Welcome to On the Grid Puzzles by Garrett Chalfin

Request a Custom Puzzle

Custom crosswords for unforgettable gifts and occasions. Built around your people and stories.

Garrett Chalfin is a published crossword constructor whose puzzles have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, and other outlets. He has also been profiled in New York Magazine.

How It Works

Sample grid from a previous custom puzzle. Personal details removed.

I offer a white-glove custom crossword service for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, corporate events, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Each puzzle is built from scratch around the person or occasion.

The best custom puzzles come from the small details: a favorite phrase, a beloved pet, a shared restaurant, a family joke, or the place where everything started. I weave those details into the clues, answers, and hidden messages so the puzzle feels authentic, meaningful and fun to solve.

Start a Puzzle

Interested in commissioning a custom crossword?
Leave your email and I’ll reach out within 48 hours. Custom puzzles start at $300. Sample puzzles available upon request.

FAQ

Have you made custom crosswords before?Yes. I created On the Grid Puzzles because, over the years, people have reached out to commission custom crosswords for personal occasions. I’ve made puzzles for proposals, an 80th birthday, anniversaries, and gifts between friends. Each one was built around the recipient, occasion, and small personal details that made the puzzle feel unmistakably theirs.

How does the process work?You’ll send a short note about the occasion, and I’ll follow up to learn more about the recipient, tone, and details you want included. From there, I’ll construct a custom crossword and revise it with you until it feels just right.

What occasions do you make puzzles for?
Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, retirements, corporate events, holidays, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

How far in advance should I reach out?As early as possible! A few weeks in advance is ideal, especially for weddings, birthdays, and events. Urgent requests may be accommodated, depending on my capacity.