New York Times Strands Hints and Answers for December 25, 2024

This Christmas Day, the NYT Games Strands puzzle presents a festive challenge: "A Visit From Santa." To conquer this word puzzle, you must not only decipher the theme but also unravel the words hidden within the jumbled letters.

Even experienced Strands players might find this puzzle tricky. This guide offers assistance, from general hints to complete solutions, catering to all skill levels.

NYT Games Strands Puzzle #297 (December 25, 2024)

The puzzle features nine elements: a pangram and eight thematically related words.

Hints and Clues

The following sections provide incremental hints, with spoilers progressively revealed.

General Hint 1: Consider what Santa might bring as gifts.

General Hint 2: Think about small, typical gifts.

General Hint 3: What small items might fill a Christmas stocking?

Spoiler 1 (Partial Solution): The word "Candy" is included.

Spoiler 2 (Partial Solution): The word "Toys" is also in the puzzle.

Complete Solution

If you're ready for the complete answer, the theme is Stocking Stuffers. The words are: Toys, Plushie, Orange, Socks, Scarf, Coal, Candy, and Pens.

Theme Explanation

The clue, "A Visit From Santa," suggests gifts, many of which are small enough to fit inside a stocking. The themed words represent common stocking stuffer items.

Ready to play? Visit the New York Times Games Strands website; it's accessible on most devices with a web browser.