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 a pangram.

Clues & Hints (Spoiler-Free):

Need a nudge without revealing too much? These hints point you toward the theme:

General Hint 1

Hint 1: Earthly inhabitants.

General Hint 2

Hint 2: Common given names.

General Hint 3

Hint 3: Names that are also natural elements.

Individual Word Spoilers (Use Cautiously!):

Stuck on a specific word? These sections provide one word solution and its placement in the puzzle:

Spoiler 1

Word 1: Brook

Spoiler 2

Word 2: Willow

Complete Solution (Only if you're truly stumped!):

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

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

Theme Explanation:

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

The themed words are all names that also represent things found in nature (e.g., River). The clue, "Who on Earth...", refers to these earth-based names.

Ready to play? Visit the New York Times Games Strands website, accessible on most devices.