It wouldn’t be Christmas without watching a family member slave over a jigsaw puzzle for days on end - only to realise the final piece has been eaten by the dog.
Piecing together a jigsaw puzzle is a great way to unwind during the Christmas mayhem. There’s something so wholesome about unboxing a brand new puzzle, pouring out all the individual pieces onto the table and setting aside an hour or two to cautiously stitch the image together.
Gathering together to slot together the segments is a stellar way to spend time with the family. They say that many hands make light work, and that is certainly the case when it comes to jigsaw puzzles
However, some prefer to go it alone. Perhaps it’s a pride thing or maybe they need some unaccompanied R&R. Either way, whether you’re working as a team or solo, nothing comes close to the satisfaction of popping the final piece of the puzzle in and stepping back to marvel at the completed picture staring back at you.
This is a feeling adored by many. Kylie Jenner admitted that she spent a lot of time doing puzzles during her first pregnancy, while self-professed #puzzlelover Kate Hudson shared a glimpse into some time away from set completing a large puzzle at home. Even Hugh Jackman couldn't resist the appeal of the puzzle, exposing his inner artiste online by showcasing a painterly Van Gogh puzzle he was yet to finish via Instagram. Our favourite celebrity puzzle-bonded pairing, however, goes to Jamie Dornan and Stanley Tucci, who were happily pictured together tackling a puzzle while enjoying a glass of wine by the fire.
Like Dornan and Tucci, puzzles and Christmas go together perfectly. Brands such as Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and Galison take the opportunity to dole out the decorative puzzles each year, displaying festive scenes and wholesome snapshots of Yuletide merriment.
From ice-skating couples in Time Square to gilded Christmas carousels, knit-clad pets and palatial countryside vistas, there’s a romantic Christmas scene for all to immerse themselves in.
Browse the best Christmas puzzles to enjoy with the family below.
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Galison Fireside Friends Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 Pieces
Dive in at the deep end with a 1000-piece puzzle. Galison’s charming image of two pets curled up by the fire framed by stockings is a warming image to carefully piece together on a rainy day.
Buy now £15.99, John Lewis
Liberty Tudor Building Shaped Jigsaw Puzzle, 750 Pieces
Recreate the magic of Liberty at Christmas time with the store's beautiful jigsaw puzzle. With its iconic Tudor architecture, twinkling lights and intricately carved panels and pillars, the London emporium will provide hours of entertainment.
Buy now £30.00, Liberty
Lavievert Snow Christmas Night Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 Pieces
Piece together the wonder of the Northern Lights in this snowy scene. From the violet skies to amber crystals and a crimson red sleight, there’s plenty to admire when a moment of quiet is called for.
Buy now £13.99, Amazon
Joy Laforme Sparkling City Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 Pieces
City-dwellers will love this sparkling metropolis scene. Watch ice skaters dance on the rink while encircled by towering skyscrapers and bustling candle-lit streets.
Buy now £15.63, WH Smith
Galison Winter Dogs Jigsaw Puzzle, 500 Pieces
A smaller conquest for beginners, Galison’s pup-tastic puzzle will delight animal lovers. Build Christmas jumper-sporting Scotties, beanie-bearing Afghan hounds and ear-muffed Labradors among other friendly breeds.
Buy now £12.99, John Lewis
Tektalk Times Square in Christmas Wooden Puzzle Jigsaw, 1000 Pieces
Get lost in a buzzing New York scene. Slowly stitch together nuggets of the cityscape, from the flashing commercial-clad lights to the illuminated Christmas tree.
Buy now £21.78, Amazon
Fortnum & Mason The Christmas Carousel Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 Pieces
Immerse yourself in a retro scene by Barbara Behr, a German artist with a penchant for Victorian scrap design. This inherently nostalgic piece depicts children joyously riding an old-fashioned carousel as Father Christmas arrives bearing gifts.
Buy now £22.00, Fortnum & Mason
Blenheim Palace North Gates Christmas Jigsaw, 750 Pieces
Explore the epic grounds of Blenheim Palace. The historic Oxfordshire-based site sits behind a pair of beautiful gilded gates and is coated in glistening snow.
Buy now £19.95, Blenheim Palace
Cancer Research Christmas Village Jigsaw Puzzle, 1000 Piece
Buy better this Christmas and support Cancer Research while you shop. The charity’s cheery Christmas puzzle depicts an animated winter wonderland filled with families and furry friends.
Buy now £6.99, Cancer Research
Nest Jigsaw Library: A Christmas Carol, 252 Piece
Gift a literature lover with a petite puzzle this season. Based on the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol, this 252-piece double-sided jigsaw puzzle will keep family members preoccupied for hours on end.
Buy now £15.95, NOTHS
