The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories

Many stories have unexpected endings that feel almost like personal signatures. I wonder what parts of his experiences shaped these surprises.

The stories evoke warmth but also a sense of sacrifice and longing. It made me think about how the holiday season is sometimes a mix of joy and melancholy.

Their themes seem perfectly suited for Christmas, but I wonder if O. Henry intended them as holiday stories or if that association developed later.