‘Tis the Season – for Gift Giving!

From October onwards, the holiday season rushes towards us and before we know it Christmas is upon us! With the slew of holidays between November and January – Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, Hanukkah, and more – it is important to get one’s holiday shopping done as early as possible to avoid the long lines and, more importantly, to avoid competing over the last toy!

As each holiday has its own traditions and observations, it is important to know which gifts are appropriate, or in some cases required, for certain days. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the traditions of the particular holiday you are celebrating and remember that each family may have their own way of observing the day! If you are unsure of appropriate gifts, ask!

No matter what the occasion, there are certain gifts that are guaranteed to please! For young children, teddy bears and stuffed animals are always a great option. Soft, cuddly and adorable, our alpaca teddy bear collection is a hit with the little ones! Available in an array of natural hues from chocolate brown to snowy white, our teddy bears are lovingly handmade with natural alpaca fibers and are the absolute definition of softness! When you get your hands on these little bears you may not want to give it to someone else!

And for those distant family members? The in-laws you don’t know too well or the third cousin you haven’t seen since tenth grade? Select something for the home that everyone loves – like a warm blanket. Perfect for snuggling during the cold winter months that are rapidly approaching! Alpaca throws come in a variety of beautiful colors and are far softer than their wool counterparts that may be scratchy. Check out our baby alpaca blanket collection and find the perfect one for any friend or family member!

For those you want to spoil without breaking the bank, check out our alpaca sale section which stocks a huge array of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories. Find sweaters for him and shawls for her at hugely discounted prices – perfect for the gift giving season! With its softness, style and durability, alpaca apparel always makes a welcome gift.

Remember to order early to make sure your gifts arrive on time as holiday postal services are often limited to certain days and clogged with everyone’s gifts! Taking time earlier to select gifts will ease the stress of the season and guarantee that all your loves ones receive their gifts in a timely manner!

It’s easy to find great gifts that everyone will love at Alpaca Boutique – with our unique selection of Peruvian alpaca clothing and accessories, you are sure to select gorgeous, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your holiday list. For more unique gift ideas, browse our alpaca gift collection with a wide selection of gifts for everyone in the family!

Elizabeth Gels is the owner of Alpaca Boutique - a luxury online boutique offering stylish, Peruvian alpaca goods and clothing. Browse our wide selection of alpaca clothing and fashion for men and women!

Features of Alpaca Fiber

The Incan people knew it, and generations of Peruvians since have known it – alpaca fleece is a superior fiber capable of sustaining warmth and style over any other wool! Originating from South America, alpacas have long been bred in the Andes of southern Peru, as well as in Bolivia, Ecuador and even northern Chile.

For about 5,000 years South American people have bred alpacas, resulting in furs and fibers that are gradually finer and even more luxurious that those of their predecessors! After thousands of years of domesticity, the alpaca is an incredibly docile and gentle animal that is also very low maintenance. Alpacas require little to live and impact their terrain even less, due mostly to their small, delicately padded feet.

Available in an array of subtle hues, alpaca fibers are a luxurious and durable fiber that has seen a huge growth in popularity over the past few years as people searched for alternatives to itchy wool or pricey cashmere. Alpaca fibers occur in 22 distinct shades ranging from light caramel tones to deeper, rich browns. Additionally, different colors of alpaca fibers can be blended and woven together to achieve unique shades and tonalities, as well as distinct patterns.

Just like mohair or cashmere, alpaca is a rare fiber so alpaca fleece garments tend to sell for higher price points. Alpaca fiber is classified as a rare specialty fiber. It is five times warmer than sheep’s wool fiber and more luxurious than cashmere. Unlike other finer furs, alpaca is extremely durable and with the correct care, can last for generations! Additionally, alpaca is warmer than any other natural fiber available on the market because of its higher thermal capacity, and is softer and glossier.

To retrieve these luxurious locks, alpacas are shorn annually, typically in spring. The shearing does not cause the alpaca any pain, nor does it leave them vulnerable to the elements as it transpires in the warmers months when their coats are less necessary. A shorn alpaca usually yields about 4 lbs of fibers!

When cleaned and woven, alpaca is glossy, and soft and smooth to the touch. This luster and suppleness are why alpaca garments are so desirable and what stands them apart from other similar fleeces. Browse our gorgeous array of alpaca clothing for men and women and you’ll understand why everyone, from Hollywood celebs to fashionistas, is vying for this supple textile.



Elizabeth Gels is the owner of Alpaca Boutique - a luxury online boutique offering stylish, Peruvian alpaca goods and clothing. Browse our wide selection of alpaca clothing and fashion for men and women!

Alpaca Wool – The New Luxury

The alpaca is known as the "Gold of the Andes” and for good reason too – the woven fibers of alpaca are amongst the softest, plushest fabrics available on the market. Popular in Peru for a long time, alpaca wool is quickly becoming a coveted winter fabric in the United States and elsewhere because of its incredible texture, durability and eco friendliness!

Why is Alpaca Wool so Soft?

Equally as soft as cashmere, alpaca wool manages to be lighter because it is a hollow fabric. Since sheep’s wool is a dense fiber, it is typically heavier than alpaca. Woolen clothes, especially coats, are extremely heavy and burdensome. alpaca can typically keep a person around 20 degrees warmer than wool can without adding a substantial amount of weight!

What Makes Alpaca Fiber Superior?

Alpaca wool is rapidly gaining popularity because in addition to being warm and soft, it is incredibly lightweight. Unlike other furs, fibers and sheep’s wool, the alpaca fiber is not heavy or bulky, but is instead light and breathable while remaining sleek and wonderfully warm. Since alpaca is hollow, it manages to trap heat within fibers, without trapping weight!

Why is it so Durable?

Alpaca wool is stronger and warmer than merino wool (of comparable fineness). The fiber is naturally resistant to piling, wrinkling and staining. Likewise, it doesn’t shrink as much as wool does when washed.

What about Baby Alpaca Wool?

No baby alpacas were harmed in the making of this hat! The name "Baby Alpaca" does not mean that the fiber was obtained from baby animals; it could easily come from an adult animal with a very fine coat. Baby Alpaca is actually a quality of alpaca fiber that has a thinner diameter (22.5 microns) and a longer length. These characteristics make Baby Alpaca a true premium luxury fiber, which is soft, smooth and shiny.

Is it Scratchy like Wool?

In addition to being much softer than traditional wool and spun fibers, alpaca does not contain lanolin, thereby making it less scratchy and irritating to the skin. This also means alpaca fibers are hypo-allergenic! Since it is also free from dander alpaca will not cause allergic reactions, as it will not retain dust!

How is it Made?

Much like sheep’s wool, alpaca fibers are created by first shearing the alpaca of its fur. Don’t worry – this is painless to the animal and it grows back quickly! The fiber is them combed, cleaned and woven into the luxurious fabric you see on our site!

Quality, durability, luxury – what more do you need to know? Alpaca is the ultimate fiber for softness, warmth and long-lasting style!

Elizabeth Gels is the owner of Alpaca Boutique - a luxury online boutique offering stylish, Peruvian alpaca goods and clothing. Browse our wide selection of alpaca clothing and fashion for men and women!

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