The December 24 NYT Strands puzzle focused on comfort, warmth, and togetherness.
The spangram tied all theme words into a cozy, shared experience.
The puzzle rewarded pattern recognition and emotional associations over obscure vocabulary.
The NYT Strands puzzle of Wednesday, December 24, is a challenge that is both warm and comforting, that fits perfectly with the season. Strands is very popular for mixing word search mechanics with clever themes, inviting players to identify the words that are related and hidden in the six-by-eight grid. Today’s puzzle leans into feelings of comfort, calm, and togetherness, making it both relaxing and satisfying to solve.
The theme of today's NYT Strands is 'Gather Around,' which indicates a specific time of warmth and intimacy. Think of cozy spaces, soft textures, and relaxed settings where people are very comfortable. Each theme word represents the comfort, either physical or emotional, and the grid design also makes the atmosphere snug.
Below are gentle hints of the puzzle to guide the solver without giving away full answers:
Starts with CO, five letters, and often describes a warm atmosphere.
Starts with HO, five letters, associated with welcoming spaces.
Starts with WA, four letters, linked to temperature and comfort.
Starts with SO, four letters, and often describes texture.
Starts with SN, part of a familiar phrase, very comforting.
Starts with CO, four letters, similar in meaning to comfy.
Starts with RE, eight letters, connected to calm and ease.
Starts with PL, eight letters, describes a soothing experience.
Here are the non-spangram theme words revealed in today’s puzzle:
COMFY
HOMEY
WARM
SOFT
COZY
RELAXING
PLEASANT
The December 24th spangram is SNUG AS A BUG. This phrase simply conveyed the theme and filled the grid perfectly. All the other words were synonyms of comfort and happiness, which made the spangram a solid anchor for the puzzle solution.
Often, starting with shorter, more familiar words will lead to the discovery of larger patterns. Noticing emotional tone or imagery shared through the theme can also help greatly to choose the right words. When the spangram is recognized, it is easier to fit in the rest of the words.
The NYT Strands puzzle of December 24 is characterized by its mild difficulty and pleasant vocabulary. Such puzzles reveal the ability of word games to progress one's logical ability and set up a quiet and delightful daily tour. Look out for the grid of tomorrow, and the new theme for the exploration will be there as well.