how best to puzzle

October 28, 2023 8:29 PM

My family likes jigsaw puzzles, but with quite specific parameters. What's the best/cheapest way for us to get our fix?

We like brightly colored puzzles of about 750 pieces, with patterns that themselves are not inherently frustrating. Like this and this. So like if you were just sitting down in front of it for a few minutes, you could reasonably expect to place a piece or two, and if you gave it your attention, you could make significant progress in an hour.

I understand there are puzzle clubs, where you subscribe and they send you some number per month, or maybe you rent them and then return them. Have you tried anything like this? How do they make sure they aren't missing pieces?

Also, is there another source for new ones of these that you can recommend? I'm reluctant to buy used because I don't trust them not to have pieces missing.

posted by fingersandtoes to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

Around here, both the game store and the library have puzzles you can check out and return for free; might be worth a look? And there's https://puzzleswaps.com/
posted by The otter lady at 8:59 PM on October 28, 2023 [1 favorite]

There's Little Free Libraries that specialize in puzzles now, and yeah, also libraries. But that said, I can't guarantee pieces don't go missing.
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:50 PM on October 28, 2023 [1 favorite]

My jigsaw daughters just bought a 1000pc Ravensburger in a charity shop for 25% list price. All present and correct as it turns out. Their position is a) that doing the puzzle twice is halving the footprint b) if the box looks new assume donors acted in good faith c) a missing piece is not the end of the world.
posted by BobTheScientist at 2:19 AM on October 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

I'd see if your library has a Library of Things with jigsaws to check out. In my experience, library users are conscientious about not damaging or losing parts to Things.

If you're near a Dollar Tree, they sell puzzles for both kids and adults, but I'm not sure they go as large as 750 pieces. The largest I usually see is 500 or so.
posted by champers at 4:27 AM on October 29, 2023

Join your local Buy Nothing or Freecycle group. Mine have tons of puzzles that circulate through the groups.
posted by XtineHutch at 5:49 AM on October 29, 2023 [4 favorites]

Also look around for puzzle swaps which have become a thing. I see them listed on Facebook and in my local Reddit.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:27 AM on October 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: - Local library, YES.
- Facebook has a puzzle swap group near me that I use to great effect; definitely worth a search.
- BuyNothing groups are great for this as well - both asking and offering those you are done with.

In all 3 of these cases people are usually forthcoming about pieces missing or not, since they are all your neighbors (in some sense) there is an added layer of accountability. A little farther afield, look on eBay or Etsy for "new in box."

My best recommendation though is to call or visit your local game stores. They are plugged in to this aspect of your community and may have very specific recommendations for you.
posted by nkknkk at 8:16 AM on October 29, 2023 [2 favorites]

Yes, I have seen a few puzzles on my BuyNothing group. I'm a gamer though, and my puzzler family members have more than enough for when they puzzle. I am a thrifter, and see tons of puzzles with the games. Lost pieces are a bummer, for sure, (probably worse for puzzles than for the games I buy, as I have probably another copy with parts).

I'd guess there are puzzle-people websites, that probably have local groups?

Libraries and game stores certainly.

(p.s. If anyone is in seattle and needs games, send me a memail...)

Aside: I sort of enjoy the concept of puzzles. But there is just too much frustration. "There can't be this many pieces with those colors!!! Why won't any fit!!!"
posted by Windopaene at 11:37 AM on October 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Weirdly, the Barnes and Noble near me has a tremendous collection of jigsaw puzzles. It's not going to be your super cheap option but there's a selection, at least.
posted by restless_nomad at 12:41 PM on October 29, 2023

The thrift store in my mom's town was the circulator of puzzles. People would write their initials in the box to know they'd already done that one, and they'd track any missing pieces, too.
posted by hoyland at 1:27 AM on October 30, 2023

Best answer: I would join a Facebook group for puzzle enthusiasts in your region. There is likely to be a group for buying and selling, but it could just be a group for puzzle fans who trade informally. Jigsaw puzzles accumulate quickly and take up space, so there is a huge and reputable social media resale market, at least here in the UK. People in these groups are much more concerned with making sure the pieces are all present, probably bagged up inside the box for extra safety. Then when you're done you can sell, trade or give your puzzle back to the group.
posted by guessthis at 4:31 AM on October 30, 2023