NYT Strands today – my hints, answers and spangram for Sunday December 29 (game #301)

Strands is the NYT’s newest word game, following Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s a lot of fun. It can be difficult though, so read on for my Strands tips.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about today’s NYT Strands is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #301) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Festival of Lights treats

NYT Strands Today (Game #301) – Hint #2 – Clue Words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hint system.

  • STICK
  • BEL
  • BROKEN
  • SNAIL
  • PHONE CALL
  • JAMES

NYT Strands today (game #301) – hint #3 – spangram

What’s a hint for today’s spangram?

Jewish celebration

NYT Strands Today (Game #301) – Hint #4 – Spangram Position

What are the two sides of the board that today’s spangram comes into contact with?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: bottom, 2nd column

Okay, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands Today (Game #301) – The Answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #301, are…

  • KUGEL
  • LATKES
  • CHEST
  • CHALLA
  • APPLE SAUCE
  • SPANGRAM: HANNUKA FOOD

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: 1 tip

Sufganiyot is the largest item left from this list of HANUKKAH FOODS – or more accurately, HANNUKAH FOODS, because the NYT spells the holiday name differently than how it is commonly listed elsewhere. That said, it’s one of those words that has multiple spellings in common use, so maybe this is just another word I haven’t seen before.

Anyway, back to Sufganiyot. For me, donuts are a year-round treat. I even have a loyalty card for a bakery chain that rewards me with a free weekly donut – such is my loyalty that I haven’t missed my free gift yet.

We’ll have to wait until 2027 before Christmas and the eight-day Jewish festival coincide closely again, when it begins on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, Festivus – the festival for the rest of us – is still celebrated on December 23, with the annual “airing out of grievances”. I’m not sure if Festivus revelers eat donuts, but they really should.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Yesterday’s NYT Strands Answers (Saturday, December 28, Game #300)

  • LAVENDER
  • PATCHOULI
  • CEDAR WOOD
  • EUCALYPTUS
  • SPANGRAM: AROMATHERAPY

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT’s new word game, after Wordle and Connections. It is now out of beta so is a full member of the NYT’s stable of games and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I have a full guide to playing NYT Strands, complete with troubleshooting tips, so give that a read if you’re struggling to beat it every day.

Related Post