Beautiful and Fun Christmas Puzzles

A few years ago I started to get into puzzles.

Every Christmas growing up was spent in Idaho at my Grandma Mona’s house where she always had a puzzle set up in the main room. I would help out here or there but never started one on my own.

Over a covid Christmas, I (along with the rest of the world) got into puzzles. The puzzle that started it all was given to me from a friend. It was cute and colorful, but straight-up evil.

The background was a solid pink color, and it was the first time I had to sort puzzle pieces into piles according to their shapes. I was determined to not let that thing be smarter than me. All my thoughts were “you graduated from college, this can’t be that hard” extending to “we know its possible, so its not like given enough time you can’t figure it out”.

Friends, I am telling you I got to the very last piece and it didn’t fit into the last space. I about lost it. I scrutinized every single last piece and none looked like they were in the wrong place.

Want to know how I solved it?

I flipped the entire puzzle over to the back side and noticed a small bit of text across the back. I found the one wrong piece and switched it out.

This particular puzzle came in a glass jar with glue and a scraper to seal it together. I never wanted to see that puzzle again, but I glued it together to save anyone else from the misery of that blasted thing.

Then I threw it away. Like a game of Jumanji that is chained up and thrown into the ocean, this puzzle was being saved from future friends ever having to experience that.

How is that for puzzle trauma? and this is the puzzle if you are curious to see.

Cute young girls playing puzzles at home. Children connecting jigsaw puzzle pieces in a living room table. Kids assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Fun family leisure. Stay at home activity for kids.

What I Look For In Puzzle Designs

So after that dreadful puzzle I decided if I was doing another puzzle it would have to be a fun pattern. That much difficulty causes stress, which is not fun.

I also started a puzzle swap group with some friends and neighbors, with all sorts of funny puzzle stories coming from there too. We have each learned over time, finding our own favorite brands and features of puzzle pictures that we look for when buying a puzzle.

Beautiful Christmas Puzzles

If you are looking for a Christmas puzzle to work on yourself, as a family, or to gift to a puzzle lover in your life, here are my all-time favorite Christmas puzzles.

Christmas Square – 1000 Piece Puzzle

Galison puzzles are one of my favorite for being top notch in both quality of puzzle and pretty designs. This Christmas Square puzzle has a charming village with shops, homes, carolers, a huge Christmas tree, and all the warm fuzzy Christmas scenery.

Snowfall on Park Avenue 1000 Piece Puzzle

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of a New York City Christmas without having to deal with traffic or people! This cute illustration highlights the ultimate winter experience in New York City featuring snow, a lit Christmas tree and holiday shoppers in Michael Storrings Snowfall on Park Avenue 1000

Ugly Christmas Sweaters – 1000 Pieces

This was a great puzzle to do as a family, each of us worked on a couple different sweaters and we could divide and conquer. A fun surprise was the random cut pieces. This was a hit in the puzzle group too!

Christmas Night Lane – 500 Pieces

This springbok puzzle has a traditional charming feel. This brand of puzzles is another fan favorite because they pieces are nice and thick (claimed to have a satisfying snap). The unique cut large pieces are a fun addition as well. No shape is repeated, every piece is unique!

Buffalo Games Churchyard Christmas – 1000 Piece Puzzle

Charles Wysocki Jigsaw Puzzles are what I grew up working on at my Grandma’s house. The images are classic, there are plenty of different scenes going on, and always some fun variety.

Chri stmas In The New York City – 1000 Pieces

Another Galison puzzle drawn by Michael Storrings. This Christmas in The City Puzzle brings the feeling of the season with Rockefeller Center tree and ice skating rink for a fun and colorful puzzle.

Vintage Train Station- 500 Pieces

This is another Charles Wysocki Jigsaw Puzzle called Whistle Stop Christmas that has been enjoyed by the entire puzzle group. The 500 pieces make it a great one to do on your own, or not!

Winter Nights and City Lights Puzzle – 500 pieces

Not only is this the cutest puzzle design, it was drawn by a blog friend! Pippi Post has the most adorable lettering, designs, cards, and more. I was so proud to see her puzzle in Target last year! Support small companies, a mom, and creator! Also, so many fun details – do you see The Shop Around the Corner?