There are very few pastimes in this world as good as spending some time putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Perfect for relaxation, soothing the mind and training the brain, they are an ideal screen-free activity. But unfortunately, all jigsaws need to come to an end, even the hardest ones! 

If you can't stand to see your jigsaw puzzle put in storage for months or years, but you want something more creative than framing it, there are plenty of other things you can do too. 

Just some of my favourite ways to make great use of a completed puzzle include: 

Organising a puzzle swap

Do you have a best friend or family member who loves jigsaw puzzles as much as you do? 

If you have both recently completed a puzzle, then you can organise to swap them. This will make for great conversation as you will compare sections you struggled with, your favourite parts of the image or how long it has taken you to complete. 

If you're feeling a bit cheeky, you can also leave out the reference photo to add an extra level of complexity. 

Make art with it 

The beauty of art is that it comes in several forms and is just an expression of your ideas. From mosaics to resin bowls and sculptures, the opportunities are limitless when you let your imagination run wild.

Spend some time Googling jigsaw puzzle art and seeing what tickles your fancy. You may even be able to create a new décor piece for your home, all while remembering the hard work you put into finishing your puzzle. 

Put your memory to the test 

Training your brain is one of the primary benefits of completing a puzzle. So, if you have plenty of time on your hands, you can always disassemble your puzzle and try completing it again. If it took you 6 hours the first time, try doing it in 5 or less the next. 

This is a phenomenal way to test your recall, especially if you can remember where those difficult pieces go. 

Create a puzzle journal 

If you're someone who completes plenty of puzzles, then it's unlikely that you can hang up every single puzzle. If you still want to remember the beautiful pictures, you can take a picture of them and add them to a scrapbook. 

If you're really into journaling, you can write a short introduction to your experience with the puzzle, how long it took to complete and your favourite part about finishing it. 

Like a food journal, this is a wonderful way to keep on top of your hobby and preserve a beautiful memory. 

At Play Timeout, I have a wide range of puzzles for you to enjoy. From large, 1000-piece puzzles to smaller 250-piece puzzles, I have everything you need to satisfy your hobby. If board games are more your thing, I also have a selection that I'll know you'll enjoy. 

Discover them in my shop TODAY.