As Christmas is just around the corner, it’s time for last minute shopping. It’s time to get the little bits of Christmas food, the few presents you forgot about in time for the big day, and then the late nights just before wrapping everything up. It’s usually quite a stressful time until the 25th, as you all know, some friends and family are simply harder to buy for than others, whereas others practically throw their christmas list at you. There are lots of types of people with different personalities that are difficult to buy for, but for now we’ll focus on one: What do I get a brainiac for Christmas? How do I buy for someone whose hobbies are typically playing brain stimulating games for fun, like Crosswords, or Sudoku? Christmas Crossword? Christmas Sudoku? Is that a thing? Worry not - here are some ideas for gifts for people who might just enjoy a quiet room and a good brain teaser.
Mensa Brain Teaser Calendar (2024)
Every year Mensa releases cute little calendars in which each day has a brain teaser to solve. They’re a great gift for people who like a challenge, want to keep their mental focus strong, and can also bring a great start to the day. The challenges are random and have varying difficulties, from mathematical equations, word puzzles and logic challenges to unjumbling letters to create words and sentences. And if Brain teasers specifically aren’t your thing, don’t worry! Mensa also has a Crossword version of the calendar!
Sudoku Calendar (2024)
The same as the above, but for Sudoku lovers! Mensa doesn't currently have a version of this, but there are a few other companies that do have calendars, for those who have a spare 10 minutes on their lunch break.
A Giant Lego Set
Now, stay with me. This gift might sound a bit immature, but don't underestimate the allure of lego. Especially when that lego set is to build a replica of, I don't know - Hogwarts? It may not be as mentally challenging as other puzzle-esque gifts, but everyone likes to wind down and do something slower and therapeutic now and then, and this provides exactly that. Lego have expanded and have replicas of countless movie and game franchises, so you’re bound to find one that works for the person you’re buying a gift for. How about a replica of the DeLorean time machine, to go back and redo that puzzle they struggled to complete a few days ago?
Escape Room Challenge
Escape rooms are not only a great challenge, but also a great way for people to bond and work together to succeed. For those who have never done one, escape rooms are basically as it sounds; Your objective is to escape a room or set of rooms with your teammates. You’ll be locked somewhere with no clues, and usually nothing visibly to help - until you start to think a bit and search. You have to solve riddles, move items, check floorboards and find safety lock combinations in a specific amount of time to escape and complete the challenge. Sounds fun, right? It gets better - escape rooms typically have a theme to help visualise, set the scene and story, for example you might be in a horror style room where you’re trapped in a dungeon, or a medieval castle cellar where you’ve been captured by a conqueror and need to find your way out before the sun rises. Whatever it may be, there's usually something for everyone, and finding your way out is one of the most satisfying feelings you’ll experience. What’s more, you usually get a certificate or your name plastered onto the fabled wall of fame for your efforts. Maybe even a mug or a T-shirt.
Guinness World Records Book
Who doesn’t love a giant hardback with a list of the craziest and most imaginative records out there in the world? This is a great gift for anyone who enjoys a bit of trivia, and maybe someone who enjoys a challenge. Who knows, maybe you are buying the book for the next holder of a World Record!
Think You Know It All? Genius Edition
The ultimate book, for the ultimate know it all. This is the perfect gift for people who love just knowing random facts. Does anyone have that friend who just happens to know the most outrageous little nuggets of knowledge? Yeah, that person would love this. It’s full of activities and general knowledge questions that should keep the entertained for quite some time, and keep their brain in training for the next time you need a member for your local pub quiz.