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rosePress Release - Elegant Introductions: the Introductions Agency with the Personal Touch

“Darling it’s lovely: couples reveal their festive gift secrets”

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Hilary Jones and Bruce Wilkie met five years ago and found so much happiness together they decided to set up an introductions agency, Elegant Introductions 0845-054-2731. They live in South Shields.

Best present
H: I got a diamond ring once, and some perfume that came from London called Penhaligon’s. It’s not a huge rarity, but it’s lovely and it’s hard to seek it out, and I know lots of thought went into that.
B: She got me a beautiful wrist watch that I absolutely love.

Ever missed the mark?
H: No, never. He’s very caring.
B: I may have done but she would never say. She’s never taken anything back!

Good at stocking fillers? Name two you loved
H: We always buy each other little presents. That’s one of the nicest things about Christmas. I even get them for the dogs! Last year I got our pet Joey a little Santa hat. We keep saying we should take his picture and make Christmas cards out of it.
B: I bought her some costume jewellery and some of those silly rubber gloves with the glamorous feathers round the cuffs, and I’m going to get her some of that Penhaligon’s perfume I got her last year which I know she loves. I always get her lots of little things.

What’s on your Christmas wish list this year?
H: Some more of the perfume that he bought last year. And just to enjoy another Christmas together. I’ve had a very aggressive cancer in the past and it’s taken me 50 years to meet someone like Bruce, so I just want us to continue to be happy and healthy together.
B: I once got a B&Q voucher which was really good. I like gardening and power tools and all that blokey kind of thing. This year my list consists of a portable DVD player, some Clinique toiletries, some good Remy Martin Cognac, and a Pompeii the Great history book.

What would be the dream gift you’d like to give?
H: A two-week cruise. Because I know that Bruce would very much like it and I would like to be able to give him that.
B: Because of our business, it’s been hard organising a holiday together. But that’s what I’d like to buy Hilary. A cruise, maybe on the Mediterranean.

And receive?
H: Just more of this life. More of the same. I know it sounds trite but nothing could be much better than that.
B: To be honest, I feel like I’ve got everything I want in life. It would really be getting back to a holiday together.

What’s your attitude towards Christmas?
H: I love it. He hates it. That’s why I call him The Grinch. I absolutely love it. I have as many Christmas dinners as I possibly can, cover the house with decorations, and start my shopping in the summer.
B: I think it’s very commercial these days. To be honest, before I met Hilary I would sometimes work on Christmas day. Personally, I’d like to go on holiday over Christmas, but Hilary likes to be here so I just do my best to make it happy for her. It’s always nice on the day.

Present buying – love it or loathe it?
H: I’m so organised, people find it annoying. One year, a friend persuaded me to leave all my shopping and wrapping until Christmas Eve, and I was exhausted the whole of Christmas Day. Never again. I love Christmas shopping and I have a list on my wardrobe door which I tick off as I buy people things.
B: I don’t so much going shopping, but it’s finding out what people want that’s the hard bit. The things I enjoy buying the most are the little stocking fillers. I’m using the internet more and more too.

Where do you do it and when do you start?
H: In the summer, of course. Usually on holiday. My view is that if you see something you know someone will like, buy it. It doesn’t matter how far away Christmas is. I also buy reserve gifts. Things I like, in case I don’t need to give them.
B: I never leave it til the last minute, but I wouldn’t really start before December.

Do you throw heavy hints?
H: Massive. Absolutely enormous. When we’re out shopping, watching adverts on TV, I’ll say, oh THAT’S nice. Does it work? Only if he’s listening. He’s a bloke.
B: There’s not a lot I really want. I find I get a lot less materialistic as I grow older. But yes, if I do think of things then I do drop hints.

How much do you spend on him/her?
H: About £250. It’s not the big presents that cost, it’s all the little things you buy them that really adds up. He always gets lots of wrapped presents on the big day.
B: About £300. But if she wants something special then I’m happy to buy her it.

How about wrapping?
H: Oh yes! It has to look nice as well as be nice. I enjoy the whole thing and like to have it done in good time.
B: I do wrap. I wouldn’t say I was fabulous, but I do it. Usually last minute.

How does your Christmas Day go in terms of present opening?
H: As soon as we wake up. I have them hidden in a bag in a wardrobe and go off and get them straight away.
B: When there’s been any of our children here we give out presents after Christmas lunch. But this year we’ll do it first thing.

Is one of you more lavish than the other?
H: Yes, probably Bruce. He does it with style without a shadow of a doubt. Even though he hates Christmas.
B: I would say its Hilary. She’s very generous. Although really, we’re probably quite equal. I’m not as enthusiastic about Christmas as she is, but I give it my best shot for Hilary.

Published on System.Byte[] by North East Exclusive – December 2005 Issue.