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 #297) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… A Visit from Santa Claus
NYT Strands Today (Game #297) – Hint #2 – Clue Words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hint system.
- HULK
- SCAN
- LUCK
- SKIN
- NOTICE
- SCHOLARSHIP
NYT Strands Today (game #297) – hint #3 – spangram
What’s a hint for today’s spangram?
• Hang it up
NYT Strands Today (Game #297) – Hint #4 – Spangram Position
What are the two sides of the board that today’s spangram contacts?
First side: bottom, 4th column
Last side: top, 3rd column
Okay, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands Today (Game #297) – The Answers
The answers to today’s Strands, game #297, are…
- COAL
- SOCKS
- PENS
- SHAWL
- TOYS
- SWEETS
- ORANGE
- PLUSH
- SPANGRAM: STOCKING
- My rating: Moderate
- My score: Perfect
My mother always put a piece of coal – neatly wrapped, of course – in our Christmas stocking, a tradition she continued into my adult life.
I’ve always thought it was meant to be a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas, amidst the heightened consumerism, ridiculously high expectations, and over-the-top sentimentality. But then she told me the real reason: she thought it was funny.
I also loved my grandfather’s tradition of returning to me the gift I bought him last year. The first few times I thought it was a mistake: there were three Old Spice gift sets in there and I knew it was intentional.
Today’s Strands were surprisingly tricky and it took me forever to figure out that the last letters I left spelled the shape PLUSHIE.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday’s NYT Strands Answers (Tuesday, December 24, Game #296)
- BROOK
- HOLLY
- RIVER
- CLEMENTINE
- LAURIER
- WILLOW
- SPANGERAM: NATURAL NAMES
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.