As much as crossword puzzle lovers might like to, they can't complete crosswords all day long.
So as much as that puzzle lover on your list would appreciate another puzzle magazine subscription, there's a good chance it'll just end up in the pile of crosswords to "finish someday."
But here's some gift ideas that will stand out this holiday season.
"Wordplay" Movie
A "crossword movie" might not sound like an exciting show, but "Wordplay" pulls it off nicely. This 2006 documentary follows New York Times crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz as he talks about his job and personal history and oversees a dramatic national crossword puzzle competition.
The film also explains how crosswords originated and developed, and those who are interested in the "how-to" can watch puzzle maker Merl Reagle go from concept to completed puzzle.
It also features special guests such as Ken Burns, Bill Clinton, Bob Dole and the witty Jon Stewart - all talking about what crosswords mean to them.
What's more, the liner notes include five spectacular crosswords hand picked by Will Shortz, including "Laboratory Maze" which offers the puzzle enthusiast a maze after the crossword is completed.
Crossword Mystery Series
Solving the clues of a crossword puzzle and unraveling the clues in a murder mystery story show some remarkable similarities. The crossword puzzle mysteries by Nero Blanc are a brilliant combination of both.
Nero Blanc is the pen name for a husband and wife collaboration of Steve Zettler and Cordelia Frances Biddle and is named after the Italian word for "Black" and French for "White" - two popular clues in crossword puzzles.
With a dozen titles in the series, the mysteries follow a private investigator, Rosco Polycrates, and a crossword puzzle editor, Annabella Graham, who must combine their talents to solve mysteries. Each book contains five full crosswords that the characters run across in the course of the story and are essential to solving the mystery. A sixth puzzle finishes each book.
The premise can become a bit strained - just how many mysteries can be solved by the artful solving of crosswords anyway - but they're so well-made and fun to do that readers and solvers will be more than willing to forgive.
Guinness World Record Largest Crossword Puzzle
More than 91,000 white squares; 28,000 clues in a 100 page book; and taller than an average person at 7 feet by 7 feet, the crossword puzzle that holds the Guinness world record is truly impressive.
Depending on a solver's skill level, completing this puzzling epic can take months or even years.
Some review comments mention some editing errors and some particularly obscure acronyms, but some of this must be expected with more than 28,000 unique clues.
This is the perfect puzzling gift for the solver who has "done it all."
Merv Griffin's Crosswords
The brilliant creator of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy left behind a concept for a game show that was never realized in his own time.
"Merv Griffin's Crosswords" puts a fast-paced and competitive spin on what's usually a solitary activity.
Home versions of the game have been made for most popular video game systems and there's even a home board game.
This makes a great gift for the skilled solver who wants to show off their chops.
A Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
Before purchasing one for a puzzle aficionado, make sure that they do not consider puzzle dictionaries "cheating" - many do.
But for those willing to swallow some pride to get some help with that corner of human knowledge they know nothing about, a crossword puzzle dictionary might be a good gift.
These type of dictionaries are unique in that they are organized by potential clue or subject and by length of the word instead of alphabetically. An electronic dictionary can even allow typing in blanks for the unknown letters and searching for matches.
One of these options should be perfect for the puzzler on every shoppers list and prevent resorting to tearing out the subscription form out of one of their current magazines.
HOL101
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