Ravensburger Positively Puzzling Christmas Edition 23

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ISSUE 3 Christmas 2023

Ultimate Puzzler’s Gift Guide

Festive Favourites Meet artists Roy Trower and Angela Holland

Pieces and Joy this Christmas

TV’s Dr Zoe Williams on the positives of puzzling

Shaped Owl 150pc (17511)

Christmas CONNECTIONS

Spend magical times together this Christmas with our new wooden puzzles collection. Each one is designed to last a lifetime and made to be enjoyed time and time again.

Fantasy Forest 500pc (17516)

Under the Sea 500pc (17515)

Fantasy Garden 500pc (17513)

Jungle Tiger 500pc (17514)

Featuring shaped ‘whimsy’ pieces

Shaped Fox 150 pc (17512)

See our

range at

www.ravensburger.co.uk

CONTENTS

Welcome Hello puzzlers! Welcome to our special seasonal gift guide edition of Positively Puzzling.

In this issue ITV This Morning’s resident GP, Dr Zoe Williams shares her insights into the wellbeing benefits of putting the pieces of a puzzle together. We’ll also be finding out more about the artists behind some of our new festive puzzles and, to top it off we’re brimming with puzzle present ideas for friends and family too.

What are you waiting for?

Grab a mince pie and enjoy!

The Ravensburger UK Puzzle Team

IN THIS ISSUE 4 Artist Spotlight: Roy Trower What’s new and now in puzzles 5 Artist Spotlight: Angela Holland 6 Dr Zoe Williams This Morning’s resident GP on why the humble puzzle can be good for you 9 Ultimate Puzzler’s Gift Guide Our Ravensburger puzzle picks for friends and family

Positively Puzzling is an advertorial publication produced by Ravensburger UK Ltd, Unit 3-5 Avonbury Business Park, Bicester, OX26 2UA. Published November 2023.

Design by Marriott Graphics.

Images copyright Ravensburger unless otherwise stated.

Puzzle information is correct at the time of publication, and any puzzles included are subject to availability.

To contact the team please email positivelypuzzling@ravensburger.com Christmas 2023 3

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

MEET

Roy Trower

Devon-based Roy Trower has been the artist behind our Limited-Edition Christmas Puzzle for almost twenty years. This year’s puzzle is Almost Done and here Roy gives us an insight into his work.

Almost Done (17547) Limited Edition, 1000pc

“

It’s so good when I read feedback from people to know that the puzzles give so much pleasure to so many people. For me, the central aim for all of the designs is to convey a really strong sense of an atmosphere which will draw the viewer into the scene and it is always important to create a “story”. As a parent of, now grown up, children I remember the excitement and anticipation they felt at Christmas time. I think a lot of grown-ups retain that excitement even if some of us don’t like to admit it! I’m always striving to capture and reflect those feelings in the images.

We are a pretty traditional family when it comes to Christmas and piecing a puzzle together is an annual festive activity for us.

“We complete one of my puzzles every year and I have never lost the feeling of excitement at seeing my design ‘come to life’ as we complete it.”

I usually start thinking about the design of the next puzzle in July of the preceding year. Always a little strange in the baking heat of summer! Next year is the 20th anniversary of my first Ravensburger Christmas puzzle so you can expect something special to mark the occasion!

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Christmas 2023

”

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Nottingham-based Angela Holland is the illustrator behind our cover puzzle, Christmas Market. Here we discover a little more about Angela’s work.

Angela Holland MEET

“

As a child, if you gave me a huge piece of sugar paper, I would fill it with lots of different people doing things, a play park, fairs, a school playground, or snowy days, whatever took my fancy, it would keep me quiet for hours. I’m convinced this was the beginning of my journey as an illustrator for jigsaws. And I loved jigsaws as a child, I still do!

I take my inspiration from people watching. Just the other day I went to the park with my daughter, and we both sat sketching. I take the sketches home and then use the reference to work in a mixture of traditional painting and digital drawing.

I often put people I know into my puzzles, and I also invent people too, little characters that pop up from my imagination - demanding to be drawn!

‘Christmas Market’ took me a month or more to complete.

Before I became a full-time illustrator, I used to work on the Christmas market in Nottingham. I loved the Christmassy atmosphere, the stall holders’ banter, people carefully choosing gifts, the delicious smells of food being sold. It was so magical, I wanted to capture this.

“As Ravensburger puzzlers are putting the pieces together, I want them to feel like they’re really there and a part of that joy.”

Christmas Market (17546), 1000pc

I’m going to sit and do the ‘Christmas Market’ jigsaw myself closer to Christmas, I’ll make myself a hot chocolate, listen to Christmas songs, and really get in the Christmas spirit as it’s my favourite time of the year.

”

Christmas 2023 5

POSITIVELY PUZZLING

Pieces and

harmony For many of us, puzzles are go-to activity with family or friends at Christmas. Here, ITV This Morning’s resident GP, Dr Zoe Williams gives us the lowdown on just a few of the positives of putting the pieces together.

Christmas presence

Puzzles provide a sanctuary of mindfulness. They anchor our thoughts in the present moment. In our busy world of constant distractions, completing a jigsaw puzzle gives our minds a well-earned break.

Small pieces, big satisfaction

The sense of accomplishment that comes from being present and completing a puzzle is a small triumph that can ripple into other areas of your life.

The long and short of it

The short-term benefits of puzzling include stress-reduction, improved concentration and enhanced problem-solving skills. In the long term, they can improve memory, resilience and patience, and studies have shown that doing puzzles can reduce the probability of developing dementia!

