The Gift of the Magi (short story)

"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry is a story about a young couple, Jim and Della, who want to give each other meaningful Christmas gifts despite their limited money. Della sells her long hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, and Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. In the end, both sacrifices are rendered somewhat pointless because their gifts no longer match their new possessions. The story highlights themes of love, sacrifice, and the true meaning of giving, emphasizing that the genuine value of a gift lies in the heartfelt intention behind it.