The two put their gifts away and enjoy dinner together. Saddened by the fact that she no longer has hair to brush with them, Della presents her gift to Jim, who, upon seeing the watch chain, reveals that he sold his watch to buy the combs. Meanwhile, Jim buys Della an exquisite set of combs she’d been wanting. That is, Della cuts and sells her hair at a local shop so that she can buy Jim a beautiful platinum watch chain. The day before Christmas, the both Jim and Della give up something they love very much in order to get the other a gift. And even though they don’t have much money, their relationship is filled with love. The narrator tells the tale of a young husband and wife, Jim Dillingham Young and Della Dillingham Young, who are trying to buy each other surprise Christmas gifts. So, what happens in “The Gift of the Magi,” exactly? Here’s our quick summary: Typically, Henry’s stories are marked by humor, twist endings, sentimentality, and life lessons this story reflects all of those features. “The Gift of the Magi ” was originally published in 1905 in The New York Sunday World, and, later, it was republished in the O. So, what actually unfolds in “The Gift of the Magi” story? We’re diving into the plot, themes, and more of this enduring tale.

The ever-popular short story has been adapted into multiple TV specials and movies, and, every year, it’s a story folks read again and again during the holiday season due to its themes of love and sacrifice.

The gift of the magi author