The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

COLUMBIA -- As the holidays approach, many of us are already trying to find that perfect gift for that someone who has everything.

Some Mid-Missouri alpaca farmers might have the answer to your problem.

Alpacas are sort of like little llamas. Four mid-Missouri alpaca breeders combined their unique talents to open a holiday store in downtown Columbia called the Alliance of Alpacas and Artisans. Shoppers have the opportunity to speak directly to the producers of these handmade products.  Diane Peckham sheers about 150 pounds of alpaca fleece every year from about 40 animals on her farm.

“It’s all fun," Peckham said. "The animals are just gorgeous. The animals make my day. Going home to see my little baby alpacas running around in the field and their moms taking care of them and the cool looking herd, that’s all totally fun.”

Alpacas produce one of the world’s finest and most luxurious natural fibers. Farmers clip the fleece from the animal without injury. Most of the alpaca products are handmade including socks, gloves, hats, scarves, rugs, afghans, jewelry and even pet rocks.

Alpaca farmers said alpaca fleece is a lot softer and a lot more durable than wool from sheep. The alpaca’s soft fiber comes in 22 natural colors.

“I’ve raised several exotic animals and I had miniature sheep for a while," Alpaca breeder Linda Coats said. "That’s what got me into spinning and weaving. Then, I got introduced to the alpacas and the fiber is just very nice to work with.”

The alpaca holiday store sits in an alley between Ninth and Tenth Streets in downtown Columbia. Don’t let their urban entrance fool you. Once you get inside, you’ll enter a world of natural beauty.

Alpacas are never killed for their meat or pelts.

Farmers raise them exclusively for their luxurious fiber.