If you are planning to make a lot of your holiday gifts this season it’s probably about time to get started, no? Josh, of Subtle Takeover, is here today to share a super cute wood puzzle you can make and gift to any kiddos in your life. Might seem a little advanced, but the result is so, so cool and worth the work. Plus, Josh lays out a pretty detailed roadmap for you. You can use whatever colors you prefer to customize for a little guy or gal. Here’s how to make this adorable game:
Geometric Tree Puzzlematerial & tools
24″ by 48″ by 1/2″ birch plywood
wood glue
jig saw
pencil
ruler
drill
1/2″ wood paddle bit
paint
paint brush
Optional:
wood stain
clamps
wood seal
Step 1
Step 1Mark out inner tree/ puzzle pieces section (figure 1). The design is ultimately up to you, but I just used a ruler to create a really neat, simple Christmas tree and drew random, intersecting straight lines.
Step 2
Step 2Drill out finger holes.
Step 3
Cut out pieces. Make sure as you cut out each piece, you are recreating the puzzle, so you don’t have to figure it out with a pile of random pieces!
Step 4
Carefully place assembled puzzle on board, and with a piece of of wood cut 1″ wide, mark the outline of the puzzles backing piece. (Fig 5)
Step 5
Step 4Carefully place assembled puzzle on board, and with a piece of of wood cut 1″ wide, mark the outline of the puzzles backing piece. (Fig 5)
Step 5Cut out backing piece and trace. Assemble puzzle on border piece and trace and cut out. 
Step 6
Step 6Glue border piece (fig. 5) to backing piece (fig. 6) let glue dry then sand.
Paint back ground and while that drys, sand all puzzle pieces. Start with a higher grit (around 80), and work your way down (220)
Step 8
Step 8
Stain puzzle pieces (color of stain is up to you, I used Minwax Jacobean 2750. I thought the dark stain would contrast well with the red). 
Due to the types of paints and stains used in this project this gift is best suited for children who are no longer putting every toy they get a hold of in their mouths. 🙂 If you would like to create this for a younger kid, prone to chewing, we suggest you pay close attention to the labels and suggestions of any paints or sealers you plan to use. Thanks for sharing Josh!
Due to the types of paints and stains used in this project this gift is best suited for children who are no longer putting every toy they get a hold of in their mouths. 🙂 If you would like to create this for a younger kid, prone to chewing, we suggest you pay close attention to the labels and suggestions of any paints or sealers you plan to use. Thanks for sharing Josh!Credits // Author: Josh Rhodes, Photography by: Sarah Rhodes
41 Comments
When I first saw this I thought it was an advent calendar chocolate puzzle.
Cool idea! Love the finished piece xx
This is super cute! I love it!
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
This is such a cute idea! I really want to make this for my house! xo
What a great idea!
This is perfect for kids. I’m on a mission to make all of my gifts homemade and I need to get going fast. 🙂
LOVE THIS!!!
And thank you for sharing the stain color you used. Great choice 🙂
Such a great idea… Love!
Jessica
the way to my Hart
What a great idea!!
xoxo Virginia from http://www.welcometomyjungle.com/
Oh my god! What a beatiful idea! You guys are genious! 🙂
http://andreavytlacilova.com/
I love this! My mom is a bit obsessed with Christmas decorations–this would make a great gift!
love this!
Wow! That’s so beautiful- I don’t think that’s just for kids, either. I would totally be into that!
So nice!!!
SO cute! What a great project! And gift!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I was just thinking of making puzzles for Christmas. Great idea!
This is awesome! It would be fun to apply the technique to an artsy star or other shapes to use during the rest of the year.
It looks pretty! In my personal opinion, any wood toy for a child should use non-toxic paint/stain/sealer. Easily done with any product from Green Building Supply or just seal raw wood with beeswax! Super safe for the little ones.
It’s great! I love it,thank you.
What a great work! Nice idea and very natural!
http://inatrendytown.blogspot.com.es
It’s great! I love it.
This is amazing!!! 🙂
I love yours posts and ideas <3
http://mademoisellejuliet.blogspot.com/
Woah, this is really cool! If I get the chance I might make this for one of my younger brother or sisters 🙂
This is really cool! Way beyond my crafting skills though…
It’s just amazing ! Very nice idea for kiddos and adults!!
Oh my goodness my husband would love to create something like this…although I better not show him as I don’t fancy sawdust flying around the flat as I’m trying to put up our real tree…!
Still brilliant idea!
Katie x
http://missenchanting.blogspot.co.uk/
That’s an amazing idea! Oh if I just had enough time this year.. 🙁
Great puzzle but I was distracted by the gorgeous Bambi deer ornament – where is it from? I’m a new reader of your blog so apologies if you have mentioned it before. x
thanks
Angela
What a wonderful idea. Looks great and beautiful!
Wow! Really nice! I’m thinking of a whole bunch of other designs to make this way…!
Wow,its awesome !!! Great idea !!!
This is so beautiful. I think it would make a good present for an adult too as its so elegant, a sort of alternative Christmas decoration. It could also work with a message of some sort written on the red bit.
I don’t have all the tools so I probably won’t be making this but the tute does make the process look really clear and simple. Thanks 🙂
I really love the way it turned out! Especially with all the puzzle pieces together!
So inventive and it looks like great fun!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/christmas-gift-guide-stocking-fillers.html
This is really beautiful, but I am no way handy enough to make this…can I buy one? 🙂
I want to make this for my dad I think he would love it. 🙂
Impressive!
this is beautiful! i’m just not handy enough to do it. 😛
This is probably one of the most interesting DIY projects I have ever seen!
This looks so beautiful, because of the colors, I guess. Good combo.
Just wonderful!
THAT’S AMAZING! What a fun puzzle and potential gift. Man, I wish I could buy it from you guys! 🙂
so cute!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com