“The Gift of the Magi” by O'HenryO. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" is about a couple who recklessly sacrifice the greatest treasures of their home for each other. The story takes place on Christmas Eve in a furnished apartment at eight dollars a week. I feel like the narrator makes fun of Jim and Della because they are poor. “It's not hard to describe, but it certainly had that word looking for the beggar squad.” (O. Henry 165). Della and Jim's income dropped from thirty to twenty dollars a week, causing them quite a few financial problems. Both are worried because tomorrow is Christmas and they can't afford to buy a nice present. Jim's gold watch and Della's hair play an important role in the story. James Dillingham Young, also known as “Della” in this story. Della is in her early twenties and married to Mr. James Dillingham Young known as "Jim". Della is very thin and seems to move quickly. “Her hair reached below her knees and almost turned into a garment for her.” (O. Henry 166). Della is very proud of her hair. "If the Queen of Sheba had lived in the apartment on the other side of the air vent, Della would have left her hair out the window to dry, only to devalue Her Majesty's jewels and gifts." (O. Henry 166). Della wanted to buy Jim an expensive present for Christmas. "Save pennies one or two at a time by demolishing the grocer, the greengrocer, and the butcher until your cheeks burn with the silent accusation of thrift that such close trade implied." (O.Henry 165). At Christmas he had saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents. She was so upset that she only had a dollar and eighty-seven cents to buy a… half a piece of paper… or a million a year – what's the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. “(O. Henry 168). The irony is that a million dollars a year would be spent quickly and you would lose it faster than eight dollars a week. “And here I have feebly told you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in an apartment who in the most imprudent manner sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house.” (O. Henry 168). The irony is that they both sacrificed and gave each other a gift and neither of them can use it. Their sacrifice for each other shows how much they love each other. The irony of the end of the story is that even though their gifts were not wise because they both cannot use them, they sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their home, which is their true treasure. mutual love, making him the wisest. They are the Magi.