In a poorly furnished flat in New York City, Della despairs as she counts the few miserable coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. It seems that a gift worthy of her love will require a very great sacrifice—selling her most treasured possession, her long, beautiful hair. For Della, Jim has made a sacrifice no less great.

And as they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the mutual discovery of what they have done fills them with despair—at least at first. Happily, the true gifts of Christmas—devotion, sacrifice, and love—are to be found more readily in this humble apartment than in any fine store.

"Let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest."

O. Henry paints a masterly portrait of an unfaltering love, a sweet haven from the harsh world outside. The power and poignancy of this famous story is perfectly captured in P.J. Lynch's eloquent art—every glance, every gesture, telling a subtle truth.

From the dust jacket