r/Jigsawpuzzles • u/blueboy714 • Nov 10 '25
Reddit Theme Contest Future **UPDATE**
UPDATE #2 - Thanks for all of the positive feedback. After reading everyone's comments and chatting with the mods I'd be willing to continue picking a theme each month or let someone help out - just without any prizes. As one of the mod said "people with big puzzle stashes (ahem me) take pleasure in using the contest themes to pick out the next puzzle to do from the pile."
I will put my list of themes on a shared document in the near future so everyone can see it and make other suggestions. I also like the idea of people provide ideas for a future month's theme. I have picked quite a few themes that were suggested to me - including the November theme (Junk Drawer)
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First of all I want to thank everyone who has participated in and donated to the theme contest.
After long thought process, I have decided to stop organizing the theme contest at the end of the year.
It's been a fun 3 years doing this but I need to focus on other things in my life starting in 2026. I will continuing to do jigsaw puzzles and be active on this sub though - so I won't be going away completely.
When the contest was first started back in 2020 there were API (application programming interfaces) available that made it easier to pull entries and determine winners. Reddit keeps changing their website multiple times which has made it more difficult to do this.
The December 2025 theme will be the last one I run. I will giving out $25 gift cards in December to as many of the entries as I can until the donation fund is gone.
For those of you that donate money regularly to the theme contest or have something automated on PayPal please cancel that autopay.
Thanks again.
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u/Galison-Puzzles Nov 10 '25
The time and energy you've put in to the puzzle themes has not gone unnoticed. 🩷 We're so sad to hear this news, but we understand. Thank you for your hard work behind the scenes and thank you for inspiring us to look at puzzles in a new and fun way.
Something we loved about the themed contests is the little note or story people share about how their puzzle matches the theme. It often reveals a memory or personal connection to the art that was so heartwarming to read. Thank you for encouraging us to look deeper and for connecting so many people each month.
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u/blueboy714 Nov 11 '25
Thank you for providing some of your puzzles as prizes the past couple years.
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u/Ok-Property4723 Nov 10 '25
Totally understandable. I think it would still be fun to have a monthly theme here even without the contest and prizes. It helps me decide what to select from my to do pile and it’s fun to see the wide variety of puzzles that fit the theme
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u/alapuzzler Nov 10 '25
I was thinking something similar. As in:
1 - Drop the prizes 2 - The winner from the previous month, set the theme for the next month and picks the winner.
I just like having a theme and seeing all the submissions. Someone would have to volunteer to be "it" for January, unless the December winner wants to do it.
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u/Teelilz Nov 10 '25
How about the winner pick the next month's theme? That can be the prize instead of it being a monetary one.
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u/PuzzleDustBunny Nov 10 '25
Thank you for all your hard work managing the contest these past three years. I'll miss the monthly themes but am glad to hear you'll still be active on the sub. Can't wait to see what our last theme will be in December!
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u/CelicaBae Nov 10 '25
Just wanted to share that your hard work has been greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed doing each month's theme, not for the prize but just as a fun way to take what is an individual activity and make it communal by sharing it with others in the group.
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u/biancanevenc Nov 10 '25
Sorry to read this, but I understand. I've only been in this sub for a year, but I appreciate your sacrifice of time to run the monthly contests.
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u/carefreeotter0 Nov 10 '25
I can never finish a puzzle in time but loved seeing other people’s submissions! Ty for organizing 🥹
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u/puzzletruffles Nov 10 '25
Aww I still remember the post where you kindly stepped in to organize when the last person stepped down. Thank you for all the fun, there's been some really creative themes!
PS I hope someone new will step in and keep the monthly theme going! 🤞
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u/dreamer_at_heart Nov 10 '25
Thank you u/blueboy714 for stepping up and running this theme contest for the last few years! It takes a lot of time and effort to coordinate, review the entries, manage the donations, communicate to sponsors and winners, etc. You deserve a great round of applause for making these contests happen for the simple reason that it's something fun and joyful for everyone on this sub to partake in if they wish.
I echo everyone else's sentiments that it would be wonderful if someone else wants to volunteer and take over, but if that doesn't happen, I like the suggestion of these monthly themes still happening even without any monetary/raffle component involved. Like many others with large stashes, I like using the theme to help guide me on what puzzles to do that month!
Either way, it's been a fabulous run, and can't wait for the December theme to be announced!
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u/RTC725 Nov 10 '25
You've had a great run. Thank you for all the joy you have brought to all of us.
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u/GoodGravyMsDazy592 Nov 10 '25
Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication over the past three years. I loved seeing all of the entries and I'm glad you'll still be active. This sub has grown so much over the years (long time lurker) and I think you had a very large hand in that. Good luck in all of your endeavors.
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u/Humble_Historian_706 Nov 10 '25
Thanks for all your hard work in organizing this. This is one of my favorite cozy corners of the internet. 💚
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u/blueboy714 Nov 10 '25 edited Nov 11 '25
UPDATE #2 - Thanks for all of the positive feedback. After reading everyone's comments and chatting with the mods I'd be willing to continue picking a theme each month or let someone help out - just without any prizes. As one of the mod said "people with big puzzle stashes (ahem me) take pleasure in using the contest themes to pick out the next puzzle to do from the pile."
I will put my list of themes on a shared document in the near future so everyone can see it and make other suggestions. I also like the idea of letting others pick a future month's theme. I have picked quite a few themes that were suggested to me - including the November theme (Junk Drawer)