There is one thing you can count on, no matter how well you plan things, something will not go as you planned. Even the most experienced Christmas Elves, have to deal with this. Here are some to of the common problems and ways  to deal with them.

When you are a family elf
 

There was something on the list, that you were unable to locate.
or
An ordered item, didn't show up in time.
 
 
If it has accessories, like clothing or even batteries. Wrap the accessories, with a nice card attached stating something like, "That XYZ item fell off sled last night, will be sending a replacement soon." Even the highest demanded toys will appear in massive quantity by mid January.
 
An item requested, doesn't fit the budget.
 
Depending on item and age of the person requesting, you maybe able:

To pull resources with others that will be giving the person a gift, and have all names on the card that helped.

To buy part of it and let other family members know what was wanted and what part you bought. Like if an older person wants a trip you may buy the travel ticket, some one else may do the motel, another buy needed items for the trip. Or if something like a special doll, you by the doll, and let others buy the items that go with her.

To start a fund to put toward the item. This can be great for teens, wanting a car, stereo, or a new computer. Open a savings account with the money, and wrap up the passbook, with a nice note. Some times you might be able to find a miniature of the item to wrap with it.

Warning: What ever you do, be careful with substitutes, especially with young children. Even the young ones know the difference between the real brand name toy, and a "look a like". You may be safer going or the second most wanted item on the list, than getting a off brand version of the first choice.
 

Experience speaking: First it happened to me as a kid, and I still remember it. Also the first year of the Cabbage Patch, I miss guessed what the three girls would want. So I didn't buy the doll when it was available, by the time I found out it was the number one choice, not a doll was to be found. I got a look-a-like, with brand name accessories. They played with them, but you could see the disappointment. The next year the same thing almost happened with the "Preemie Cabbage Patch, however this time a store dumped some on the floor while we were doing our Christmas shopping. Each girl was allowed to dive in and try to get one, all of them returned from the mob, with a doll in hand. It was explained this would be their big gift. Now with the budget totally wrecked, I simply made some clothing and bought off brand accessories, for Christmas morning. This worked just find, the dolls were real and they enjoyed the extras, even if they weren't brand name.
 
Wrong size, color, style
 
First remember they will have appreciated the thought of the gift. However I would assume that you wanted them to use it.
 
If you kept the receipt and depending on age, either you or they can take it back to exchange it. Be sure to let them know, that your feelings won't be hurt.

If you lost the receipt, many stores will still let you exchange it for the first week after Christmas.

Was on clearance, bought too early, or store won't allow exchanges. Take the person out to buy a replacement, and donate the other one to a shelter.
 
 

Avoiding duplicates
 
Coordinate especially with extended family members (like grandparents), let everyone you have on the master list of what family member's  wants.  You are not telling them what to buy, but simply offering a chance to let them know wishes, and cut down on duplicates. Have the person tell you what they are planning to get, and mark it off the list.
Wrong sizes, colors, and style
 
Let extended family members know (especially grandparents), that if  they would like, you will be more than happy to give them a list of sizes, colors, and styles of each family member.
 
Experience speaking: From my first memories until I was 12, my grandparents that lived on the other side of the country would send me a new winter coat for Christmas. This was great, it was always very nice, in style, and something nicer than we could afford. Only one problem it was always one size to big. Every year I would put in the closet until the next winter, when I had grown into it. Than when I was 12, they changed and bought me an outfit....it was too small. After that I got a nice card, with a check.
 
Setting up for possible exchanges
 
While shopping, place an envelope in your purse or pocket. Each time you buy a gift, quickly write down on the back which gift it was, and place it in the envelope. This way all the receipts will be in one place, and you don't have to try to remember which receipt went with which gift.

If you are going to be shipping the gift out of town, many major stores, now will give you a gift receipt. This gift receipt shows the item, but not the price. It will allow the person to exchange it just like a normal receipt. Plus you get to keep the original.
 

Mail ordered items - late, broken, or wrong item
 
No matter if you ordered it from a catalog, TV, or the internet. Use a credit card if possible! If you don't have a credit card, check with a family member or very close friend that uses one. Offer them the cash now, for them to order it on their card.

Most companies are good and honest, however Christmas is the busiest season, and they do have human employees. Mistakes can happen. Also some companies simply aren't honest.

Order early, have them read back the order stating colors, sizes.....

When the item is delivered take a quick look at the box, if damaged note it, request that the delivery person stay, while you open the box. If the item is damaged, file a claim.

If the box looked fine, but the item has been broken in shipment, file the claim imediately and let the company know you will need a replacement ASAP.

If the wrong item was shipped
 

If it is close to Christmas (December 15 or later), and depending on the gift, and age of recipient. You may wish to do one of the following:
 
Wrap the gift, with a note of what happened. Than send the item back. This is handy for items that arrive after December 20. Be sure not to remove any tags, or loose any of the packing, paperwork, or shipping box.

Call the store, re-order the item, and set-up to return the wrong item for a refund. Otherwise, the company may not send the replacement until they receive the first one, making the replacement come too late for Christmas.

Return item for a refund, and go to plan B. Plan B:Go to a local store, and buy a replacement.
 

Helping Outside of the Home
 

Item on list cant be located
 
As a rule, I would suggest going the the next item down. However you could arrange for the item to be ordered and delivered later. Just remember to still provide something that can be opened Christmas morning too.
 
 
Items have been added from the orginal list
 
This may happen when you receive a letter or list from an organization. The orginal list differs from what you discover when you make the contact. If you can find the item, and it is within your budget this is no problem. The problem arrises when you either can't get the item or it is beyond your finical limits.

You may wish to recrute some help, either by asking friends, family, or co-workers, to help out.

If this is not possable, let the person/family know, that as much as you like to have provided the item you won't be able to.
 
 

Family dosn't appear to be in need
 
Remember its the thought that counts. Yes, some familys slip through the screening, that may not be really in need. However many people and familys due need the assistance. Just because they may live in a nicer area of town than you expected, or own a nice car, does not mean that all is well. There are many reasons a family may be in need: a last minute lay-off of the bread winner, an illness or accedent or death in the family, having to support extended family (grandparents or parents),  are some of the most common reasons. Don't judge, help, after all you may not know the whole story.

Of course there are people that thrive off the goodness of others. If this happens, do your duty, don't make the kids pay the price for their parents greed.
 
 

Family dosen't appear to appreciate

You aren't doing this for the praize, or for people to tell you how nice you are. You do it from the heart, to make a little piece of the world a little better for awhile. Many people are receiving help for the first time, they may be ashamed, and feeling that they have failed or are wondering "whats the catch". They simply don't know how to respond. After all we have all heard the phrase, "There's no free lunch".
 

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Elf Robin