NYT Strands Hints and Answers for Sunday, December 29: A Fun Festival-Themed Puzzle

If you're a fan of word games like Wordle or Connections, then you've likely encountered Strands, a delightful word puzzle from The New York Times. Strands offers a fresh take on the classic word search, challenging players to find themed words hidden in a grid of letters. This Sunday’s puzzle, December 29, is all about the holiday spirit, with a theme that will warm your heart (and maybe your appetite!).

How to Play Strands

Strands is a word puzzle set on a six-by-eight grid of letters. The goal is simple but satisfying: uncover a set of words that all share a common theme. Each puzzle provides a clue to help guide your search.

As you find words, they’ll remain highlighted in blue, but there’s one very special word in every game called the “spangram.” This word, highlighted in yellow, links at least two sides of the board and reveals the puzzle’s overall theme. The spangram can be a proper name, unlike the other theme words.

Here’s the twist: you can connect letters in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. You can even change directions mid-word! On touchscreen devices, double-tap the last letter of your word to submit it.

Every letter in the grid is part of a theme word or the spangram. If you find three valid words of at least four letters that aren’t part of the theme, you’ll unlock the Hint button. Clicking the Hint button highlights one of the theme words on the board to help you along.

Today’s Strands Puzzle: A Festival of Lights

For December 29, the Strands theme is inspired by the Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah. The official theme hint provided in the game is:

“Festival of Lights delights.”

If you’re looking for an extra nudge, here’s another helpful clue:

“Seasonal treats.”

This festive theme is perfect for the season, celebrating traditional foods and symbols of Hanukkah. There are six theme words to find, including the all-important spangram.

Hints for Today’s Puzzle

If you’d like a small head start, here are the first two letters of each theme word in the puzzle:

• KU
• AP
• HA
• LA
• BR
• CH

Take your time exploring the grid to uncover these words.

Spoiler Alert: Today’s Answers

If you’re stuck or just curious about the answers, here’s the complete list for today’s Strands puzzle. The spangram, which ties everything together, is:

HANUKKAH FOODS

This word stretches across the grid, linking the letters into a cohesive theme.

• The other theme words are:
• KUGEL
• APPLESAUCE
• LATKES
• BRISKET
• CHALLAH

Together, these words highlight some of the most beloved foods and traditions associated with Hanukkah. From crispy potato latkes to sweet, eggy challah bread, each word is a celebration of the flavors and warmth of the holiday season.

How the Completed Puzzle Looks

When the puzzle is complete, all the theme words are highlighted, creating a satisfying conclusion to your word hunt.

Why Strands Is So Fun

What makes Strands such a joy to play is its balance of challenge and creativity. The puzzles encourage you to think critically about connections between words while also celebrating themes that are often timely or meaningful. Today’s puzzle, for example, captures the joy of the Hanukkah season and its rich culinary traditions.

Strands also keeps things fresh by mixing up the difficulty level. Some days, you might be filling in the blanks of a phrase, while on others, the focus could be on synonyms or wordplay. The creators are constantly finding ways to surprise and engage players.

Tips for Success in Strands

• Start with the spangram: Finding the spangram first can help you understand the puzzle’s theme.

• Look for common letter groupings: Words often form around familiar patterns, so scan the grid for clusters of letters that fit the theme.

• Unlock the Hint button: Don’t hesitate to find three valid, non-theme words to activate the Hint button if you’re stuck.

Final Thoughts

Strands is more than just a game—it’s a daily mental workout that sharpens your vocabulary and problem-solving skills while celebrating fun, thematic concepts. Whether you’re playing to unwind or to challenge yourself, each puzzle brings a sense of accomplishment.

For December 29, the Hanukkah-themed Strands puzzle offers a delightful mix of challenge and festivity. So grab a warm drink, cozy up, and dive into the grid to find those delicious words!

If you enjoy Strands, be sure to check out other New York Times games like Wordle and Connections for more daily fun. Happy puzzling!