Merry & Mischievous by Debbie Cook – 500XL Piece Jigsaw Puzzle (Falcon de luxe)

It’s tree-decorating night and the living room is already in a state. Dad has a toddler on his hip reaching for the top branches, a small girl in a Santa hat is unravelling something she probably shouldn’t, and the husky (sensibly fitted with reindeer antlers) is presiding over the whole affair from the hearthrug. The kitten and the tabby have found the tinsel. Nobody is stopping them.

Debbie Cook packs a lot into one warm room: the glow of the log burner, stockings above the fireplace, baubles on the floor, a golden retriever puppy doing its best to help. The scene has that slightly chaotic energy of a real family Christmas rather than a staged one, which makes it a good one to build over the festive season.

500XL pieces means larger pieces throughout: well suited if you want something manageable but still substantial. The rich reds, greens, and firelight golds give you plenty to sort by colour, though the Christmas tree itself is busy enough to keep you honest.