You don't have to be a kid to want a toy at Christmas and, this year, there are some great activities for adults that can make your Christmas merry.
3-D puzzles:
If you like jigsaw puzzles, you might enjoy building a 3-D puzzle. Unlike Legos, which can be difficult to snap together (and get apart), cardboard 3-D puzzles are easy to handle and come in a wide variety of themes from great cathedrals to cars and diners.
Makers such as Wrebbit offer the puzzles that have brightly printed pieces with foam backing and good instructions. You end up with a satisfying build for $30 to $70. And, when you get tired of the finished piece, it's not so difficult to just pitch it.
Paint-by-number:
Here's a type of craft that has really matured in this era. Tons of canvases with many themes are available in sizes from small to large. Most companies let you choose the number of colors you want. The more colors, the more difficult (but also realistic) the project will be.
If you don't find a picture you really want to paint, you can make your own photos into a canvas. You can have a picture of your cat or grandkids put on a paint-by-number canvas. You can opt to receive the canvas already framed and ready to paint and hang for about $70.
Wooden, plastic and metal models
For the dedicated hobbyist, or just a craft adventurer, these puzzles are really in the genre of model-making, with elaborate colors and detail. Although they tend to be more difficult to build than cardboard 3-D puzzles, they also come in elaborate themes like clocks, ancient ships, mazes, and even bonzai trees. You also end up with an attractive display piece. Prices vary by project. Simple projects can be as low as $25 with elaborate builds priced up to $75 and more.
