The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi is a short story by American author O.Henry (pen name of William Sydney Porter) about a couple who each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for each other at Christmas.

The Gift of the Magi tells the story of a poor but loving husband and wife who each sell an item of personal value in order to purchase a Christmas gift for the other. Author O. Henry's "trademark" is to include a twist ending, and in this case, the irony is that each person buys a gift that was meant to compliment the item the other sold. The married couple recognize that the love they have for each other -- and their willingness to sacrifice for the other -- is more important than any tangible gift.

The Gift of the Magi is one of O. Henry's most popular stories, and has been the subject of dozens of adaptations, tributes, and pastiche in many different media in the century since it was first published.

• • Mahalo's Guide to O. Henry
• Wikipedia: O.Henry
• Books and Writers: O. Henry Biography
• The Literature Network: O. Henry Profile and Forum
• Aberstwyth University: O. Henry Biography
• Lone Star Junction: William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) Biography

• The majority of links in the following timeline are to IMDb, which has Pop-ups.

• 1917: The Gift of the Magi

• 1978: The Gift of the Magi

• 1980: The Gift of the Magi