A quality puzzle is a wonderful way to pass the time. You can sit for hours piecing it together and marvel at the result. Or, you can do a quick couple hundred pieces to take a break from work or studies. But what happens when you finish the puzzle?
The simple answer: find a place where you can swap or exchange puzzles. You can do this by trading online, through a club, or even in person. There are many ways to find others who want to swap puzzles, and you're sure to find one that fits your style. Here are a few places where you can do just that:
The United States Jigsaw Puzzle Association is the national governing body for the sport of jigsaw puzzle solving in America. Their website lists upcoming events, results of past competitions, records, resources, and contact information for the puzzle-solving community. Most importantly, they list places you can reach out to if you don't know where to start looking for local puzzle swap groups.
Did you know there are entire Facebook groups devoted to swapping and exchanging puzzles? It's true! A quick search for "puzzle swap" or "puzzle exchange" will yield dozens of results, and there are active groups with thousands of members worldwide. All you need to do is join one of these groups, post a photo of the puzzles you have to offer, and start browsing through the other members' postings to see if there's anything that catches your eye. Once you've found a trade you're happy with, arrange to send your puzzles (and receive the others) via mail. It's that easy!
Libraries are another great place to start your search for puzzle swaps. Many libraries have puzzles that can be checked out; some even have special programs where you can trade your finished puzzles for new ones. Contact your local library to see if they offer something like this.
Puzzle clubs are a great way to meet other puzzle enthusiasts and swap puzzles regularly. These clubs usually meet in person, so you'll have to research to find one near you. Once you've located a club, attend one of their meetings and introduce yourself. Most people in these groups are happy to help you get started with your puzzle-swapping journey.
If Facebook isn't your thing, another option is to look for local swap meets or flea markets in your area. These are typically held on weekends, and they're great places to find all sorts of gently-used items, including puzzles! Keep your eyes peeled for people selling puzzles, and be sure to haggle a bit to get the best price. You might even be able to find some deals on multi-packs of puzzles, which would be great if you're looking to add more variety to your collection.
PuzzleSwap.com is an online puzzle-swapping community with members from all over the world. It's a great place to find new puzzles to add to your collection, and it's also a great way to get rid of any unwanted puzzles that might have taken up space in your home. Create an account, browse the other members' postings, and start swapping! PuzzleSwap.com is completely free to use, and it's a great way to connect with other puzzle lovers from all over the globe.
Why not host your puzzle-swap party if you want to get involved in the puzzle-swap community? These are great fun, and they're a great way to meet other puzzlers in your area. Invite all of your friends who are into puzzles (or who you think might be interested in getting into puzzles), and have everyone bring a few puzzles to trade. You can even make it a potluck-style party and have everyone bring their favorite puzzle-solving snacks!
One final option is to check out your local thrift store. This is usually my last resort, as thrift store prices can be slightly higher than what you'd find at a swap meet or flea market. However, thrift stores typically have a better selection than flea markets (in my experience), so it's worth checking out if you're having trouble finding what you're looking for elsewhere. Plus, who doesn't love a good bargain?
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