The New York Times Crossword Hints & Answers, December 23, 2024

Solve the Daily New York Times Games Strands Puzzle!

A new Strands puzzle awaits you each day on the New York Times Games website. This word-search puzzle presents a unique challenge: you must deduce the words without prior knowledge, relying solely on a single clue to uncover the underlying theme. Even experienced players might find this puzzle tricky. This guide provides assistance, including hints and solutions, to help you conquer today's challenge.

NYT Games Strands Puzzle #295 (December 23, 2024)

Today's puzzle features five words to find: a pangram and four thematically linked words. The clue is "Pass the Eggnog."

Hints (Without Spoilers)

Need a nudge without revealing the words? These hints offer guidance:

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Think festive food items.

General Hint 2

Hint 2: Consider flavors often found in holiday coffee drinks.

General Hint 3

Hint 3: These are additions that enhance the seasonal taste of holiday treats.

Partial Solutions (With Spoilers)

Ready for some more direct assistance? These sections reveal two words and their locations:

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Peppermint

Spoiler 2

Word 2: Cranberry

Complete Solution

Need the full answer? Here's the solution, including all themed words and a completed puzzle image:

The theme is Holiday Flavors. The words are Cranberry, Gingerbread, Peppermint, and Cocoa.

Solution Explanation

The clue, "Pass the Eggnog," perfectly encapsulates the theme. Eggnog is a quintessential holiday beverage, and all the themed words represent common holiday flavors used in various treats.

Ready to Play? Visit the New York Times Games Strands website – accessible on most devices with a web browser.