What to Do With Jigsaw Puzzles When Finished?
Source: Freepik
After hours, or even days of hard work, you’ve finally conquered your jigsaw puzzle. What now? Should you just take it apart and put it back in the box? Surely you can’t just let it sit on your coffee table forever. Puzzles are an almost universally loved pastime activity, but most of us aren’t really sure what to do with them when we’re done. Fear not! Instead of letting your hours of work go to waste, dive into the world of endless possibilities. From framing it to hosting a puzzle swap with friends, there are so many ways you can ensure your puzzle gets the attention it deserves for a long time. Here are some fun and innovative ideas on what to do with jigsaw puzzles when you’re finished solving them.
Frame It
If you particularly like the image on your finished jigsaw puzzle and think it would make a beautiful addition to your home, you can always frame it. To frame a jigsaw puzzle, you will need puzzle glue (or just regular glue), a piece of wax paper, and a frame. Cover the front side of your puzzle with a thin layer of glue and let it dry. Once dry, flip the puzzle over and glue the wax paper to the back to ensure all the pieces stay in place. After this, you can frame your puzzle as you would a regular photograph or poster.
Put It Under Glass
Whether you’re not into wall art or just want to explore other home decor possibilities, there are more options for turning your finished jigsaw puzzle into a decorative piece. For instance, instead of leaving the puzzle to lie on your coffee table until someone inevitably knocks it over or damages it, you can cover it with a piece of glass. That way, the puzzle stays visible while being protected from potential coffee spillages. On the other hand, you get the surface of your coffee table back without having to get rid of the puzzle. It’s a win-win situation!
Magnetize It
A creative way to make puzzles even more fun and interactive, especially for kids, is to magnetize them and put them on the fridge or a magnetic whiteboard. Simply get some small magnets and glue them to the back of the puzzle pieces.
This idea works great for smaller kids’ puzzles with a couple of dozen pieces, but if you have a 300-piece jigsaw puzzle (or an even bigger one), sticking magnets on individual pieces will be quite a challenge. Instead, glue groups of pieces together (for instance, a square of 16 pieces), stick some backing onto them, and then add a couple of magnets.
Save the Puzzle
Just because you’re done with a puzzle doesn’t mean you have to be done with it forever. You can always take it apart, put it back in its box, and shelf it until you feel like solving it again.
However, if you have a lot of puzzles, keeping them all in their original boxes can take up a lot of room. Luckily, there are several innovative ways to store your puzzles, both in pieces and solved ones, and save up on space at the same time. For instance, you can use a puzzle board or a roll mat. If you don’t want to invest in storage solutions, even a regular Ziploc bag will do.
Gift It to a Friend
There’s something truly magical about sharing things you enjoy and are passionate about with your loved ones. Once you’re done with your jigsaw puzzle, consider giving it to a friend who enjoys puzzles as much as you do. You could also choose a friend who might not be into puzzles just yet – maybe your puzzle is the push they need to start a new hobby.
Beat Your Record
Are you feeling up for a challenge? The first time you solve a puzzle, time yourself and write down your time. Then, take the puzzle apart and put it away for a while – the longer the better. Once you feel like solving it again, try to beat your previous time. The best thing about this is that you can do it as many times as you like – until you’re a true puzzle-solving pro.
This idea is an excellent way to make solving puzzles even more fun (not that solving puzzles without timing them is not fun enough). In fact, you can even turn it into a family activity and try to beat your best time together.
Source: jcomp on freepik