Countdown to Christmas 2024 Midweek Week 11 - The Gift of the Magi

December 04, 2024

The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a sweet and timeless Christmas story about love, sacrifice, and a little irony! The story follows a young couple, Della and Jim, who are deeply in love but also pretty broke. It’s Christmas Eve, and they’re both desperate to buy each other the perfect gift—but with barely any money, they’re in a tough spot.

The Most Prized Possession

Della, determined to get something special for Jim, decides to sell her most prized possession—her long, beautiful hair. She uses the money to buy Jim a fancy chain for his beloved pocket watch. Meanwhile, Jim is also plotting a surprise and sells his prized pocket watch to buy Della a set of gorgeous combs for her hair.

When they exchange gifts, they realize what’s happened—Jim now has a chain with no watch, and Della has combs with no hair! But instead of being sad, they both laugh at the situation and realize that the real gift is their love and willingness to sacrifice for one another. It’s a simple but powerful message that true love means more than any material gift.

Fun Trivia

Fun trivia: O. Henry (whose real name was William Sydney Porter) was known for his clever twists and ironic endings, and The Gift of the Magi is one of his most famous works. The story’s title refers to the biblical Magi, who gave precious gifts to the baby Jesus, making the story a modern twist on the idea of giving.

This short and sweet story is perfect for the holiday season, with its heartwarming message about love and selflessness. Even though Della and Jim’s gifts didn’t work out quite as planned, their sacrifices showed just how much they cared for each other—and that’s what makes The Gift of the Magi such a classic!