Ideas for gifts in Ecuador

Artesanal gifts that are not too expensive may be appropriate - something like birds carved out of cow horn, a wooden carving of the Madonna and Child, a small pesebre (carvings/figures of the manger scene of the birth of Christ), a pair of brass estribos (stirrups), a small or big bronze (bronce) pan/pot olla or paila for decoration (or for cooking, too), and artwork, small oil/acrylic paintings of the Ecuadorian landscapes, tagua nut buttons or figurines, maybe a poncho, or a Panamá hat (made in Ecuador near Jipijapa/Montecristi, or from Cuenca)...

Assuming you're coming from the US, I think you got it right; a scotch is usually greatly appreciated in Ecuador (many buy them at the dutyfree shops and bring them as gifts, especially Johnny Walker's Black Label). Not sure if artisanal crafts would be a good idea though; in all honesty. If the person is not a drinker, perhaps a nice hat, tshirt, polo? Women like swarovski crystals, and you can find a nice pair ranging the USD50s.