The Art of Living

Speed Puzzling in Toronto: Competitions, Puzzle Nights & How to Host Your Own

October 10, 2026

If you want to race a jigsaw against the clock, or against the loud table next to you, Toronto has more going on than you might think. There are café competitions, brewery puzzle nights, and plenty of people racing at home in their living rooms. Here's where to find puzzle competitions in Toronto, what speed puzzling actually is, and how to host a puzzle party for adults with artist-designed puzzles, designed in Toronto. Listings move fast. The dates below are examples from an October 10, 2026 check, so always confirm on the organizer's page or Eventbrite before you go. What...

The curiously sensible Thanksgiving puzzle gift

October 03, 2026

There are gifts that wilt before the gravy cools, and gifts that sulk in a cupboard forever, and then there are gifts that take over the dining table like a friendly invasion.A puzzle is that third kind.Picture it: the turkey has been conquered, the plates are stacked in a perilous tower, and someone — usually the quietest someone — tips out a thousand little shapes with a soft cardboard whoosh. Suddenly the grown-ups have a mission. Suddenly the evening has a plot.If you’re walking into a family house this Canadian Thanksgiving (Monday, October 12) and you’d rather not arrive with...

Why Everything Feels Boring

April 20, 2026

If everything has started to feel a little flat, you’re not alone. This article explores why constant stimulation makes life feel less engaging and how slowing down can help you regain focus and interest.

Why You Don’t Feel Relaxed After Work (Even After Scrolling)

March 30, 2026

Most of us don’t actually relax after work—we just switch screens. This article explores why scrolling doesn’t truly recharge us, and why more people are turning to slower, more intentional activities like jigsaw puzzles to unwind.

Why Young Professionals Are Turning to Jigsaw Puzzles to Unplug

March 23, 2026

The idea that young people are overly dependent on technology, distracted, overstimulated, and constantly online, isn’t just something older generations complain about. Many young people feel it too. Spend enough time talking to Gen Z and millennial professionals and a pattern starts to emerge. There are constant notifications, endless scrolling, and a vague sense that their attention is no longer fully their own. For a generation raised on digital convenience, the issue isn’t whether technology works. It’s that it never really stops. That discomfort is starting to shape behaviour in interesting ways. The Return of Offline Hobbies in a Digital...

Behind the Scenes: How We Curate Artwork for Our Puzzle Collections

June 19, 2025

At Mango Puzzles, we’re obsessed with great artwork. From our very first collection, we learned—thanks to your feedback—that the right image is what gets people most excited about our puzzles. It’s what transforms a pile of 1,000 random pieces into a satisfying, screen-free adventure. And that ties right back to our mission: Pieces Over Pixels. But choosing the art? That’s a whole process—and honestly, one of the most fun parts of what we do. So here’s a peek behind the scenes at how we go from idea → artist → puzzle box. 1. First Comes the Big Idea Every new...

Not your basic Christmas Gift - Mango Puzzles’ New Collection featuring Jules Monson!

December 11, 2024

The holiday season is upon us, and we’ve got something extra special for you! If you’ve been searching for that perfect, unique gift that blends art, fun, and a touch of local flair, you’re in for a treat. Mango Puzzles is about to unveil our most exciting collection yet—a collaboration with Toronto-based artist, Jules Monson. And trust us, this one’s going to be worth the wait. An Artist’s Touch: Meet Jules Monson Jules Monson is a local artist who creates vibrant, captivating works that have been making waves in the Toronto art scene. Known for her colourful artwork and unique...

A few words on the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship 2024

September 17, 2024

Starting today, 200 puzzle aficionados will gather in Valladolid, Spain, for the World Jigsaw Championship! This year’s championship features three competitive categories: Individual, Pairs, and Teams each with a grand prize of €1,000. The World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation has organized these annual competitions since 2019, attracting a wide swath of puzzle enthusiasts across the globe. This event was also significant since it was the first time a world ranking was available for jigsaw puzzle competitors. Since its inception, all the events have been held in Valladolid, Spain however in 2020 and 2021 the event was cancelled due to COVID 19....

How to Get Better at Jigsaw Puzzles: 7 Pro Tips for Faster Solving

January 02, 2024

Last updated: April 30, 2026Let me start with a confession: I’m not a particularly fast jigsaw puzzle solver. I don’t rush. I don’t time myself. I’m drawn more to the quiet rhythm of it—the feeling of finding the right piece, the texture of the board, the way an image slowly reveals itself. At Mango Puzzles, that attention to detail is part of how we think about everything we create. But not everyone approaches puzzles this way. Some people love the challenge of getting faster. Of improving. Of solving with intention. And the truth is puzzling is a skill. Like any skill,...

Exercise your mind

December 12, 2023

Did you know that doing a puzzle is a workout for your brain? Completing a jigsaw puzzle isn't just fun and relaxing; it can also sharpen your mind, enabling you to function at your best. While society often emphasizes physical fitness, mental wellness is equally crucial. Numerous cognitive benefits have been linked to completing puzzles: Problem-Solving Skills: Jigsaw puzzles demand critical thinking and problem-solving as you figure out where each piece fits. Spatial Awareness: Working with the pieces enhances spatial reasoning, improving your ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space. Memory Improvement: Remembering shapes, colors, and patterns of pieces...

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The Art Of Living