Connecting with your feelings

Completing jigsaw puzzles can be really cathartic! By that, it helps you to process your feelings and emotions. It can be a very soothing experience.

Pieces for all

Puzzles are for everyone, no matter your age! In our digital world, they are a great way to bring loved ones face-to-face. They’re great for sharing stories, bonding time and creating lasting memories with loved ones.

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Christmas 2023

Harbour Life (17555) 1000pc Lose yourself in the bold colours and welcoming sights of this pretty waterside view.

Why not try?

Circle of Colours Ocean (17170) 500pc This round puzzle is great for puzzling together, and with so much sea-life to see, there are plenty of talking points too.

Christmas 2023 7

ADVERTORIAL CreArt Jolane Edition Poppy (23667)

Calming

Creativity Lose yourself in the moment with CreArt Jolane Edition painting-by-numbers

Like puzzles, painting by numbers can offer a relaxing escape from the fast pace of day-to-day life.

Each brushstroke invites you to be present in the moment, and this focus on the here and now is something experts agree can have both short and long-term benefits for our wellbeing.

New CreArt Jolane Edition sets feature vibrant and contemporary illustrations by independent artist Jolane. Will you find your creative side among the poppies, or Be Wild like a leaping tiger? The choice is yours. Each set includes everything you need to while away time painting your own work of art – high-quality acrylic paints, double-ended paintbrush, varnish to create a polished finish and even a handy hook to display your finished piece.

CreArt Jolane Edition Be Wild (23665)

The collection is designed by independent artist, Jolane

See the full CreArt range at www.ravensburger.co.uk

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Christmas 2023

Puzzler’s ULTIMATE

Gift Guide

Enjoy our puzzle gift picks for the jigsaw lover in your life (even if that’s you!)

Pictured Gingerbread House Light-up 3D Puzzle (11237) Christmas 3D Puzzle Baubles (11495; 11270)

Christmas 2023 9

GIFT GUIDE

Gifts for adults Fancy a festive time out with a puzzle? You’ll be spoilt for choice with these picks. Don’t forget to check out our full range at www.ravensburger.co.uk

Puzzler’s Companion Sort & Go Trays (17930)

Flights of festive fancy Christmas Songbirds, Large Piece, (16835) 500pc

Disney Delights

Disney Castle Collection, Belle (17334), 1000pc

One of a collection of ten puzzles

See our full range of puzzles at

www.ravensburger.co.uk Receive a £5 voucher code when you sign up to our newsletter* T & C apply, see website for details

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Christmas 2023

GIFT GUIDE

Perfect for get-togethers

Circle of Colours Candies (17530), 500pc

Full of festive joy

Almost Done (17547), 1000pc

Go faster puzzling

Lamborghini 3D Puzzle (11562), 108pc

Dream puzzle for car enthusiasts

Wooden Art

Own Shaped Wooden Puzzle (17511), 150pc

Part of our new wooden puzzle collection

Contemporary Christmas Christmas Market (17546), 1000pc

Christmas 2023 11

GIFT GUIDE

Puzzling

Pastimes

Themed puzzles to piece together their favourite passions

Bountiful Books Fantasy Bookshop (19799), 1000pc

Floral Fun

Cottage Garden Favourites (17485), 1000pc

See our full range of puzzles at

www.ravensburger.co.uk Receive a £5 voucher code when you sign up to our newsletter* T & C apply, see website for details

12

Christmas 2023

Crafting Heaven

My Haven No 1, The Craft Shed (19590), 1000pc

GIFT GUIDE

See our full range of puzzles at

www.ravensburger.co.uk Receive a £5 voucher code when you sign up to our newsletter* T & C apply, see website for details

Screen Scene

A new dimension

Star Wars Death Star 3D Puzzle (11555), 508pc

You won’t have to ‘force’ them to enjoy this

Whether it’s the latest streaming success story, or a classic blockbuster, here’s just a selection of our screen-themed jigsaws.

Great Scott it’s a puzzle!

Universal Vault Collection: Back to the Future (17451), 1000pc

So retro!

Disney Vintage Movie Posters (19874), 1000pc

One puzzle to rule them all Lord of the Rings (17293), 2000pc

Christmas 2023 13

GIFT GUIDE

Pokémon Shaped Puzzle (16846), 727pc

Hundreds of tiny Pikachus formed into one big challenge!

Fiendish Challenge

For those puzzlers who love a serious challenge, these mindboggling jigsaws are just the ticket.

These cute and cuddly friends make a hard puzzle!

Piece shape is everything in this brainteaser

Squishmallows Challenge (17553), 1000pc

Krypt Green (17364), 736pc

Super Mario Challenge (16525), 1000pc 14

Christmas 2023

How many Marios can you spot?

GIFT GUIDE

Christmas at Home (12996), 100XXLpc Suitable for ages 6+

Kids These fun-filled puzzles make great gifts for younger fans.

Bluey Giant Christmas Floor Puzzle (3171), 24pc Suitable for ages 3+

Peppa Pig Christmas Puzzle (5534), 32pc Suitable for ages 3+

Star Wars Grogu 3D Puzzle (11556), 108pc Suitable for ages 6+

Gabby’s Dollhouse 4-in-a-Box (3170) Suitable for ages 3+

See our full range of puzzles at

www.ravensburger.co.uk Receive a £5 voucher code when you sign up to our newsletter* T & C apply, see website for details

Christmas 2023 15

Our cover puzzle is Christmas Market (17546), a 1000-piece puzzle by Angela Holland