Welcome to your complete guide for the New York Times Strands puzzle for December 22, 2025! If you’re working through today’s word-search challenge and need some assistance—whether it’s identifying the theme, finding specific words, or locating that elusive spangram—we’ve got you covered with comprehensive hints and answers.
Ready to play? Head over to NYT Strands and dive into today’s puzzle!
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is the New York Times’ innovative word-search puzzle game that combines traditional word-finding with thematic thinking. Unlike conventional word searches where you’re given a list of words to find, Strands challenges you to discover theme-related words hidden in a grid of letters without knowing what they are in advance.
Each puzzle features:
- A grid of letters (typically 6×8 or 8×6)
- A theme that connects all the words
- Multiple theme words to discover
- A special “spangram” that spans the entire grid and relates to the theme
- Words that use every letter in the grid exactly once
How to Play NYT Strands
Here’s a step-by-step guide for newcomers:
- Read the theme clue provided at the top of the puzzle
- Look for words in the letter grid by connecting adjacent letters
- Submit words by tracing a path through connected letters (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally)
- Find all theme words that relate to the given clue
- Locate the spangram: a special word that touches two opposite sides of the board and encapsulates the theme
- Use every letter: When complete, all letters should be used in words (highlighted in blue for theme words, yellow for the spangram)
- Get hints: If stuck, find three non-theme words to receive a hint
The challenge lies in interpreting the theme correctly and finding words that fit, all while searching for the spangram that ties everything together.
General Strands Strategy Tips
Before we dive into today’s specific puzzle, here are some universal strategies:
- Decode the theme first: Understanding what you’re looking for is half the battle
- Start with obvious words: Look for common words related to the theme
- Find the spangram early: It often provides major clues about the theme
- Work systematically: Scan the grid methodically rather than randomly
- Look for common patterns: Familiar letter combinations (ING, TION, etc.) can help
- Consider word lengths: Longer words are often easier to spot
- Use the hint system: Three non-theme words earn you a helpful hint
- Think creatively: The theme might be interpreted in unexpected ways
- Check letter usage: Unused letters can guide you to missing words
- Don’t overthink: Sometimes the theme is more straightforward than it seems
Today’s Theme Clue for December 22, 2025
Before we provide specific hints, let’s start with the theme clue for today’s puzzle:
Theme: Things you might pass along
This theme is particularly timely given that it’s December 22nd, just a few days before Christmas! Think about the social practice related to the holiday season and gift-giving traditions.
Strands Hints for December 22, 2025
Let’s provide progressive hints without immediately revealing all the answers:
General Theme Hints
Hint 1: The theme relates to a common practice during the holidays, especially after receiving presents.
Hint 2: Think about what happens when you receive a gift you don’t want or need—what might you do with it?
Hint 3: This is a practice where items are given to someone else after you’ve received them, sometimes without the original giver knowing.
Hint 4: The spangram for today directly names this practice, which has become somewhat controversial but remains common.
Specific Word Hints
Without revealing the words themselves, here are the categories of items you’re looking for:
Word Type 1: Something you read for leisure or learning Word Type 2: A modern electronic device or tool Word Type 3: An alcoholic beverage, often given as a gift Word Type 4: A clothing accessory worn around the neck for warmth Word Type 5: A waxy object that produces light and fragrance Word Type 6: Jewelry worn on the ears Word Type 7: A liquid product used for skin care
Spangram Hint
Starting Letter: R Ending Letter: G Letter Count: 9 letters Definition: The act of giving a received gift to someone else Usage Context: “I’m guilty of _____ that sweater my aunt gave me.”
Letter Pattern Hints
If you’re stuck on specific words, here are some letter patterns to look for:
- Look for a 4-letter word starting with B
- Find a 6-letter word starting with G
- Search for a 4-letter word starting with W
- Locate a 5-letter word starting with S
- Find a 6-letter word starting with C
- Look for an 8-letter word starting with E
- Search for a 6-letter word starting with L
More Daily Puzzle Games for December 22, 2025
If you enjoy daily word and logic challenges, try these other fantastic puzzles:
- Wordle 1647 – December 22, 2025
- Bandle – December 22, 2025
- Globle – December 22, 2025
- Worldle – December 22, 2025
- Quordle – December 22, 2025
NYT Strands Answers for December 22, 2025
SPOILER WARNING: All answers including the spangram are revealed below. Don’t scroll further if you still want to solve the puzzle on your own!
Today’s Theme Words
The complete answers for NYT Strands on December 22, 2025, are:
- BOOK
- GADGET
- WINE
- SCARF
- CANDLE
- EARRINGS
- LOTION
Today’s Spangram
REGIFTING
Understanding Today’s Theme: Regifting
Today’s Strands puzzle cleverly focuses on the practice of regifting—giving someone a gift that you previously received from someone else. This theme is particularly relevant just days before Christmas, when many people receive presents and later pass some along to others.
What is Regifting?
Regifting is the act of taking a gift you’ve received and giving it to someone else. While it can be considered taboo or rude by some, it’s become an increasingly accepted practice, especially when:
- The gift doesn’t suit your needs or preferences
- You received duplicate items
- The gift would be perfect for someone else
- The item is unused and in perfect condition
The Psychology and Ethics of Regifting
The practice has become more socially acceptable in recent years, particularly with growing awareness of sustainability and waste reduction. However, there are unwritten rules:
Do’s of Regifting:
- Only regift items in perfect, unused condition
- Make sure the gift is appropriate for the new recipient
- Remove any cards, tags, or evidence of the original giver
- Don’t regift within the same social circle
- Be honest if asked directly
Don’ts of Regifting:
- Never regift personalized or handmade items
- Don’t regift anything damaged, used, or outdated
- Avoid regifting to the person who gave it to you
- Don’t regift items that might embarrass the recipient
Why These Items?
