Della and Jim are deeply in love, but they are also incredibly poor. They desperately want to buy each other Christmas gifts, but their lack of money presents a significant obstacle. This financial struggle forces them to make difficult choices, ultimately leading to the story's ironic twist.
Here's how the conflict plays out:
* The problem: Della and Jim are too poor to afford the gifts they want for each other.
* The struggle: Both characters sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for the other. Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della combs for her hair.
* The resolution: Although they ultimately buy each other useless gifts due to their poverty, their sacrifice shows the depth of their love.
The external conflict of poverty creates the central dilemma of the story, driving the characters' actions and ultimately leading to the poignant and ironic ending.