Setting puzzle out is a great way to give multiple generations of your family a centerpiece to fiddle over together, and of course, makes a great gift if you are a guest.
Some issues to think about in choosing a Thanksgiving puzzle:
- Will there be enough table space for a big puzzle, or would a smaller puzzle we do on the coffee table in the living room make more sense?
- For most families, choose a puzzle that is easy or average hard so people who don't puzzle find it easy to join in
- A puzzle with distinct color regions makes it easier for different people to find something to work on
Here are a few of our top picks and why:
Every Little Thing - 352 pieces ($87)
- New in September 2022, so people unlikely to have done it
- Lots of fun whimsies
- Different color regions for different people and a straight edge people can work on
- A good meaty after-dinner or before-dinner project for 3-6 people
Italy Map - 385 pieces ($100)
- Reminisce and dream together about travel
- New in August 2022, so people unlikely to have done it
- Lots of fun whimsies
- Different color regions for different people and a straight edge people can work on
- A good meaty after-dinner or before-dinner project for 3-8 people
Circle of Time - 220 pieces ($62)
- Can be done in an hour or two by 2-4 people before or after the meal
- Cheery artwork that appeals to kids and adults
- Distinct parts of the image for different people to work on
- Fun whimsies
Joe Vaux Garden of Earthly Delights (619 pieces, $150)
- Great puzzle for 5+ people to work on at the same time
- Amusing artwork if you are trying to engage young adults (note, some cartoon naked people and cartoon hell)
- Easy "sort these colors" activities for children and elders who aren't up to actual puzzling
- Lots of details and whimsies to enjoy
Riders on the Storm (523 pieces, $120)
- Enough distinct color regions (and straight edge) to keep 5+ people happy puzzling at once
- Easy "sort these colors" activities for children and elders who aren't up to actual puzzling
- Super fun whimsies and connector shapes make it easy but charming
- New in April 2022
Ecru Puzzles Weekend in Sommersby - 355 pieces ($102)
This other cheery Iwona Lifsches puzzle is bright and cheerful and engaging for all-ages, and because it's Ecru it has a matte finish that is easier on the eyes.
Ecru Puzzles - Jethro Buck Forest - 285 pieces ($89)
If your gathering is mostly adults, this is a particularly nice one, with lots of distinct regions for each person to work on.
And this is an Ecru Puzzle so it has a matte image which is easier on the eyes.
Rekunenko Swordfight - 439 pieces ($107)
If your family is up for more of a challenging puzzle, this one is pretty hard because the connectors repeat, but it also works well as a group puzzle with lots of different colors for different people to work on.
The painter is Ukrainian, but up to you if you want to get into Ukraine war politics with your family! (This puzzle came out in March 2022).
Ecru Puzzles Richard Friend Limberlost Woods - 355 pieces ($112)
An Ecru puzzle so has a matte image to be easier on the eyes, this is a good puzzle if you have lots of adults puzzling together as it's basically 100 separate matching games:
Or is your family the kind of intellectuals who like to learn new things? For an educational puzzling experience, consider our other Liv Wan map puzzles,
All our Liv Wan Map puzzles all came out in 2022 are each $100 and ~400 pieces, and are all good for group puzzling with lots of neat themed whimsies.
Lastly, if your family are serious puzzlers and you want the mother-of-all group puzzling experiences, check out:
Botanical Dreaming: 1,273 pieces ($250), new in April 2022. But don't expect to finish it before dinner's ready!