Where Can I Put My Puzzles?

If you’re a puzzle enthusiast, you’ve likely accumulated a collection of puzzles over the years. After you’ve pieced together that intricate 1,000-piece jigsaw or tackled a tough brainteaser, you might be wondering: where can I put my puzzles now? Whether you’ve completed your favorite puzzles and want to preserve them, share them with others, or simply declutter your space, there are several ways to ensure that your puzzles continue to bring joy, either to yourself or to someone else. From donating puzzles to turning them into art or using them as promotional puzzles for your business, there are plenty of creative ways to repurpose and store your puzzles. Let’s explore your options.

1. Display Them as Art

One of the most satisfying aspects of completing a beautiful or complex puzzle is the sense of accomplishment you feel when placing that final piece. Instead of dismantling the puzzle and putting it back in the box, why not preserve it as a work of art? Many puzzles are designed with stunning artwork or photography, making them ideal for framing and displaying.

How to Turn Puzzles into Art:

• Step 1: After completing the puzzle, carefully slide a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper underneath the puzzle to prevent it from sticking to your work surface.
• Step 2: Use puzzle glue (widely available online or at craft stores) to coat the surface of the puzzle, ensuring all the pieces stay securely in place.
• Step 3: Once the glue has dried, mount the puzzle on a foam board or sturdy backing.
• Step 4: Frame your puzzle with a custom-sized frame and display it on your wall.

Framed puzzles make unique and personal pieces of art that can be displayed in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. This is an especially great option for puzzles with sentimental value, such as personalized puzzles featuring family photos or custom designs.

2. Donate Puzzles to Others

If you’ve finished a puzzle and don’t plan on assembling it again, donating it is a fantastic way to ensure that someone else can enjoy the challenge and entertainment it provides. Puzzles are an excellent activity for people of all ages, making them a popular item for donation to various organizations and institutions.

Places to Donate Puzzles:

• Schools and Educational Centers: Puzzles are great educational tools that help develop critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills in children. Many schools and after-school programs would gladly accept donated puzzles to use in classrooms or recreational activities.
• Senior Centers and Nursing Homes: Puzzles are a popular pastime for older adults, as they help keep the mind sharp and provide a relaxing way to pass the time. Senior centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities often appreciate donations of puzzles, especially those with larger pieces that are easier for seniors to handle.
• Libraries and Community Centers: Many libraries and community centers offer puzzle lending programs, where people can check out puzzles, complete them at home, and then return them for others to enjoy. Donating puzzles to these institutions helps provide affordable and accessible entertainment to the public.
• Children’s Hospitals: Puzzles offer a great way for young patients to stay engaged and distracted during their recovery. Donating puzzles to children’s hospitals helps bring some fun and comfort to kids who are going through difficult times.
• Charitable Organizations: Non-profits like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity accept puzzle donations and resell them to support their charitable work. These organizations ensure that your puzzle finds a new home while helping those in need.

By donating your puzzles, you not only declutter your home but also contribute to the well-being and entertainment of others in your community.

3. Create Promotional Puzzles for Business Use

For businesses looking to get creative with their marketing strategies, custom puzzles offer a fun and interactive way to promote your brand. Promotional puzzles allow you to incorporate your logo, brand colors, or key messaging into a puzzle design, which can then be used as corporate gifts, trade show giveaways, or client appreciation items.

How Promotional Puzzles Work:

Businesses can create custom puzzles featuring:

• Company Logos: Incorporate your brand’s logo into a puzzle design, offering clients or employees a unique way to engage with your brand.
• Product Launches: Use puzzles to promote a new product by featuring an image or visual representation of the product that clients can piece together.
• Event Giveaways: Hand out custom puzzles at trade shows, conferences, or other events. These puzzles not only serve as a fun takeaway but also keep your brand top-of-mind as recipients engage with the puzzle.

Promotional puzzles can range from small puzzles with a few pieces (ideal for quick giveaways) to more complex puzzles designed for a more immersive experience. They’re a memorable way to differentiate your brand and provide a creative touchpoint with your audience.

4. Host a Puzzle Swap

If you’re part of a puzzle-loving community, consider organizing a puzzle swap. Puzzle swaps allow enthusiasts to trade completed puzzles with one another, giving each person a fresh challenge without having to buy new puzzles. This is a great way to discover new puzzles and share the joy of puzzle-solving with others.

How to Organize a Puzzle Swap:

• Gather Friends and Family: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who enjoy puzzles. Set a date and location for the swap, such as a community center, local library, or even your home.
• Bring Puzzles to Trade: Each participant should bring one or more completed puzzles to trade with others. Make sure the puzzles are in good condition with all pieces accounted for.
• Exchange Puzzles: Allow participants to browse the selection of puzzles and swap one for another. This provides everyone with a new puzzle to enjoy without spending any money.

Puzzle swaps can also be organized online through community forums, Facebook groups, or puzzle-focused websites, allowing participants to send puzzles by mail and trade with people in different locations.

5. Repurpose Puzzle Pieces for Crafts

If you have incomplete puzzles with missing pieces, don’t throw them away! Puzzle pieces can be repurposed for a wide range of craft projects. This is a fun way to breathe new life into an old puzzle and create something entirely different.

Craft Ideas for Puzzle Pieces:

• Jewelry: Create unique necklaces, earrings, or bracelets using puzzle pieces as the main design element. Paint or embellish the pieces for a personalized look.
• Ornaments: Turn puzzle pieces into festive ornaments for the holiday season. Glue them together in the shape of a wreath, snowflake, or star, and add paint or glitter for decoration.
• Wall Art: Puzzle pieces can be painted and arranged into abstract wall art. Glue the pieces onto a canvas or wooden board to create a colorful and eye-catching design.
• Magnets: Attach small magnets to the back of puzzle pieces to create custom fridge magnets. You can leave the pieces as they are or paint them to match your kitchen’s color scheme.

These DIY projects are a great way to get creative with puzzles that are no longer complete or in use, turning them into decorative and functional items for your home.

6. Store Puzzles for Future Use

If you prefer to keep your puzzles for future enjoyment, proper storage is key to ensuring that they stay in good condition. Storing puzzles carefully will prevent damage to the pieces and ensure that you can revisit them when you’re ready to solve them again.

Tips for Storing Puzzles:

• Use Zipper Bags: For puzzles that come in cardboard boxes, consider transferring the pieces into resealable zipper bags. This helps prevent pieces from getting lost and keeps them secure.
• Label the Boxes: Write the number of pieces on the puzzle box or bag, along with a small image of the puzzle for easy identification.
• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Avoid storing puzzles in damp or humid areas, as this can cause the pieces to warp or become damaged. Keep puzzles in a cool, dry place such as a closet or storage bin.

By taking the time to store your puzzles properly, you’ll be able to revisit them later without worrying about missing or damaged pieces.

Conclusion

So, where can you put your puzzles? The options are virtually endless! Whether you want to display completed puzzles as artwork, donate them to those who could benefit from them, create promotional puzzles for business purposes, or repurpose the pieces for craft projects, there are plenty of ways to make sure your puzzles continue to bring joy to others.

No matter how you choose to use or share your puzzles, they offer a versatile and engaging way to entertain, relax, and connect with others. Ready to explore the world of personalized and promotional puzzles? Need help? Talk to an expert now at 1-888-377-9339 or Email us at care@qualityimprint.com.