Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

It wasn't just that Hugh Hefner presented Crystal Harris with an engagement ring on Christmas Eve – it was how he did it that impressed her.

"We were up in the bedroom," Harris, 24, tells PEOPLE, "and my favorite movie is The Little Mermaid, so he had the ring in a Little Mermaid box, and that was so special. I opened it and the first thing he said to me was, 'I hope it fits!' "

Adds Hefner, 84, "I got her a little music box with the Mermaid theme to it, and it just looked like the perfect size and the perfect place to be the ring box. So when she started unwrapping that gift, I reached over and wound it so it was playing music while she discovered what was inside."

Although she cried with happiness, Harris says, "There wasn't any 'down-on-one-knee' or anything like that, because we are not traditional."

The ring is a circle diamond "a little over three karats," says Harris, "and it's on platinum setting and it has diamonds all around the band as well. It's so pretty."



Christmas Presents
Meanwhile, in addition to holiday gifts of an iPhone and a scrapbook of their past year together, Harris gave Hefner a painting she commissioned of her, Hefner and their dog Charlie by former Playmate and Amazing Race contestant Victoria Fuller.

Crystal "is so totally devoted," Hefner says. "Her priorities are pretty much our relationship, No. 1 and No. 2 and 3, and you don't always find that. Despite the age disparity, the truth of the matter is we have a great deal in common, we really complement one another, we have a wonderful time together, and I love her."

The pair met at a Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion in 2008. "We were both psychology majors in school, so there was never a dull moment," says Harris. "We always had something to talk about. We go to Vegas and stay at his suite at the Palms, we travel all over, and we've been to Europe. We have movie nights at home with all our friends, and I have a blast with him. He's the one with all the energy!"

Hefner, who's been married (and divorced) twice, admits he has been publicly skeptical about the institution of marriage. "I do think there is a certain reality to the fact that people start to take one another for granted," the Playboy founder says.

"I just simply found myself in a relationship with Crystal in which I felt, quite frankly, the opposite seemed to be true – that the more committed to one another we were, the closer we got, and the more we loved one another, and I just think this one, for me, will be the exception to the rule."



Kendra Congratulates
Joining Harris and Hefner in celebrating their engagement are the stars from the E! series Girls Next Door. Kendra Wilkinson Tweeted her congratulations to the couple. Bridget Marquart "sent us 'I Do' cupcakes from Sprinkles," Harris says. "And then Holly [Madison] is coming here on Wednesday to do film a segment for her Holly's World show, so it's going to be cool to have her here to say hi."

Although both are enjoying their engagement and not yet in wedding planning mode, Harris and Hefner agree they are not in family planning mode, either.

"I have never been the children type," says Harris. "I told my mom I never wanted children. I wanted animals instead, and there are tons of them here."

Adds Hefner, "If it happens, it happens, but that is not part of the plan."

Message edited 1/3/2011 10:54:45 AM.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I just cant take this seriously.. She is 24!!!!!!!!!! Come on.. I know I am being extremely judgemental here , I hate that I am but in this situatoin it just bothers me .. And I dated a man 18yrs older than me for 2 years .. But we are talking about 60 years difference.. I just cant wrap my head around this .. I am sure he is VERY young at heart , Oh who knows !!! I hope they are happy.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

awww how cute her favorite movie is the little mermaid and her FH is 60 yrs older than her I dont like to judge but cant see how can they be such a conection. It is hard not to think twice about this relationship. Would she be so in love if he was poor?

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by springchick

awww how cute her favorite movie is the little mermaid and her FH is 60 yrs older than her I dont like to judge but cant see how can they be such a conection. It is hard not to think twice about this relationship. Would she be so in love if he was poor?

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by Diana712

Posted by springchick

awww how cute her favorite movie is the little mermaid and her FH is 60 yrs older than her I dont like to judge but cant see how can they be such a conection. It is hard not to think twice about this relationship. Would she be so in love if he was poor?

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its so ridiculous to me

Message edited 1/3/2011 11:39:27 AM.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I was just curious if her hair could be ANY faker?

That is some FAKE AZZ looking extensions!

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I didnt think he could marry anyone else that his ex wife wasnt divorcing him (smart chick) but guess that gossip was wrong lol. Id rather have seen him end up with Holly Madison.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Wow I thought she was a lot older than 24, and she's not that attractive...

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I always wonder what young girls like that see in those multi millionaire old fogies...

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by yankinmanc

I always wonder what young girls like that see in those multi millionaire old fogies...

Message edited 1/3/2011 6:46:05 PM.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

LMAO- reading that The Little Mermaid is her favorite movie made me laugh. I mean really he could be her Grandpa!

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Message edited 1/3/2011 7:13:59 PM.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I like how she said there wasn't any "down on knee" because they're not "traditional". Um...he probably wouldn't be able to get back up if he got down on one knee!!!

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I guess she is seeing $$$ signs...that is all I can think.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by mosh913

I like how she said there wasn't any "down on knee" because they're not "traditional". Um...he probably wouldn't be able to get back up if he got down on one knee!!!

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by mosh913

I like how she said there wasn't any "down on knee" because they're not "traditional". Um...he probably wouldn't be able to get back up if he got down on one knee!!!

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I just find it totally gross
I read an article today that she says she doesn't even notice the age difference.

How the heck do you not notice??

A friend of mine is a model and does a lot of pagents and competitions. For Miss Hawaiian Tropic she had to go to the Playboy Mansion for some promo party. She told me she hated it. She said she felt so dirty and was ready to leave after 5 minutes. I asked her about the bunnies and she said they are gross and she thinks most of them are all nice to Hef because they all think they're going to get something out of it. She said the playboy mansion is nothing special

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

I thought the funniest line was when she said the ring was a "circle diamond." That is hysterical.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

Posted by ttc2011

Posted by mosh913

I like how she said there wasn't any "down on knee" because they're not "traditional". Um...he probably wouldn't be able to get back up if he got down on one knee!!!

My thoughts exactly. This is beyond disturbing and gross.

Message edited 1/5/2011 11:28:38 AM.

Re: Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris: Inside Their Engagement

so gross..but nice ring!