The festive season is round the corner and everyone seems to be thronging the stores in a flurry of frenzied shopping. After all, Christmas is the season for giving and sharing… and telling people you love how much they mean to you. What better way to say this than by selecting a unique Christmas gift with care!
As I was busying up getting my gift list ready, the touching story of caring and gifting came to my mind, flashing back from the days of my childhood when I had first read this short story ‘Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry. It never fails to fill me with a warm feeling each time I read it. Allow me to present a short synopsis here since it would definitely serve as chicken soup for the shopping souls.
It is the story of a poor couple Jim and Della who didn’t have enough money to buy each other a gift for Christmas. They lived in impoverished conditions and all that they had to be proud of was Jim’s gold watch, given to him by his grandfather. Della had beautiful hair, hair that would have put Rapunzel to shame.
Della had tried to save a few pennies but that could hardly have got her anything for Jim. She checked out a thin gold chain that would look perfect on Jim’s gold watch. The price deterred her. As she was peering through the crowded storefront, she caught sight of her beautiful hair in the window. She made up her mind at once. She sold her mane to a hair store that bought it for a good price. Clutching the gold chain in hand, she walked back home, eager to show Jim the gift.
As she walked in home, James gave a look of dismay when he saw her. In her enthusiasm, Della didn’t notice it and showed him the beautiful gold chain. She asked to see his watch so that the new chain could be fastened. Jim didn’t have it as he had sold the watch to buy Della a gift for Christmas. The gaily-wrapped gift was still in his hand. When opened, it revealed a set of exquisite tortoise shell combs for Della’s long hair.
The story is named after the Biblical Magi, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh at the birth of Christ. In modern times, we all need to pick up unique Christmas gifts, gifts that will bring a smile, gifts that will gladden the heart. In much the same way, pick up unique Christmas gift ideas from our informative articles:
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