If you are looking for a Christmas gift in Ecuador, you can start from US$15 with an embroidered plush toy or a cap, move up to a shawl from US$22.50, a blanket from US$29.25 or a poncho from US$30. For it to arrive before December 24, 2026, order with time to spare: according to our shipping rule, an order placed on Tuesday the 22nd would arrive on Thursday the 24th, but that date is not guaranteed, and if you live in the Galápagos or a rural town it is best to order well before.
This article is written by Alpaca, a store that started in Quito in 2018, so it talks about what we sell. We also tell you when something is not a good idea for the person you have in mind.
What to give by person and budget
Prices change; the ones below are what you see in the store today, which is why we say "from."
| Budget | What to give | Who it works for |
|---|---|---|
| From US$14.50 | Embroidered plush toy | Children, or a little extra to add to another gift. It is made of embroidered fabric, not alpaca. |
| US$15 to US$17.50 | Cap | Someone who already has everything and wears a cap every day. |
| US$22.50 to US$26.50 | Shawl (180 × 60 cm) | Mom, grandma, mother-in-law, a friend, a boss. It is the gift least likely to get the size wrong, because it has none. |
| US$29.25 to US$35.50 | Blanket (2.30 × 1.55 m) | Someone who stays home: sofa, foot of the bed, cold nights. |
| US$30 to US$39.50 | Poncho (one size) | Someone who goes out: outings, moorland, a cold office, trips. |
| US$28 to US$45 | Coats and jackets | Someone who prefers clothes with sleeves. |
For mom or grandma
A shawl. It measures 180 × 60 cm and is worn over the shoulders, on the sofa or as an extra layer in the car. If you are unsure which color, the Cacao double-sided shawl has two colors, one on each side, and so settles two tastes in a single garment. There are also solid-color shawls, about 19 in total.
For dad, an uncle or someone who "never wears anything"
A blanket or a poncho. The poncho is one size (96 × 126 cm for most) and is measured from the shoulders, so you do not have to guess the size. If you need help choosing, we have a guide on how to choose a poncho.
For children
The embroidered Capi and Kuri plush toys are the cheapest and the best fit for adding to another gift. They are not made of alpaca, and we say so that nobody expects it.
For secret Santa
With a budget of US$15 to US$30, caps, plush toys and shawls fit. We made a separate list by amount: secret Santa gifts from US$15.
For someone who lives abroad
We ship abroad by DHL or UPS and you see the cost before you pay. If the gift is for someone in Ecuador and you are abroad, you can pay by credit or debit card, or write to us on WhatsApp at 098 7878 444.
When to order so it arrives before Christmas
Our shipping works like this: what you order one day ships the next day, whatever the time, and arrives a day later. There is no dispatch on Sundays or holidays. December 24, 2026 falls on a Thursday and the 25th on a Friday, which is a holiday. With that rule, the reference calendar looks like this (it is a calculation, not a delivery guarantee):
| If you order… | It ships… | It arrives… |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, December 18 | Saturday the 19th | Monday the 21st |
| Saturday the 19th or Sunday the 20th | Monday the 21st | Tuesday the 22nd |
| Monday the 21st | Tuesday the 22nd | Wednesday the 23rd |
| Tuesday the 22nd | Wednesday the 23rd | Thursday the 24th |
| Wednesday the 23rd | Thursday the 24th | Friday the 25th: it is a holiday, do not count on that date |
Our advice is not to rush to the last day. The Galápagos and some rural towns take longer, and a package that is a day late in December ruins the surprise. In Quito there is Alpaca Flash (US$8.50): it arrives the same day if you order by 9 p.m. Before counting on it for December 24, confirm on WhatsApp that it is active that day. The details on costs and times are in the shipping policy.
Shipping across Ecuador by Servientrega costs US$5.50 (US$4.99 in Quito and valleys).
How the gift arrives
Every order goes in a gift box. If you mark it as a gift, the box goes with no prices inside. Several items can go together in the same box, useful if you want a shawl and a plush toy for the same person. A customer wrote to us on WhatsApp: "Very kind, I just received my order! I am very satisfied! What a lovely presentation!"
What is worth knowing before buying
- The composition: most ponchos, all the shawls and the blankets are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic. Three ponchos (Night Rain, Calm Rain and Imbabura Flower) are cotton and polyester. If the recipient is looking for pure alpaca, we are not your option; read pure alpaca vs. acrylic blend.
- The blanket is not queen size: it measures 2.30 × 1.55 m and suits a full-size bed. For a bigger bed it works as a throw at the foot of the bed.
- If it does not fit or they do not like it: there are 30 days from when they receive it, with the item unused, for a refund, exchange or credit. The return shipping is paid by whoever returns it, unless it is a defect or a mistake on our side. It is all in the return policy.
You can see more ideas in the Gifts collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Christmas gift at Alpaca?
Embroidered plush toys, from US$14.50, and caps, from US$15 to US$17.50. Prices may change; check the store before buying.
How late can I order for it to arrive before December 24?
According to our shipping rule, an order placed on Tuesday the 22nd would ship on Wednesday and arrive on Thursday the 24th, but we cannot guarantee a date, so order earlier. An order placed on Wednesday the 23rd would ship on Thursday and arrive on the 25th, a holiday. In the Galápagos and rural towns, order much earlier.
Does the gift arrive with the price on it?
No. Every order goes in a gift box and, if it is a gift, with no prices inside.
Can I pay by bank transfer or Deuna?
Yes. We accept credit or debit card, bank transfer and Deuna. You can also order on WhatsApp: 098 7878 444.
Do you do same-day delivery in Quito?
Yes, with Alpaca Flash (US$8.50), if you order by 9 p.m. It only works in Quito.