony – nothing more, nothing less. I got the pony all right. You betcha! We named him Wyo. I got a silly toy pony mounted on springs that you could bounce on, which, by-the-way, grew old quickly (the bouncing, not the never-aging, fake pony). I guess I wasn’t specific enough. I should have clearly stated: a real, live, three-year-old pony, broken, about nine hands high, black and white pinto mare, with a gentle disposition.

And then there were the gifts that I gave my parents. Back in the day, I wasn’t very good at coming up with ideas, and they were equally not forthcoming with suggestions. Large shopping malls were non-existent, and there was no Internet to help with the gift-buying process. Needless to say, my father received enough Old Spice and Drambuie to last two or more lifetimes. My mother had a drawer full of waltz-length nightgowns from Stowers in downtown Clinton. Why didn’t she tell me, “I’m all set with nightgowns?”

How times have changed! My family has turned holiday shopping into somewhat of a requirements gathering process. I receive emails with links to things they would like, and if applicable, they include other specifications such as color and size. This hasn’t always worked smoothly. Like the year that a link from my stepdaughter went to a pretty, soft green tee shirt, but what arrived at my door was hideous mustard green. When placing the order, I didn’t pay attention to the default color selection. Then there were the shoes in a men’s size 9 instead of women’s size 9. I am not sure why, but the link went to a men’s version of the shoes.

Over the past several years, I’ve learned a great deal about this gift giving business. I have learned the hard way that gift requirements should never be vague or ambiguous (All I ever asked for was a pony). They can specify things that are not wanted, right? (My parents were too sweet!) Requirements should be well documented and validated to confirm that they are accurate. Mistakes can lead to sad, disappointed little faces (my pony), and can cause schedule issues (I was not able to get the green tee in time for Christmas). Mistakes can increase cost (needed to pay extra shipping). In the world of business analysis, poor requirements gathering may ultimately cause a project to crash and burn. At least with gift giving, it is, of course, the thought that counts, though I wouldn’t recommend saying this to your project sponsor!