NYT Crossword Puzzle Clues & Solutions Released for 12/25/24

This Christmas Day, the NYT Games Strands puzzle presents a festive challenge! Solve the word puzzle and uncover the Christmas theme to claim victory. Even experienced Strands players might need a helping hand, so this guide provides clues, hints, and – if needed – the complete solution.

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

The clue for today's Strands puzzle is A Visit From Santa. Your mission is to find nine items: a pangram and eight thematically related words.

New York Times Games Strands Clues & Hints

The following sections offer progressive hints, revealing one word per section.

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Consider what Santa might bring as gifts.

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General Hint 2

Hint 2: Think about small, typical gifts.

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General Hint 3

Hint 3: Picture small gifts that would fit inside those cozy, sock-shaped Christmas decorations.

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Spoilers: Two Words & Their Locations

These sections provide spoilers for two words, including their placement within the puzzle grid.

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Candy

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Spoiler 2

Word 2: Toys

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The Complete Solution to Today's Strands Puzzle

If you're ready for the full answer, this section reveals all the themed words and their positions.

The theme is Stocking Stuffers. The words are: Toys, Plushie, Orange, Socks, Scarf, Coal, Candy, and Pens.

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Understanding Today's Strands Puzzle

This section explains how the theme relates to the clue.

The clue "A Visit from Santa" suggests a plethora of gifts, many of which would traditionally be found in a stocking. All the words represent common stocking stuffers.

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