Jigsaws, once confined to childhood and wet Sunday afternoons have more recently become beloved of adults too, or perhaps we just forgot how much we enjoyed them.

How things have changed.

Friends may now see it as a way of relaxing or keeping the brain cells ticking over, but I see it as the ideal Christmas gift.

Most of my friends have reached a point in their life that they have acquired all they want or need, so, each Christmas it has become harder to find something quirky but enjoyable rather than gimmicky.

I was therefore delighted to stumble upon Rachel Lowe Games and Puzzles who provide a range of jigsaws that would suit either the beginner or indeed, the enthusiast.

My favourite has to be the Laurel and Hardy Jigsaws, my personal preference the 1000 pieces which immediately sounds challenging but 500 – piece puzzles are also available.

The Laurel and Hardy puzzles feature two of the most iconic images of the comedy duo, trying to overcome their own puzzle dilemma. The images are from the 1933 film Me and My Pal in which Laurel’s character gives Hardy’s character a puzzle as a wedding gift. The two get so preoccupied with the puzzle, as do a group of their friends, that Laurel late for his own wedding, much to the dismay of the bride’s father.

The picture is black and white, increasing the skill level required, but for me the clincher is that it is taken from one of their films and shows them completing a jigsaw. How meta is that?

There are many other films and tv images to choose, from but these were easily my favourite.

To discover the full range, follow the link below.

The puzzles are both available from www.rachellowe.co.uk

1000 Piece Puzzle: RRP £14.99
500 Piece Puzzle: RRP £11.99