The Gift of the Magi is a short story by O. Henry, first published in 1905. It tells the story of a young married couple, Jim and Della, who are financially struggling but deeply in love. As Christmas approaches, each wants to buy a special gift for the other. Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s prized pocket watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy decorative combs for Della’s hair. Neither knows what the other has done, leading to a touching and ironic twist when they exchange their now-useless gifts.

The story highlights the themes of love, sacrifice, and selflessness, showing that the true spirit of giving lies not in the gift itself but in the thought and sacrifice behind it. O. Henry’s use of irony and warm, simple storytelling captures the bittersweet beauty of love and generosity, making The Gift of the Magi one of the most beloved and enduring Christmas stories in American literature.