Christmas is just around the corner, which means 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. 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 Sudoku? 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 mind sharp, 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!
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.
Escape Room Challenge
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.
