Low-Fuss Jigsaw Connection Clubs

We're super honoured to have a guest blog post by bestselling author, and dear friend, Jessica Waite. Her debut memoir, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards, became an instant bestseller and was featured by The Washington Post, Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper, The Toronto Star, and many other outlets. Thanks Jessica!

January can feel like a long, dreary month. After holiday feasts and festivities, I’m socially depleted and ready to hibernate. Going back to the regular routine can feel like a slog, especially if I’m trying to stick to a New Year’s Resolution. 

This year, instead of white-knuckling my way through January’s cold, dark days, I asked a new question. What if there was something to look forward to? Something creative, with people I enjoy. Something equally fun with two people, or ten, so attendance could be truly flexible, reflecting the reality of blizzards and flu season. Something low-effort, so if a winter storm were to waylay everyone, I wouldn’t be left with a plateful of homemade pastries to “dispose of.” 

I emailed some friends:

January's almost here, and wouldn’t it brighten up the long, cold month to have a weekly coffee-and-jigsaw date?

How about joining me for January Jigsaw Tuesdays? 

Super casual. No RSVP required. Drop in if it suits your schedule and if the roads are clear.

I’ll provide coffee and a variety of tea choices. You’re welcome to bring a snack for yourself, or something to share if that makes you happy, but it’s not necessary to bring anything.

It's Low-Fuss-Tuesday-January-Jigsaw-Coffees.

Hope we can puzzle our way through the first few months of 2025 together! 🧩 💚

The first week, no one came. (I only mention this because false starts are likely when trying to get something going.) I worked on my jigsaw solo, listening to an audiobook. No sweat.

The second week, we had a great turnout. I’d invited people who didn’t know each other, but since we were teaming together on a shared task, conversation came easy. Mutual connections were discovered, books were recommended, tips for finding local art classes were exchanged. 

We worked on a colourful wooden jigsaw: Darlene Kulig's Beach Walk. (Take that, January-blues!) 

There was a learning curve for people who hadn’t encountered a laser-cut jigsaw before. As the going was slow, I remembered a morale-boosting trick my mom used when solving difficult puzzles. I set a reception-desk bell on the table. “Ring it when you connect a piece.”

Ping by ping, we celebrated each small victory. It didn’t take long before the pieces were flying together. 

Who can explain the satisfaction of turning a jumble of squiggly pieces into a gorgeous work of art? Smiling faces, high fives, happy bell-ringing when the last piece fell into place. January feels more joyful. I’m already looking forward to next week when everyone comes back for more.

Based on this early experience, I’m so glad I sent out the invitation. I hope this sparks ideas for bringing the people in your life together for some puzzling fun in 2025.