Who a jigsaw puzzle suits
A jigsaw puzzle is a gift of an unhurried evening, which is harder to give than it sounds. It suits someone who likes to wind down with their hands busy: a grandparent with a spot by the window, a friend recovering from a long year of screens, or a family that wants something to do together over the holidays.
It is also a good pick for a fan. Puzzles come with film and series artwork, illustrated scenes and maps, so there's usually one that matches something they already love.
What to look for in a jigsaw puzzle
- The picture. They will stare at it for hours, so choose something they'd happily look at. A busy illustrated scene or a map has plenty to latch on to. A sunset sky is a puzzle for the very patient.
- The piece count. Around 500 pieces is a weekend for many people. A 1000-piece puzzle takes a few evenings. Higher counts, such as 2000, are a project that takes over the table for a good while.
- The finished size. It's printed on the box and grows with the piece count. Check they have a surface big enough, with room beside it for the sorted pieces.
- Flat, not 3D. These are traditional jigsaws with interlocking flat pieces. A 3D model kit is a different kind of gift.
If you're not sure, 500 or 1000 pieces suits most people. A first-time puzzler will enjoy 500, and a regular will finish it and ask for more.
When a jigsaw puzzle is the wrong gift
Someone with no spare table, or a cat who treats pieces as toys, may find a puzzle more stressful than relaxing. Someone short on time will see it as another thing waiting on the table. And if they already have a stack of unfinished puzzles, a new one probably isn't what they need.