Issue #659 Mon 22 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 22, 2025
A quiet Sunday grid that leans into the seasonal cycle of exchange. Keep your eyes on the layout as you navigate the board.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You receive a box with a bow, hold onto it for a month, and then hand it to someone else at a different party.
Social etiquette and holiday traditions
CIRCULATING UNWANTED PRESENT
Spangram 4 hints · 9 letters
The connector word
Single word gerund
9 letters.
Starts with R, ends with G.
REGIFTING
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 C (6 letters)
- 3 E (8 letters)
- 4 G (6 letters)
- 5 L (6 letters)
- 6 S (5 letters)
- 7 W (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BO (4 letters)
- 2 CA (6 letters)
- 3 EA (8 letters)
- 4 GA (6 letters)
- 5 LO (6 letters)
- 6 SC (5 letters)
- 7 WI (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A dusty hardback sitting on your nightstand that you have already finished.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BO.
BOOK
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A wax cylinder that smells like pine but has never been lit.
6 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CA.
CANDLE
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Small pieces of jewelry that have spent years sitting in a velvet tray.
8 letters.
Starts with E.
Starts with EA.
EARRINGS
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
An electronic device still in its original packaging that you never quite learned to use.
6 letters.
Starts with G.
Starts with GA.
GADGET
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 6 letters
A theme word
A fragrant cream in a pump bottle that you keep meaning to open.
6 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LO.
LOTION
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
A knitted accessory that stays folded in the back of the closet.
5 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SC.
SCARF
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A bottle pulled from the cellar to bring to a dinner party you were invited to last minute.
4 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WI.
WINE
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
- BOOK
- CANDLE
- EARRINGS
- GADGET
- LOTION
- SCARF
- WINE
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 22, 2025. 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, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 22, 2025?
NYT Strands on December 22, 2025 rates 3 out of 4 — a tougher-than-average puzzle. There are 7 theme words to find, plus the spangram that ties them together.
Where does the December 22, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 9 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "R" — 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, 2025?
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 7 words? Open the answer section on this page.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 9-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 9-letter spangram