This year Waitrose has combined its second continuation of Keira Knightley’s Love Actually story with the storyline of another Hollywood romantic comedy, Made of Honor, starring Patrick Dempsey.

And the new six-minute film, The Perfect Gift 2, created by Wonderhood Studios and directed by Bafta winner, Molly Manners, combines the heart-teasing suspense – and ultimately feel good – of both. Keira Knightly is about to marry an awkward aristocrat (Rivals star Alex Hassell), but Phil (played by Joe Wilkinson) – the unlikely love interest she met last year in the cheese aisle, is goaded into “getting his girl”. He embarks on the quest to win her back armed with a homemade Beef Wellington and a jar of conserves with “Marry me, instead” written on it.

Does he succeed? Of course, he does. And the finale is brilliantly hyped by the slowest lead-up to a kiss possible to the soundtrack of Jennifer Rush’s The Power of Love plays. Through the rest of the film is a score written by award-winning composer, Harry Lightfoot, and recorded by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. 

The cinema quality of the film is also enhanced by snow-dusted country house locations and sweeping tracking shots. And for branding, there are the supermarket-essential close-ups of Waitrose Christmas goodies dotted throughout.

Supporting the main hero film, is a social media onslaught by Waitrose – a range of assets (often humorous) made with Wonderhood’s social arm, Makers Studio. They include more of Knightley and Wilkinson, behind the scenes clips, a trailer that includes footage not used in the hero film, bloopers, and a take on the Meet Cute social trend between Keira and Phil.

Keira Knightley’s Danielle Frankel wedding dress from the ad will be auctioned in early 2027 to benefit John Lewis Partnership charities. And fans purchase the John Lewis apron she wears.