For a secret Santa in Ecuador you can give an embroidered plush toy or a cap from US$14.50, a shawl from US$22.50, or a poncho or blanket from about US$30. Everything arrives in a gift box and, if you ask, with no prices inside. Shipping across the country costs US$5.50 (Quito and valleys, US$4.99) and is added to the price of the item, so if your limit is exact, take that into account before deciding.
This guide is written by Alpaca, an Ecuadorian store, so we suggest what we have. Even so, we try to be genuinely useful: we tell you what fits each budget, what does not, and how to avoid the classic "I gave them something that was not for them."
Quick table by budget
| Budget | What fits | Heads up |
|---|---|---|
| Up to US$15 | A Capi plush toy or a Kuri plush toy (from US$14.50); a cap, which starts at US$15 | Shipping is not included |
| Up to US$20 | Cap (US$15 to US$17.50) or plush toy | With shipping, the total may go over US$20 |
| Up to US$25 | A solid-color shawl (from US$22.50) | Shawls go up to US$26.50; check the price of the color you like |
| Up to US$30 | A shawl, a blanket (from US$29.25) or a poncho (from US$30) | Prices change; check the current one before ordering |
The prices you see here are today's and may vary. What counts is the price shown in the store when you place the order.
If your budget is US$15
The safest choice here is a plush toy. The ones we link here are Capi and Kuri, made of embroidered fabric (they are not made of alpaca, so nobody gets confused). They work for almost anyone because nobody is offended by a plush toy, and they suit a coworker as well as someone in the family. You can also look at the Alpaca cap if the person wears caps.
Who it is for: coworkers, cousins, someone you hardly know.
Who it is not for: someone who said "I do not like knick-knacks" or who already has a thousand plush toys (we do not know, you do).
If your budget is US$20
The cap (between US$15 and US$17.50) is the practical gift that fits here. If your person wears caps, you will get it right. If they do not, they will not put it on just because you gave it, so before choosing it, notice (discreetly) whether they like them.
If your secret Santa has dropped hints like "I get cold," it may be worth waiting for the next budget level and giving a shawl.
If your budget is US$25
This is where the shawl comes in. The shawls measure 180 × 60 cm. They are 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic, and are hand-washed in cold water. There are solid-color ones (about 19) and double-sided ones, which are reversible with a different color on each side. To see how to wear one and how to choose a color, see our shawl guide.
A shawl suits almost any adult. If you do not know which color they like, natural camel and black are the safest; the logic is simple: they go with almost everything. You have the Natural Camel and the Absolute Black. And if you want the person to have two options in a single item, the double-sided ones, such as Mist or Cacao, settle the color question.
If your budget is US$30
You have three paths:
- A shawl (up to US$26.50) plus a small extra, for example a plush toy, if the group allows two gifts. Check how many gifts the exchange allows before buying.
- A blanket from US$29.25. It measures 2.30 × 1.55 m and suits a full-size bed. On a queen bed it falls short, and it is better that you know before giving it. If the idea is for an armchair or a full-size bed, it works well. There are details in the blanket guide.
- A poncho from US$30, one size: most measure 96 × 126 cm, measured from the shoulders. If you are unsure between models, read how to choose a poncho. It is the riskiest gift: taste in ponchos is very personal. Choose it only if you know the person wears or wants one.
How to get it right without knowing the person well
- Ask indirectly. Something like "What do you like to drink when it is cold?" or "Do you already have something to cover up with at the office?"
- Look at what they already wear. Sober colors: black, camel, gray. Bright colors: choose a bright one.
- When in doubt, choose something versatile. A neutral solid-color shawl is easier to get right than a striped poncho.
- Think about the city. A warm gift makes more sense if the person lives in or travels to cold places; if they live in a warm climate, a plush toy or a cap is usually safer.
- Keep the receipt. If it does not fit or they do not like it, you have 30 days from receiving the item to ask for an exchange, as long as it is unused.
Shipping and dates: what you need to know
- What you order one day ships the next day and arrives a day later. Example: you order on Monday, it ships on Tuesday and arrives on Wednesday. You order on Friday: it ships on Saturday and arrives on Monday. If you order on Saturday or Sunday, it ships on Monday and arrives on Tuesday.
- There is no dispatch on Sundays and holidays.
- The Galápagos and some rural towns take longer.
- Quito only: Alpaca Flash costs US$8.50 and arrives the same day if you order by 9 p.m.
- If your gift exchange is on a fixed date, order a few days ahead and check the shipping policy.
Every order goes in a gift box. If it is a gift, it goes with no prices inside, and several items can go together in a single box. A person who wrote to us on WhatsApp said: "Very kind, I just received my order! I am very satisfied! What a lovely presentation!" If you want more ideas, see the Gifts collection and the little extras.
How to pay
You can pay by credit or debit card, bank transfer or Deuna. You can also place your order on WhatsApp at 098 7878 444. To learn how to buy step by step, see this page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a safe US$15 secret Santa gift?
An embroidered plush toy, such as Capi or Kuri, which start at US$14.50. It is a gift almost nobody turns down. Remember that shipping is added: if your limit is exact, keep that in mind when choosing.
Do gifts arrive anywhere in Ecuador?
Yes. We ship by Servientrega across Ecuador for US$5.50 (Quito and valleys, US$4.99). What you order one day ships the next day and arrives a day later. The Galápagos and some rural towns take longer.
What if the person does not fit it or does not like it?
They have 30 days from receiving the package to ask for a refund, an exchange or a credit, with the item unused. The return shipping is paid by whoever requests it, unless there is a defect or a mistake on our side. For gifts, the best thing is for the person to write to us on WhatsApp.
Is a shawl a good gift for a man?
It can be, if he wears scarves or gets cold at the office, but there is no rule. A black or camel shawl is usually easier to get right than a flashy color. If you are not sure, a cap or a plush toy are more neutral options.