Finished Your Jigsaw? Swap It With Friends and Double the Fun

If you've finished a jigsaw puzzle, before you put it in the cupboard, leave it out., There might be another option for you and the completed puzzle ...

It is a wonderful moment when the last piece clicks into place. You stand back and admire it. Maybe you take a photo. Then comes the question: what now?

Our suggestion is simple. Share it around.

That's right. Don't put it in the cupboard. Give it to friends.

Swap with friends or another family

Once you’ve finished a puzzle, offer it to a friend, a neighbour or another family. They do yours and you do theirs.

It’s a small idea with a big payoff. The jigsaw you bought keeps giving. Another household gets hours of low-cost, healthy entertainment. And you get a fresh puzzle to start, without spending a cent.

Do that a few times and one purchase turns into many nights in, across many homes.

More friends along the way

Puzzlers are like that. Hand someone a jigsaw and you’ll usually get a chat about how they went. Which section drove them mad. Whether they did the sky first or left it till last.

Swaps give you a reason to drop in, catch up and compare notes. For anyone living alone, or new to an area, that can mean a lot. It’s an easy way to meet people who share a quiet, happy hobby.

Some groups take it further and run a regular swap circle. Each person brings a finished puzzle, takes one home and comes back next month with a story.

Tips for a good jigsaw swap

• Check it’s complete. Count the pieces or check the finished picture for gaps before you pass it on.
• Bag the pieces. A zip-lock bag inside the box stops strays escaping.
• Be honest. If a piece is missing, say so. Most puzzlers won’t mind, as long as they know.
• Add a note. Write your name and a tip inside the lid. It’s fun to see who else has done it.
• Mix it up. Swap with people who like different styles. It’s a good way to discover ranges you might not try yourself.

Healthy for everyone involved

Every swap passes on the same benefits. A jigsaw works the brain, keeps hands and fingers moving and gives the mind a calm break from screens and worry. Sharing your puzzle means sharing all of that.

Start your swap with a new jigsaw

Jigsaws Australia is a family owned Australian business. We sell new jigsaws only, packed carefully and sent to your door. From Blue Opal’s Australian scenes to Pomegranate’s fine art and the busy illustrations of House of Puzzles, there’s something to suit every puzzler in your circle.

Browse the range at www.jigsawsaustralia.com.au. Buy one, finish it, then pass it on.