Solve today's Christmas Eve Strands puzzle with this helpful guide! Unsure if the puzzle has a holiday theme? This guide provides spoiler-free hints, individual word solutions (if you need them), a theme explanation, and the complete answer if you're truly stumped.

NYT Games Strands Puzzle #296, December 24, 2024

Today's Strands puzzle features the clue Who on Earth...? Seven words need to be found: six themed words and one pangram.

New York Times Games Strands Clues & Hints

Need a nudge without spoilers? These hints subtly point you toward the theme:

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Consider people who inhabit the Earth.

read more### General Hint 2

Hint 2: Think about common given names.

read more### General Hint 3

Hint 3: Focus on names that are also found in nature.

read morePartial Solutions (Individual Word Spoilers)

Stuck on a specific word? These sections offer individual word solutions and their placement in the puzzle. Only open if you want targeted help!

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Brook

read more### Spoiler 2

Word 2: Willow

read moreComplete Solution to Today's New York Times Games Strands

Ready for the full answer? This section reveals all themed words, the pangram, and their positions within the grid.

The theme is NatureNames. The words are Holly, Willow, Brook, Laurel, River, and Clementine.

read moreTheme Explanation

Still puzzled? This section explains the connection between the clue, the theme, and the words.

All themed words are Nature Names—first names that also represent natural elements (like River). The clue, "Who on Earth...?" fits perfectly, referring to these names found on Earth.

read morePlay Strands today! Find the New York Times Games Strands on their website, accessible on most devices.