Issue #661 Wed 24 Dec
NYT Strands Hints & Answer — December 24, 2025
The winter solstice brings a need for inward focus. Today's grid offers a steady path through a series of connected ideas.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
A wool blanket tucked tight against the draft, right before the lights go out.
States of physical and mental ease
CONDITION OF BEING WELL PROTECTED
Spangram 4 hints · 10 letters
The connector word
A ten-letter compound noun
10 letters.
Starts with S, ends with G.
SNUGASABUG
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (5 letters)
- 2 C (4 letters)
- 3 H (5 letters)
- 4 P (8 letters)
- 5 R (8 letters)
- 6 S (4 letters)
- 7 W (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CO (5 letters)
- 2 CO (4 letters)
- 3 HO (5 letters)
- 4 PL (8 letters)
- 5 RE (8 letters)
- 6 SO (4 letters)
- 7 WA (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The kind of worn-in armchair that holds your shape perfectly after a long day.
5 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COMFY
Theme word 2 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A small fireplace flickering in a room where you have nowhere else to be.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COZY
Theme word 3 of 7 5 hints · 5 letters
A theme word
The feeling of walking through the front door and immediately leaving the day behind.
5 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HO.
HOMEY
Theme word 4 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
A conversation that flows without effort over a shared pot of tea.
8 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PL.
PLEASANT
Theme word 5 of 7 5 hints · 8 letters
A theme word
Watching the clock slow down while you lean back with a heavy book.
8 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RE.
RELAXING
Theme word 6 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
The texture of a sweater that has been washed one too many times.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SO.
SOFT
Theme word 7 of 7 5 hints · 4 letters
A theme word
A thick mug held between both hands to stop the morning chill.
4 letters.
Starts with W.
Starts with WA.
WARM
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
- COMFY
- COZY
- HOMEY
- PLEASANT
- RELAXING
- SOFT
- WARM
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Strands on December 24, 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 24, 2025, or browse every Strands puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Strands on December 24, 2025?
NYT Strands on December 24, 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 24, 2025 Strands spangram start?
The spangram is 10 letters long and stretches right across the board. It begins with the letter "S" — 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 24, 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 · 10-letter spangram
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 7 theme words · 10-letter spangram