Della wants to buy Jim a beautiful gold watch chain for Christmas, but she only has $1.87. She decides to sell her most prized possession: her long, beautiful hair. She gets $20 for it and buys Jim the perfect chain.
Meanwhile, Jim has been saving up to buy Della a set of combs for her hair, which he knows she desperately wants. He sells his watch to buy them.
On Christmas Eve, both Della and Jim arrive home, excited to exchange gifts. They are overjoyed to see each other, but their joy quickly turns to sadness when they reveal their gifts.
Della's beautiful hair is gone, and Jim's watch is missing. They realize that they have both sacrificed their most valuable possessions to buy something that is now useless, but they understand that their love for each other is the greatest gift of all.
The story highlights the themes of sacrifice, love, and irony. It shows that true love is about giving, even when it means sacrificing something precious. It also points out the irony of their situation, where both characters give up their most valuable possessions to buy each other something they can no longer use.
The Gift of the Magi is a classic story that continues to resonate with readers today because of its timeless themes and its heartwarming message about the power of love and sacrifice.