It’s only a week until Christmas and the final countdown is on. The tree is up, the turkey has been ordered and most of you will have got your gifts sorted – unless you’re the type that runs around on the 24th in which case good luck! One of my favourite activities is wrapping presents and I love to go all out with colour co-ordinated tags and ribbons. For the last few years I have opted for the stylish tried-and-tested brown paper and black ribbon theme, but this year I have decided to up my wrapping game. If like me you spend hours perusing the aisles of Paperchase and get giddy with excitement at stylish bargain basement Tiger then Hema is the new store for you.

 

This summer saw the launch of its first three UK stores with branches in London Victoria, Kingston and Bromley, as well as online for those outside the M25. And what a colourful treat it is. Stacked high with stamps, stickers, wooden toys, quirky snacks, beauty products and more, this popular Dutch import has been a huge hit in the UK. It is perfect for gifts and stocking fillers and with prices starting at 75p, it is also kind on the purse strings (but be warned, you’ll end up buying far more than you planned to). This week I popped to the Kingston store to take a look and my inner stationery geek fell in love. Here’s what I found…

And in case you fancy some inspiration for your gift wrapping this year I have put together some combinations that will get everyone excited about their presents. I bought all the items in the below image for £20 – I got a little carried away, but this stash will last me well into 2015. Sticky tape at the ready, set, wrap!

Understated chic: Brown star wrap (£1 for multipack of 3) with jute twine (£0.75) , gold glitter ribbon (£3 for multipack of 3) and printed brown luggage tag (tags £1, stamp £3 for set of 2, ink pads £2.50 for set of 2)

Sparkly silver: Silver wrap (£1 for 3 rolls) with sparkly ribbons (£3 for multipack of 3) and ‘With Love’ labels and tags (stickers £1.50 for multipack, stamps £3 for set of 2, glitter ink pad £2.50 for set of 2)

Colourful combos: Candy stripes or polka dot wrap with contrasting stickers (£1 for multipack) and sparkly ribbon (£3 for multipack of 3)

Print and pink: Triangle print wrap (£1 for multipack of 3) with zig-zag ribbon (£2.50 for 3 colour set) and stickers and stamps (stickers £1.50 for multipack, stamps £3 for set of 2, ink pad £2.50 for set of 2)

Colour clash: Star print wrap (£1 for multipack of 3) with zig-zag ribbon (£2.50 for 3 colour set) and ‘Special Delivery’ stickers (stamps £3 for set of 2, labels £1.50 for multipack, ink pad £2.50 for set of 2)

Hema, 24 Clarence Street, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 1NX. T: 020 3764 7118. http://www.hemashop.com