Sentence 1: Christmas was quickly approaching and James hadn't bought any gifts. 
 Sentence 3: James worked all the overtime hours he could but it wasn't enough 
 Sentence 4:  He collected all of his old DVD's and games and pawned them 
 Sentence 5:  James collected enough money for the gifts he needed to purchase 
 Option 1: His job gave him a pay cut right before the holiday season. 
 Option 2: His job gave him a pay cut right after the holiday season.