The girls fall break from school is usually when we break out the puzzles here in our household. We usually finish 2, one for the Thanksgiving season, one for Christmastime. It is fun to see one of my girls just stop and sit for a few minutes and work on it, they love seeing it come together slowly but surely! This year, I have found it very therapeutic through the highs and lows of sickness, to just sit a bit either by myself or with one (or all) of my girls and work on it while listening to Christmas music.
We use a cork bulletin board to make our puzzles portable. The cork is great for keeping pieces from sliding around when moving it from place to place. We usually keep it at the dining room table, but move it out of the way for family dinners. Sometimes one of my girls want to lay in front of the t.v. and work on the floor while watching a show. They also will carry it into the basement to join the rest of us if that is where we are hanging out.
We have a tradition of taking a photo of the puzzle when finished, which makes breaking them down much less painful for my girls. 🙂 This candy puzzle is the one we worked on in November.
Progress!! My family is coming to celebrate Christmas on Thursday. I know this will get finished that day, my sister, Kathy, is a pro and once she starts, she has a hard time stopping until it is finished!
Can’t wait…so fun!!
Autumn Jones
December 14, 2012 at 2:34 amLove this! I found this on pinterest by searching for “DIY puzzle board.” This is by far the easiest and cheapest idea I found (especially because I had a cork board just lying around!). My kids love it and started using it the first day. They use it on the floor and then slip it under their bed when it’s time to clean up. If they bring it into the living room or rec area, they can slip it under the couch when needed. Brilliant! Thanks so much–I love easy solutions!
Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun
December 22, 2010 at 1:25 pmJust a note to say that I’m praying for you right *now* and wish you a Christmas full of fun and jolliness with your family. Love your blog and don’t know how you manage all you do (so beautifully) while fighting cancer (so well)! I *know* you’ll beat the cancer and return to full health. God loves you, as do all your fans in blogland.
(((hugs)))
Leslie
The Pennington Point
December 21, 2010 at 3:29 pmI love this idea! Just yesterday a friend told me she got puzzles for my kids and I thought, “No! We don’t have any place to put them.” You’ve solved my problem…thanks! Lisa~
billi
December 21, 2010 at 12:34 amWe do the same thing, but I love the corkboard idea. Now I can slide it under the couch when too many are in the house. thanx, you are in my prayers.
Cristina
December 20, 2010 at 11:45 pmThanks for the the idea of the corkboard. I have one in my basement gathering dust, and we have a puzzle in the works right now on our dining room table. (it is a hard one too, all the shapes are triangular and the puzzle is in the shape of a triangle too) We always try to have one out during the holidays too, though Joel and I are the ones who work on it most. Off to get the corkboard before we get further along. Thanks Amy!
Val
December 20, 2010 at 11:43 pmI love this idea.
Linda
December 21, 2010 at 4:46 amWow, your family chooses harder puzzles than I would choose! What a neat tradition.
erin
December 21, 2010 at 12:10 amWow – what a cool tradition! I love it. I really want to implement this in my family. I love puzzles. But, with a 1 year old and a 3 year old I guess I might have to wait a little while. What a great idea with the bulletin board!!! I will have to remember that one. Thanks Amy! Merry Christmas.