Unit 5. Practice 2 (Christmas Presents)

Summary

The story centers on Jim and Della Young, a young couple facing financial hardship but eager to give each other meaningful Christmas gifts. Della sacrifices her long, beautiful hair to sell for money to buy Jim a gold watch chain, while Jim sells his prized pocket watch to buy Della a jeweled comb for her hair. Their love and sacrifices highlight the true meaning of Christmas—selfless giving, where their thoughtful gifts symbolize their deep affection for each other despite their poverty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jim and Della were a newly married, poor couple living in New York with limited resources.
• 😀 Della had long, beautiful hair, and Jim owned a magnificent gold pocketwatch, both valuable possessions for them.
• 😀 As Christmas approached, both Jim and Della wanted to buy each other a meaningful gift, but they couldn't afford anything expensive.
• 😀 Della was saddened by the old leather strap on Jim's watch, wishing she could get him a gold chain for it.
• 😀 Jim often admired Della's hair and wished he could buy her a jeweled comb to enhance its beauty.
• 😀 Both Jim and Della wanted to show their love through a gift, despite not having enough money for their desires.
• 😀 Della sold her hair to a shop for $15 to afford the gold watch chain for Jim's pocketwatch.
• 😀 Jim sold his pocketwatch to buy a jeweled comb for Della's hair.
• 😀 On Christmas Eve, Della wrapped the gold watch chain and anxiously awaited Jim’s reaction when he came home.
• 😀 Jim, upon receiving the gift, revealed he had also sold his watch to buy Della a comb for her hair, leading to both of them laughing through tears.
• 😀 Despite the sacrifices, both Jim and Della felt that their love and the thought behind the gifts made them the best Christmas presents in the world.

Q & A

What is the primary theme of the story?

The primary theme of the story is love and sacrifice. Della and Jim, despite their poverty, make personal sacrifices to give each other meaningful Christmas presents.

What were Jim and Della's financial situation like?

Jim and Della were poor. Jim's wage was barely enough to rent a small apartment, and they had limited funds to buy gifts for each other.

What did Della do to afford a gift for Jim?

Della sold her long, beautiful hair to a shop that buys hair, in exchange for $15, which she used to buy a gold chain for Jim's watch.

What was Jim's prized possession, and how did it play a role in the story?

Jim’s prized possession was a gold pocket watch, given to him by his father. He cherished it deeply, and Della noticed that the watch was attached to a simple leather strap, which she felt needed to be replaced with a gold chain.

Why did Della feel sad when she looked at Jim’s watch?

Della felt sad because Jim’s watch, which he valued so much, was attached to a common leather strap instead of a beautiful gold chain. She wanted to buy him a proper chain to make the watch look better.

What sacrifice did Jim make to give Della a gift?

Jim sold his gold pocket watch to buy Della a jeweled comb for her hair, which he thought would be a perfect gift for her.

What sacrifice did Della make to give Jim a gift?

Della sold her long hair to a shop in order to raise money to buy a gold chain for Jim’s watch, even though her hair was one of her most valued features.

What was Jim's reaction when he received his gift from Della?

Jim was initially speechless and then laughed, realizing the irony that both he and Della had sacrificed something valuable to buy each other gifts. He was touched but also amused by the situation.

How did Della react when Jim showed her the comb?

Della was moved by Jim’s gift but also realized the sacrifice he made. She gave him a brave smile, acknowledging that their sacrifices made their gifts the best Christmas presents in the world.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Ours are the best Christmas presents in the world'?

The phrase highlights the deep love and selflessness shared between Jim and Della. Even though their gifts were rendered useless by their respective sacrifices, the true value of the presents lay in the sacrifices they made for each other.