It's Christmas Day, and it's time for another Connections puzzle from the New York Times! If you've tackled their holiday puzzles before, you know they can be deceptively tricky, often subtly incorporating a holiday theme without being overtly festive.

Need a hand with today's puzzle? Look no further! This guide provides hints, category-specific clues, and even full spoilers – everything you need except the basic Connections rules.

Words in NYT Connections Puzzle #563 (December 25, 2024):

The puzzle includes: Queen, Star, Cupid, Strong, Rudolph, Sagittarius, Nanny, Comet, Vixen, Moon, Robin Hood, Shannon, Hawkeye, Fey, Jenny, and Planet.

Jenny: A Quick Definition

A "jenny" can refer to a spinning jenny (a yarn-spinning machine), a female given name, a female animal of certain species, or a slang nautical term for a jib sail.

Hints & Spoilers:

The following sections offer hints and solutions, revealed by clicking "read more" (simulated here by expanding the section).

General Hints:

1. No category focuses on reindeer names.
2. No category focuses solely on female first names.
3. "Shannon" and "Strong" belong in the same category.

Yellow Category (Easy): Hints

Think black holes and satellites.

Yellow Category (Easy): Answer

Celestial Objects

Yellow Category (Easy): Answer & Words

Celestial Objects: Comet, Moon, Planet, Star

Green Category (Medium): Hints

Consider Katniss, Artemis, and Legolas.

Green Category (Medium): Answer

Archers

Green Category (Medium): Answer & Words

Archers: Cupid, Hawkeye, Robin Hood, Sagittarius

Blue Category (Hard): Hints

Think "doe," "hen," and "molly."

Blue Category (Hard): Answer

Female Animals

Blue Category (Hard): Answer & Words

Female Animals: Jenny, Nanny, Queen, Vixen

Purple Category (Tricky): Hints

Think comedians.

Purple Category (Tricky): Answer

SNL Cast Members

Purple Category (Tricky): Answer & Words

SNL Cast Members: Fey, Rudolph, Shannon, Strong

Complete Answers:

• Yellow - Celestial Objects: Comet, Moon, Planet, Star
• Green - Archers: Cupid, Hawkeye, Robin Hood, Sagittarius
• Blue - Female Animals: Jenny, Nanny, Queen, Vixen
• Purple - SNL Cast Members: Fey, Rudolph, Shannon, Strong

Ready to play? Head over to the New York Times Games Connections website – it's playable on most devices with a browser.