His choice to sell his watch for combs is ironic since it would end up being a waste, since Della ended up cutting her hair to get him something for his watch. So neither of them had any use for the gifts they got each other.
In “The Gift of the Magi”, the husband decides to buy Della a new comb. But, when he arrives home notices that Della has not long hair anymore. His decision of selling his watch to buy the comb results in an useless purchase. However, thanks to this, both realized that there are more importants things to think of.
