Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
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 NYT Strands today 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
NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
- HULK
- SCAN
- LUCK
- SKIN
- CLUE
- GRANT
NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• Hang it up
NYT Strands today (game #297) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: bottom, 4th column
Last side: top, 3rd column
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY 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
- SCARF
- TOYS
- CANDY
- ORANGE
- PLUSHIE
- SPANGRAM: STOCKING
- My rating: Moderate
- My score: Perfect
My mother would always put a piece of COAL – neatly wrapped up of course – in our Christmas STOCKING, a tradition she continued into my adult life.
I always thought that it was intended as a reminder of the real meaning of Christmas amid the ramped-up consumerism, ridiculously raised expectations and over sentimentality. But then she told me the real reason – she thought it was funny.
I also liked my Grandfather’s tradition of re-gifting the present I’d bought him the previous year back to me. The first couple of times I thought it was an error – three Old Spice gift sets in and I knew it was deliberate.
Today’s Strands was surprisingly tricky and it took me ages to work out that the final letters I had left spelled out PLUSHIE.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 24 December, game #296)
- BROOK
- HOLLY
- RIVER
- CLEMENTINE
- LAUREL
- WILLOW
- SPANGERAM: NATURE NAMES
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
