This article provides a guide to solving the New York Times’ Strands puzzle for a particular day, focusing on the Christmas-themed challenge titled “Pass the eggnog.” The author begins by acknowledging the festive season and the puzzle’s timely theme, noting that this is the second consecutive day the New York Times has presented a Christmas-related puzzle. A brief introduction to Strands follows, describing it as a new word search game with a twist. Players must identify words within a grid that relate to a given theme, including a special word called a “spangram” that spans two sides of the board and further illuminates the theme.
The article then proceeds to offer hints for solving the puzzle. The first hint, “Think of your taste buds,” subtly directs players towards flavors associated with the holiday season. The second hint advises players to consider the component parts of the longer, compound words present in the puzzle, suggesting a strategy of breaking down the words into smaller, recognizable units (morphemes) to aid identification. To further assist players, the author provides the first two letters of every word, including the spangram. This offers a significant starting point, allowing players to scan the grid for matching letter combinations.
Following the hints, the article reveals the solutions, beginning with the spangram: HOLIDAYFLAVOR. This word directly reinforces the Christmas theme and the “Pass the eggnog” title by highlighting flavors typically enjoyed during the holiday season. The remaining words – GINGERBREAD, CRANBERRY, PEPPERMINT, and COCOA – all represent traditional holiday treats and drinks, further solidifying the thematic connection. The inclusion of the completed grid allows readers to visually confirm the location of each word within the puzzle structure.
The author then offers a personal account of their puzzle-solving experience. They note the unusual positioning of the spangram at the top of the grid, and admit to initially identifying “HOLIDAY” without immediately recognizing the full “HOLIDAYFLAVOR.” The length of the words posed a challenge, as exemplified by finding “BREAD” before “GINGERBREAD.” However, the discovery of “CRANBERRY” and “PEPPERMINT” simplified the remaining search, compounded by the relatively small number of total words (five). This commentary provides insight into the puzzle’s difficulty and offers a relatable perspective for other players.
A concluding section encourages reader interaction, inviting them to share their own Strands experiences on social media platforms. The author also promotes their blog, which offers guides to other word puzzles like Wordle, as well as coverage of various entertainment topics. This serves as a gentle call to action, fostering community engagement and directing readers to additional content.
The article effectively breaks down the Strands puzzle, offering a clear path to the solution while maintaining an engaging narrative. The hints, starting letters, and final answers cater to players of varying skill levels, allowing those seeking assistance to find it without spoiling the entire puzzle for those who prefer to solve it independently. The personal anecdote adds a touch of personality and relatability, making the guide more than just a list of answers. The author’s focus on the Christmas theme throughout the article reinforces the festive spirit and connects the puzzle to the broader holiday context. Furthermore, the promotion of other content expands the scope of the article and offers readers further opportunities for engagement with word puzzles and other entertainment topics. The structure of the article – introduction, hints, answers, personal experience, and call to action – provides a logical and easy-to-follow format, making the information readily accessible to all readers.
