The Gift of the Magi — Practice Quiz

A platinum fob chain

After selling her hair, Della searched the stores and found 'a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation.' The chain cost $21, using almost all her money from the hair sale. She chose this gift because Jim's watch had an old leather strap instead of a proper chain, and she wanted him to have something worthy of his precious family heirloom. The platinum chain represents quality and understated elegance, matching Jim's character.

A set of combs

Jim's gift for Della was 'The Combs - the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped for long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims.' These were expensive combs that Della had admired but never hoped to own. Jim had noticed her longing for them and sold his precious watch to buy them for her. The irony is that these beautiful combs were meant for the very hair that Della had sold to buy his gift, creating the central ironic situation of the story.

He sold his watch

Jim reveals at the end: 'I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.' This creates the perfect irony of the story - both Jim and Della sacrificed their most prized possessions to buy gifts that complement the other's treasure. Jim sold his grandfather's gold watch (which he was very proud of) to buy the combs for Della's beautiful hair. This parallel sacrifice shows the depth of their love and creates the story's central message about the true meaning of gift-giving.

Three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus

The glossary explains that 'the Magi were the wise men who brought gifts to the new born Jesus. According to the Bible, the Magi were three kings (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) who travelled to Bethlehem from somewhere in the East (probably Persia).' O. Henry uses this reference to compare Jim and Della to the Magi. Just as the Magi brought wise gifts to Jesus, Jim and Della gave wise gifts to each other - not because the physical gifts were useful, but because they represented pure love and sacrifice.