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Wooden Puzzles: The Costly Trend Captivating Enthusiasts

1/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Christine Murphy, a 42-year-old grant writer from Portland, Maine, works on a puzzle daily.
She owns more than 150 puzzles, including 50 handcrafted hardwood ones.
She notes the high cost of these puzzles, describing them as "multiple mortgage payments."
Chris Danner of Elms Puzzles says the trend shows growing interest in handcrafted wooden puzzles and that analog experiences offer more joy than digital options.

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Story summary

Christine Murphy, a 42-year-old grant writer from Portland, Maine, works on a puzzle daily.
She owns more than 150 puzzles, including 50 handcrafted hardwood ones.
She notes the high cost of these puzzles, describing them as "multiple mortgage payments."
Chris Danner of Elms Puzzles says the trend shows growing interest in handcrafted wooden puzzles and that analog experiences offer more joy than digital options.