Every year around this time I am asked the same question in different words: what do you give someone who already has everything? My answer has not changed since I started this brand. You give them something made slowly, with a story they can tell, that they will still be wearing in ten years. That is what I mean by a unique gift, and it is why alpaca has become our answer.
A gift like this earns its place three times. It feels wonderful on the day, it keeps its beauty through years of wear, and it carries a story you can hand over with it. Ours begins on a farm in the New Forest and ends in a box you have chosen for someone you love. Nothing about it is hidden.
For the traveller
The wrap is where we begin, and it remains our hero piece. It is a scarf on a cold platform, a shawl in a draughty restaurant and a blanket on a long-haul flight, all in one soft layer. Because it does not depend on a size, it is the gift I would give when I am not certain what someone wears. Our guide to travelling with an alpaca wrap has more on how it earns its place in a bag.
For the person who dresses beautifully but quietly
The pieces we showed at London Fashion Week make lovely gifts for someone with a considered wardrobe. The Poncho is easy to wear and forgiving to give, and the Soft Set and the Lounge Suit are made for people who value comfort and covet elevated lounging that still looks composed.
For the one who cares where things come from
Some people read the label before they read the price. For them, provenance is the gift. Our fibre comes from our own herd and that of our local friends., it is spun at a small family-run mill in Northern Ireland, and it is knitted and finished in Leicester. We are a Reloom Pioneer Brand, and we were named One to Watch at the Drapers Conscious Fashion Awards, but the most convincing proof is being able to name every hand that made it.
For yourself
I will say this quietly: some of my favourite gifts have been the ones I chose for myself after a long year. Made once, kept always is not only a phrase for other people. I love to road test each piece , I encourage the comments and feedback from others. And if people ask if they can stroke my alpaca wrap....the answer is always a yes!!
How to give it well
Our pieces are made in small batches and we choose never to exceed them, so choice is deliberately limited and the pieces are quietly rare. I would order earlier rather than later. We can add a handwritten note, and tell the person that alpaca rarely needs washing, which is the kind of practical kindness that makes a gift feel considered. We have also now introduced the luxury gift box option to make your gifting so much easier. plus we can add a handwritten note, and tell the person that alpaca rarely needs washing, which is the kind of practical kindness that makes a gift feel considered.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good luxury gift for someone who has everything? Choose something made in small numbers with a traceable story, such as a natural alpaca wrap. It is useful, beautiful and unlikely to be duplicated.
What if I do not know their size? A wrap is a lovely answer when you are unsure of size, because it is worn draped rather than fitted.
When should I order Christmas gifts from Alpaca Apparel? Early. Pieces are made in small batches, so availability is limited.