Each word in today’s puzzle represents a commonly regifted item:
BOOK – One of the most commonly regifted items, especially when someone receives a book they’ve already read or one that doesn’t match their interests. Books remain in excellent condition and are easy to pass along.
GADGET – Electronic accessories, kitchen gadgets, and tech items are frequently regifted, especially when someone receives duplicate items or something they’ll never use. Think of phone cases, USB drives, or kitchen tools.
WINE – A classic regift item, particularly when someone receives multiple bottles during the holidays or receives wine they don’t prefer. Wine is universal, doesn’t spoil quickly, and is easy to pass along.
SCARF – Clothing accessories like scarves are among the most regifted items because they’re common gifts that don’t always match someone’s style or wardrobe. They’re also typically unworn and easy to repackage.
CANDLE – Perhaps the most frequently regifted item of all. Many people receive multiple candles during the holidays, and scent preferences are highly personal. Unused candles in their original packaging are perfect for regifting.
EARRINGS – Jewelry, particularly earrings, is often regifted when the style doesn’t suit the recipient’s taste, or if someone doesn’t have pierced ears. Unworn earrings are easy to present as new gifts.
LOTION – Bath and body products are commonly regifted, especially when someone receives a scent they don’t like or accumulates too many similar products. These items typically come in nice packaging and are easy to pass along.
Cultural Context: Regifting Around the Holidays
The timing of today’s puzzle—December 22, 2025—is no coincidence. We’re in the heart of the holiday season when:
- Gift exchanges are happening: Office parties, family gatherings, and friend celebrations mean lots of gift-giving
- Duplicate gifts are common: With multiple celebrations, people often receive similar items
- Last-minute shopping occurs: Some people resort to regifting when they haven’t prepared gifts
- Sustainability is top of mind: More people consider regifting as an eco-friendly alternative to buying new
Studies suggest that up to 30% of Americans have regifted at least once, with the practice becoming more common and accepted, especially among younger generations concerned with reducing waste.
Puzzle Analysis: Why This Theme Works
Today’s Strands puzzle is particularly clever because:
- Timely relevance: The December 22nd date makes the regifting theme especially appropriate
- Relatable items: Everyone recognizes these as typical gifts
- Clear connection: The spangram REGIFTING perfectly encapsulates what all items have in common
- Varied word lengths: From 4-letter words (BOOK, WINE) to 8-letter words (EARRINGS), the puzzle offers good variety
- Common vocabulary: All words are familiar, making the puzzle accessible
- Cultural commentary: The theme subtly acknowledges a real social practice
Advanced Strands Strategies Based on Today’s Puzzle
Here are some strategies demonstrated by today’s puzzle:
- Consider seasonal themes: Puzzles often relate to current events, holidays, or seasons
- Think about categories: Today’s theme is essentially “commonly regifted items”
- Look for the spangram first: REGIFTING would have immediately clarified the theme
- Consider word associations: Once you find one gift item, think of others in that category
- Use common sense: The most obvious gifts are often the answer
- Don’t overcomplicate: “Things you might pass along” is clearer than it might seem
Tips for Future Strands Puzzles
To improve your Strands performance:
- Stay current: Be aware of holidays, seasons, and current events
- Think laterally: Themes can be interpreted in various ways
- Build vocabulary: The more words you know, the easier it becomes
- Practice pattern recognition: Train your eye to spot words in letter grids
- Consider multiple meanings: Words in the theme might share an unexpected connection
- Use the hint system wisely: Don’t be afraid to find three random words for a hint
- Check your work: Make sure all letters are used and highlighted
- Learn from each puzzle: Note themes and word types that appear frequently
Strands Difficulty Rating: December 22, 2025
Overall Difficulty: Medium
Theme Clarity: High – Once you understand “things you might pass along” refers to regifting, the theme becomes clear
Word Difficulty: Low to Medium – All words are common and recognizable
Spangram Difficulty: Medium – REGIFTING is the perfect word for the theme, but might not be immediately obvious
Grid Challenge: Medium – With words ranging from 4 to 8 letters, there’s good variety without being overwhelming
Conclusion
Congratulations on working through today’s NYT Strands puzzle! The regifting theme for December 22, 2025, offered a timely and relatable challenge that acknowledged a common—if sometimes controversial—holiday practice. From books to bottles of wine, from scarves to scented candles, today’s words represented items that frequently find their way from one gift-giver to another.
Whether you solved the puzzle quickly by identifying the spangram early, or worked through the theme words methodically, each discovery brought you closer to completing the grid. The beauty of Strands lies in that satisfying moment when the theme clicks and you can strategically hunt down the remaining words.
Come back tomorrow for a fresh Strands challenge with a new theme to decode and words to discover. Don’t forget to explore our other daily puzzle guides to keep your mind sharp across different types of word games!
Share your Strands results with friends and see who can crack tomorrow’s theme first. Happy puzzling, and may all your regifts be well-received!
Did you regift anything this holiday season? Today’s puzzle reminds us that it’s a perfectly acceptable practice when done thoughtfully—and it might even save you a last-minute shopping trip!
