Hints and Answers for New York Times Crossword (12/24/24)

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 needed), a theme explanation, and the complete answer.

NYT Games Strands Puzzle #296 (December 24, 2024)

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

Helpful Hints (Spoiler-Free)

Need a nudge without revealing too much? These hints point you towards the puzzle's theme:

Hint 1: Think about people who inhabit the Earth.

Hint 2: Consider common given names.

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

Individual Word Spoilers

Stuck on a specific word? These sections provide individual word solutions and their placement within the puzzle. Only open if you need help with a particular word!

Word 1: Brook

Word 2: Willow

Complete Answer

Ready to reveal the entire solution? The complete answer, including all themed words and the pangram, is shown below.

The theme is Nature Names. The words are Holly, Willow, Brook, Laurel, River, Clementine.

Theme Explanation

Still puzzled? This section breaks down how the clue, theme, and words connect.

The themed words are all Nature Names—first names that are also names of things found in nature (e.g., River). The clue, "Who on Earth...?" fits because it refers to these earthly names.

Ready to play? Visit the New York Times Games Strands website – accessible on most devices with a browser.