Puzzle Inspiration
With Christmas approaching you may be thinking of gifts for loved ones and we know puzzles are always popular. Of course we’re a little biased but the joy of something that you can lose yourself in that doesn’t involve logging in or downloading an app is special. If you’re thinking about a puzzle but not sure of where to start we’ve put together this short gift guide for some inspiration.
We are proud of our huge selection of puzzles that is carefully curated from some of the finest
makers around the world. We’ve got something for every budget and experience level. A couple of puzzles that have just hit our shelves we’re very excited about. The Houdini Cluebox is now available and sure to go down well with any fans of puzzle boxes or escape rooms. The Hex Calendar provides a different puzzle for each day and is the ideal desk companion for those who like a challenge.
Best Puzzles For Beginners
Puzzles come in a wide range of difficulties and while it might be tempting to go for the hardest puzzle you can find we don’t always recommend it. The sweet spot is where there is a challenge but it can be completed and so if you’re looking for a puzzle for a novice then here are our recommendations.
One O'Clock Gun Puzzle - £19.95 - A fun little metal puzzle based on a design from the 19th century book 'Puzzles Old and New'.
3 Sun 12 Step Japanese Puzzle Box - £44.95 - A beautiful handmade puzzle box. There are 12 steps to open it, not overly difficult to do but a lovely example of this traditional Japanese craft.
The Hardest Puzzles
I know we’ve just mentioned we don’t always recommend going for the hardest puzzles but we know that’s what a lot of people want. There’s no denying the satisfaction of cracking something truly difficult is a wonderful feeling. Or perhaps you’re buying for a seasoned puzzler who can solve everything they touch.
If so how about the following.
Jigsaw 29 by Yuu Asaka - £11.95 - A 29 piece jigsaw but with 5 corners. A devious packing style puzzle that will test the solver for a while plus it won't break the bank!
Titan by Felix Ure - £139.95 - This is one of the hardest puzzles we stock. A seemingly simple brass sphere, the aim is simply to take the two halves apart. Tactile and oh so difficult!
Stocking Fillers
Quality puzzles don’t have to break the bank. We’ve got plenty available for under £20 and you can view the whole range here but here are a couple of our top picks.
Hanayama Quartet - £13.95 - One of the hardest of the Hanayama range, perfect if you need something for a serious puzzler!
Crux Classic Metal Puzzle Set - £11.95 - Six two tone metal puzzles in progressive levels of difficulty, what's not to like. A great set that will help you go from puzzle novice to pro.
For The Collector
If you need something special for the serious puzzle collector then we suggest taking a look at our range of Karakuri boxes or perhaps for something harder then anything from Felix Ure or Two Brass Monkeys.
A Horse With A Warrior - £649.95 - One of our absolute favourite Karakuri puzzle boxes. Beautifully made, several clever steps it really is a sublime design.
Piston II by Felix Ure - £220 - Anything from Felix Ure is going to be great and Piston II is actually one of his more achievable puzzles. A clever brass design that is a delight to solve.
Jigsaws
A Christmas jigsaw is a staple for many. Great as a gift for a group who can all join in piecing it together over a few nights with their favourite tipple. We’ve expanded our jigsaw selection this year with literally hundreds to choose from. With a dedicated Christmas themed selection we are really loving the collection.
Escape Room Puzzle Boxes
This year has seen the launch of several wonderful new escape room style boxes. Funnily two of our favourites are both themed around the man who could famously escape
a jail cell, Houdini.
iDVenture Houdini Cluebox - £54.95 - Lots of great puzzles to solve all based around the great escapologist.
Puzzle Potato Houdini Puzzle Box - £79.95 - This box features some very unique elements powered by ambient light and has a suggested solution time of 4 hours!
Staff Favourites
What you look for in a puzzle can often come down to personal preference, so in that vain we asked some of the Crux staff to give us a suggestion.
Snowflakes Puzzle - £32.95 - What is more festive than this snowflake packing puzzle. Tricky but achievable, lots of fun and perfect for a cold winter night spent inside!
TransylvanyArt Puzzle Box - £35.95 - Another classic style of puzzle. It has a few steps so has several discoveries for you to make but is at a level where everyone will be able to figure out how to open it.
