Ironically, Jim sells off his precious watch, that 'had been his father's and his grandfather's', to buy Della a present for Christmas.

In order to get money for Jim's Christmas gift she sells off her most valuable asset, her hair, and with the money she acquires, buys Jim a platinum chain for his watch. She has only been able to save 'one dollar and eighty-seven cents' which she knows will not be enough to buy Jim a decent Christmas present. Della is keen and eager to buy Jim a present but does not have enough savings to do so.

In spite of the poor earnings of the couple, the two love each other dearly. Della is shown to be a typical and loving homemaker, who tries to save money even from Jim's meager income.

The house itself is a symbol of the paucity and depicts the meager income that Jim earns in order to make both ends meet. 'The Gift of The Magi' is a poignant story about a couple who love and adore each other and the story is set in a simple yet traditional background, where Jim, Della's husband goes out to work and earn a living, whilst Della plays the homely wife, looking after the house and cooking in the kitchen for Jim, her husband.

The gift of the magi author