14 Pleasing Puzzle Gifts To Pass The Time Your Giftee Would Have Spent Doom-Scrolling
Last Updated December 17, 2020, 4:29 PM
If you've been gearing up for an unusual holiday season, you aren't the only one. We too have been passing the time counting down to 2021 on the sourdough baking train while hate-binging Emily in Paris in our bathrobe, and we've come to the conclusion that good ol' fashioned time-sucks are what's making this year bearable. Hence why a puzzle is 2020's no-fail, crowd-pleasing present du jour. Firstly, it comes in a box ready to be wrapped and sent to your giftee, second, it's relatively affordable, and last but certainly not least, it offers a stressless, lo-fi way for our loved ones to concentrate on something other than whatever Doomsday scenario might currently be unfolding in the world around us (aka unwind).
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There's never been a better time than now to find the perfect puzzle to complement your unique relationships. Whether it's with a customized picture or supporting female artists by way of framable puzzle masterpieces, there's absolutely no going wrong with these thoughtful presents.
Let us further convince you of the power of the puzzle with these 14 eye-catching items.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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300-Piece Hidden Waterfalls Puzzle by Calm
The Calm App recently produced a collection of mindful puzzles meant for stress relief. Each puzzle also contains a 30-day subscription to the app so you can listen to peaceful audio while you assemble.
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Ordinary Habit Indian Garden by Bodil Jane
This 500-piece puzzle by Ordinary Habit (a mother-daughter duo-led biz), adapts a vibrant scene illustrated by UK-based artist Bodil Jane into a framable work of art that must be tended to for hours before it's frame-ready! This puzzle comes at a price, but trust, your giftee will receive quite the package on arrival. Each puzzle is made of recycled materials and comes in a drawstring cloth bag with a postcard of the artwork. Proceeds of every order are donated to The Loveland Foundation, which brings opportunity and healing to Black women and girls. A gift in a gift, indeed.
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The Met Collection's Spring in Central Park by Adolph Dehn Puzzle
This puzzle, a recreation of watercolor painter-lithographer Adolf Dehn, is an exciting way to engage with the arts from the comfort of your own living room. Created by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the 1000 piece puzzle is meant to tantalize its viewer and draw its attention to the intricate details of the original painting. It also makes for an ideal gift for anyone who loves Central Park in the Spring or The MET at any time of year. Give the gift of a perfect view since most of us have been seeing lots of the same scenery.
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Chronicle Books Lego Ice Cream Dream 1000 Piece Puzzle
This sweet puzzle is a great way to get the whole group engaged in a full night of fun. Yes, even that friend that claims not to enjoy doing puzzles. It reveals a rainbow of colors and flavors when put together and is definitely rewarding, considering it's one of the larger puzzles in our collection. Spread out with some snacks on your dining table and come back to it all week long for a little fun throughout the day.
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Jiggy Dog Mom Puzzle
This puzzle is designed by Alja Horvat, a Natural Sciences and Engineering student in Slovenia (specific, we know!). That's because Jiggy, a woman-owned and founded brand aims to highlight other female artists in design. By showcasing their featured artists' personal backgrounds, Jiggy has created a connection between designer and customer that few brands have managed to today. Plus, they're carbon neutral and are working to make the world a less wasteful place. Each puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes a tube of puzzle glue, a straight-edge tool for spreading, and a print of the art. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
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Dowdle Cats Around The World
The concept for this puzzle, which was thought up by the artist's youngest son, is as timeless as it is comical. If ever there was a time to give the gift of a folk art cat puzzle, it's now. Featuring 12 different countries folk culture, depicted by cats, Dowdle, an iconic puzzle maker, takes entertainment to the next level with their latest creation. As they so thoughtfully mention in the puzzle's instruction sheet, cats are the most popular pet in the world at a 3-1 ratio. Why not take home a few more?
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Piecework Disco Queen Puzzle
This 500-piece puzzle will keep you partying all night long, except indoors and with a glass of wine instead of at a crammed bar with an overpriced vodka soda. Created as a respite from our work-obsessed culture and addiction to screens, Piecework was made by women to encourage downtime in all its forms. It's the voice in your head telling you to put down your phone and turn up the music (namely, the playlist Piecework curates for each puzzle), because that's when the fun starts. So pop some bubbly, pop open a puzzle, or both.
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Golden Girls 1000 Piece Puzzle
This 1000 piece puzzle is sure to be the standout gift amongst your friend's holiday gift swap this year. It's perfect for any Golden Girl's fan or item collector and will keep you and favorite puzzlers busy for days. If you're looking for a reason to be detached from the news cycle or even just unwind after a long work week with no distractions, throw in a cheesecake and this puzzle may just be a perfect night in the making.
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Dusen Dusen x Areaware Pattern Puzzle
Creator Ellen Van Dusen of Duse Dusen's line of geometric eye-popping and people-pleasing fashion and home decor collaborated with the folks at Areaware to create some good time puzzles and toys. Each style takes into account shape, color, and contrast to create a challenging, yet captivating puzzle that can span anywhere from a few nights to a week. Trust us, you'll want to pace it out, since looking forward to making progress on a corner is a certified weeknight (hey, even weekend) activity.
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Ridley's Endangered Animals Jigsaw Puzzle
1000-piece fun for the whole fam with some education to boot. This puzzle comes in a very giftable cylinder box featuring a beautifully illustrated map with endangered animals and the types of threats they face in their habitats. Children and adults will enjoy this learning experience that unfolds with each puzzle piece.
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Shutterfly Upload Your Own Design Puzzle
This puzzle comes in sizes ranging from 60 pieces to 1000+ so they make perfect gifts for loved ones of all ages. Turn a picture into a fun project and let the memories go on and on. If you've been thinking of giving the gift of a framed picture this holiday season, this may just be the upgrade you're looking for. Plus, your friends and family will appreciate that you're thinking outside the box and there's a good chance they won't be able to guess what you're giving them this year.
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Printworks Dawn 500 Piece Puzzle
What's more relaxing than watching the sunrise? With this puzzle, you'll be able to do just that and likely stay a lot warmer than you would if you were watching it outside. The Swedish brand, Printworks, designed their Sky Series puzzles with the concept of everchanging skies in mind so you can connect with nature, even while you're inside. It's as mesmerizing as it is stimulating. Feel the cool breeze as you work your way up through the gradient of the sky.
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Seltzer Greyhound Library Puzzle
This 500 piece puzzle is as fun to look at as it is to put together. The artist, Kiki Ljung, is a full-time illustrator living in Barcelona and created whimsical scenes, such as the one depicted in her excentric Greyhound Library puzzle. The attention to detail that she produces makes for entirely new and unique places that we want to be a part of and we think your people could, too. It's a great gift for art book lovers and dog lovers, alike, and it's made with 100% recycled cardboard and eco-friendly inks, so it's a gift to the environment, too.
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Design Milk Iridescent Waves Puzzle
This jigsaw puzzle may only be 49 pieces, but don't let that trick you into thinking it isn't a challenge. It's made from acrylic, setting it apart from the other puzzles, mostly made from paper and cardboard, and its iridescent coloring gives the puzzle a whole different feel. Without a pattern to guide you, this puzzle is all about finding the right fit. It's a great way to tell someone in your life how well they fit into yours.Shop Design Milk
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