It’s that time of year when I take stock of my puzzle hoard and consider what else to add to the mix. Normally, I take my cue from chillier weather but it’s been a much warmer fall than usual. Still, the temperature will continue to drop in the coming weeks—and it feels like the daylight is already gone—so I want to be prepared to have all of our winter distractions/coping mechanisms on hand.
I’ve been surveying the new jigsaw puzzle options available for this next year and taken the time to organize which ones to keep on my puzzle shelves and which to pass along to puzzle enthusiasts who might appreciate them more.
Because puzzles make great gifts, we keep some unopened ones on hand should an unexpected gifting need arise. A puzzle mat makes a nice add-on for a puzzle present. A mat or board makes it easy to move puzzles-in-progress from a prominent surface like a coffee table to somewhere out of the way: we are constantly moving our puzzle board down to our low coffee table and then back to a higher table when we’re no longer focused on the puzzle. I know we’re not the only ones interested in preventing curious pets from stealing or chewing on pieces, not that Daisy would ever dream of doing such a thing (ahem).
This roundup of puzzles is a great way to treat yourself or someone you love. I hope you enjoy perusing them as much as I did!
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Holiday puzzles
Nautilus Puzzles Ice Skaters at Rockefeller Center, 249 pieces. The next best thing to taking in the ice skating scene at Rockefeller is completing this wooden puzzle.
True South Holiday Doormats, 500 pieces. Sometimes I like an easy puzzle, whether that means a lower piece count or a particularly workable design. This punny doormat puzzle is easier on both counts.
Wentworth Wooden Puzzles NYC Christmas Markets, 40-1000 pieces. What I wouldn’t give to magically transport myself into this festive scene. (I appreciate how Wentworth lets you choose your piece count on this design.)
Galison Northern Lights, 1000 pieces. We have several of Galison’s foil-accented holiday puzzles: I enjoy both the designs and the workability (that is, all the pieces fit just right). This beautiful design includes shimmering foil accents in the sky.
EuroGraphics Holiday Dogs, Christmas Puppies, 1000 pieces. A joy-boosting seasonal selection for dog-lovers.
Nautilus Puzzles 2026 Puzzle Advent Calendar, 688 pieces. This wooden puzzle advent calendar is one of a kind. Each day, you’re able to put one section together as the image slowly reveals itself. It’s not cheap but it will be a real keepsake.
Bookish puzzles
Pippi Post Avonlea, 500 pieces. Pippi Post just landed on my radar a few years ago and it’s like their puzzles are made for me! This wonderful map of Avonlea depicts Green Gables, Blythe Orchard, Lake of Shining Waters, and more.
Laurence King The World of Agatha Christie: and Then There Were None, 1000 pieces. Test your Agatha Christie knowledge with this clue-filled puzzle.
Pomegranate The Reading Woman, 1000 pieces. This is a real work of art, depicting Lucius Rossi’s painting Young Woman Reading.
Liberty Puzzles Do Not Disturb, 413 pieces. I wonder how many book spines are on here. I love Liberty Puzzles. Don’t be deceived by the relatively low piece count: if my past experience with Liberty’s designs is any indication, this puzzle will be incredibly challenging … but the kind of challenge I’ll enjoy. (If you’ve never worked a Liberty puzzle—or even if you have—check out the shapes of the pieces for this bookish puzzle!)
Galison The Gilded Spine, 1000 pieces. An autumnal bookstore scene with shimmering foil details.
Graphinee Art Table, 1000 pieces. Disregard the name: what you need to know is that the subject of this brilliantly colored puzzle is books, tea, and flowers. Gorgeous!
Flora and fauna puzzles
Ravensburger Flower Market, France, 500 pieces. I could lose myself in this flower stall for hours. Since I can’t teleport there in the wintry months, I’ll let this puzzle take me away.
Terrain Around the World in 50 Birds, 1000 pieces. Calling all birders! (Pun intended.)
Cavallini & Co. Ocean Flora, 1000 pieces. I love Cavallini’s vintage designs; this particular design is pleasantly unlike that of any other puzzles in my puzzling cabinet.
Liberty Puzzles Foxgloves and Alliums, 160 pieces. I’m often drawn to a particular puzzle design because of the colors: if I’m going to spend a long time staring at the pieces, I want the colors to make me happy! This one delivers. (This would make a gorgeous keepsake.)
Destinations puzzles
True South Great Lakes, 500 pieces. I really like this one! I haven’t seen another one like it. I’d enjoy working it myself; it would also make a great gift for anyone with regional ties.
Martin Schwartz Cityscape Illustration of Copenhagen, 1000 pieces. I first scouted this puzzle brand—and this specific design—when I was in Copenhagen and Hamburg in 2024. I wanted to bring one back with me, but since I didn’t have room in my suitcase, I intended to order one once I got back to the States. Alas, they weren’t available to U.S. customers! I am THRILLED to see they’re now available. I love these for the unique designs unlike anything in my puzzle cabinet and intricate architectural details.
Cavallini & Co. National Parks 2, 1000 pieces. This Cavallini design featuring some of our favorite national parks rendered as postcards and stamps is visually interesting and pleasantly straightforward to work when I’m in that kind of mood.
Gray Malin Chairlift Pups Aspen, 1000 pieces. These dogs are ready to ski down the mountain. Gahhh they’re cute!
Cavallini & Co. Map of London, 1000 pieces. I love a map! Especially a map of someplace I’ve been, or would like to visit, or am itching to get back to.
Miscellaneous puzzles
Galison Mahjong Social, 1000 pieces. Completely catering to the mahjong fandom. I love this design.
Ravensburger Puzzle Moments: Lily, 200 pieces. I’m intrigued by this “puzzle moment” idea: just 200 pieces so you can work it in one sitting.
Liberty Puzzles Dinner Party, 254 pieces. I’ve never seen a design quite like this: it looks like a work of art.
Piecework Puzzle Bon Voyage, 1000 pieces. I love Piecework’s exuberant designs. Work on this puzzle when you wish you were packing for your next vacation.
Do you have any recent puzzles you recommend? I’d love to hear about your favorite puzzles in the comments.
P.S. Replenish your jigsaw puzzle stash with these 25 puzzles, 25 beautiful and engaging jigsaw puzzles for the winter days, plus 20 favorite board games to beat the rainy (or chilly) day blues. And for a different kind of puzzle satisfaction: The joy (and nerdery) of a crossword puzzle routine.
6 comments
Anne, have you done any of the Magic Puzzle Company puzzles? They’re so much fun!
Not yet—I appreciate the recommendation!
A couple of years ago I bought a great National Geographic jigsaw map of Great Britain.
That sounds right up my alley!
Thank you for mentioning Liberty Puzzles. These wooden laser-cut puzzles are magnificent in their hidden shapes and gorgeous designs. Our family has a collection, which we rotate and share on regular occasions. They are family treasures.