Della, or Mrs. James Dillingham Young, a young housewife in New York City. Deeply in love with her husband, Della is distraught that Christmas Day is imminent and she has but the pittance to spend for a gift for him. Her husband's salary of $20 a week leaves little after living expenses is paid. Although her love for her husband is enough to sustain her even in this abject poverty, not being able to honor her husband with a worthy Christmas gift is simply too much to bear. She is overcome with tears of helplessness, but they pass as inspiration moves her to a creative solution to her dilemma. Della's one prideful possession in the midst of her humble circumstances, her long, lustrous hair, may be the means to secure a present that she can wholeheartedly give her beloved. Her willingness to sacrifice for him bespeaks the depth of her love. James Dillingham Young, Dell's husband. He is a thin, serious young man of twenty-two who bears the burden of supporting his wife and himself on only $20 a week. Times had once been better for Jim. In brighter days, he had brought home $30 a week. A drop in their income has not changed the fact of their love for each other. Ever punctual, Jim may be so part because of one treasure he possesses, a beautiful gold watch that had belonged to his father and his grandfather before him. Slightly embarrassed by its inglorious fold, an old leather strap, Jim often checks the time furtively. He sacrificed the watch to buy combs for Della's hair as his Christmas gift to her. (The Answer would be. They're both worthy of each other's love. For they've both sacrificed many things to show their true feelings in their relationship, on how much they love each other)
<span>Della and Jim are unselfish. They both sacrifice something important to make the other one happy. Della sacrifices her hair, and Jim sacrifices his watch. Their selflessness shows that they have a very loving, happy relationship.</span>
