Couples Day!
If you spend any time at all on social media, you’ve no doubt noticed that there’s a “Day” to commemorate just about anything, from the serious (World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10th) to the silly (Fruitcake Toss Day, January 3rd.) Imagine my delight to discover that August 18th is National Couples Day! Besides being a day to “honor the love, commitment, and companionship that couples share” it’s the perfect opportunity to discover the huge variety of puzzles that feature couples!
My inspiration for this blog was definitely Love Through the Ages from Ravensburger. When I saw the quirky, clever artwork, variety of cultures and couture, and all the intricate details, I just had to tackle this one, even though my regular puzzle board is too small for a 1500 piece puzzle. (Plastic dog kennel tray to the rescue!) Ukrainian artist Sveta Dorosheva has captured couples from ancient Asia to the Middle Ages, the Jazz Age, the 60s and more!
Love Through the Ages by Ravensburger
I had a lot of “favorite” details in this design, like the border of bleeding hearts across the top. I love how the artist included a pair of swans--who often mate for life—probably unlike many of the other couples on the puzzle! The anticipation of kissing that frog. Will it really turn into a handsome prince? And what the heck is with those hats?
Like the swans, some of the cutest couples are found in nature. For a quick and colorful 500 piece, check out Love in the Wild from Mudpuppy.
For decades, nobody has depicted famous couples (or princesses) quite like Walt Disney. Based on a German fairy tale published in 1812 by the Brothers Grimm, Disney’s Snow White became the first animated feature film ever produced in the United States. Hard to believe it premiered in December 1937! The Disney Snow White Collector’s Edition is a beautiful 1000 piece puzzle from Ravensburger that captures a famous scene, bordered by cels from the movie. A bit of Snow White trivia: filmed at 24 frames per second, Disney artists drew and painted over 120,000 cels by hand to create the movie. They don’t make movies like they used to!
Disney Snow White Collector’s Edition by Ravensburger
It seems in most fairy tales, couples tend to get off to a rough start—usually thanks to a jealous, evil, spell-casting spinster. Beauty and the Beast is no exception, considering Belle only encounters the hideous Beast (an arrogant young Prince under one of those bothersome spells!) because he’s imprisoned her father. Thank goodness loves prevails and the Beast returns to his handsome self. Dowdle’s Beauty and the Beast Finding Love is one I’m looking forward to in my to-do stack.
Beauty and the Beast Finding Love by Dowdle
Beauty and the Beast is one of several fairy tales that may have their origins in Greek mythology, particularly the story of Cupid and Psyche. The goddess Venus is so jealous of Psyche’s beauty that she commands her son, Cupid, to make Psyche fall in love with an unworthy man. Mom obviously didn’t consider that Cupid might fall in love with Psyche himself. Oops! Ravensburger’s 1000 piece Cupid and Psyche in Love gives the ancient statue a modern art, graffiti vibe.
Cupid and Psyche in Love by Ravensburger
When it comes to Disney couples, none are more iconic than Mickey and Minnie Mouse! You can find a great variety of brands and piece counts featuring the famous mice from Puzzle Warehouse. One of my favorites is Ceaco’s Mickey and Minnie Hollywood from Thomas Kinkade. It was such a fun puzzle with M&M walking the red carpet in front of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and I really love the colors of the sunset. No matter which is your favorite Disney couple, you can find a Thomas Kinkade puzzle depicting them here!
Mickey and Minnie Hollywood by Ceaco
Even when it comes to couples who seem to be meant for each other, things don’t always end well. (Golden Bachelor, anyone?) Fortunately, most relationships don’t end as badly as they did for Romeo and Juliet! I hadn’t read the Shakespeare play since high school English class, but most of it came back to me putting together the celebrated scenes in this beautiful 1000 piece Ravensburger puzzle by artist, Peter Church. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and hint--I did most of the border last!
Romeo and Juliet by Ravensburger
National Couples Day is a day “for partners to reconnect, express their appreciation for each other, and strengthen their relationship” so what better way than by sharing a puzzle? I hope you and your significant other can find at least one to enjoy together!
Dawn @5wolves
