Issue #294 Sun 22 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 22, 2024
A seasonal grid that demands patience. The path through these letters is longer than usual, requiring a steady hand to keep the sequence intact.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Cold air, a muffled landscape, and the quiet magic of a world turned entirely white overnight.
Seasonal atmosphere and environmental imagery
FROSTY SEASONAL LANDSCAPES
Spangram 4 hints · 16 letters
The connector word
A single compound noun.
16 letters.
Starts with W, ends with D.
WINTERWONDERLAND
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (5 letters)
- 2 G (10 letters)
- 3 S (6 letters)
- 4 S (4 letters)
- 5 W (7 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BE (5 letters)
- 2 GL (10 letters)
- 3 SL (6 letters)
- 4 SN (4 letters)
- 5 WA (7 letters)
Theme word 1 of 5 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
Small metallic instruments that ring out from a steeple or a front door.
5 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BELLS
Theme word 2 of 5 5 hints · 10 letters
A theme word
What light does when it hits an icy surface just right.
10 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GL.
GLISTENING
Theme word 3 of 5 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A wooden vehicle pulled across the ice by a team of horses.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SL.
SLEIGH
Theme word 4 of 5 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The white powder that settles on rooftops and muffles every sound.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SN.
SNOW
Theme word 5 of 5 5 hints · 7 letters
A theme word
Moving through a neighborhood on foot to see the holiday lights.
7 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WA.
WALKING
Spoiler zone
Complete Strands answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
Reveal the spangram
Reveal all theme words
- BELLS
- GLISTENING
- SLEIGH
- SNOW
- WALKING
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 22, 2024. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Strands answer for December 22, 2024, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 22, 2024?
NYT Strands on December 22, 2024 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 5 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the December 22, 2024 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 16 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "W" — the hints above ease you toward the rest one step at a time, without spelling it out.
What is the theme of NYT Strands on December 22, 2024?
We keep the theme under wraps here so nothing is spoiled — but the ladder above walks you into it, starting with the puzzle's overall vibe. Want it stated outright, with the spangram and all 5 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 16-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 5 theme words · 16-letter spangram