The popular daily word puzzle from The New York Times, Strands, made its return on December 23, 2025, presenting players with a fresh and frosty grid to decipher. This engaging game, which has quickly gained a dedicated following, challenges players to find theme-related words hidden within a letter grid, testing their vocabulary and pattern recognition skills.
Unpacking the Icy Theme of December 23
The central theme for the Strands puzzle on this date was aptly titled 'Br-r-r-r-r!'. This clearly indicated a focus on all things cold, from everyday chilly sensations to extreme winter conditions. Players had to hunt for words directly associated with low temperatures and icy environments. The puzzle required identifying several theme words and one crucial spangram—a longer word that spans the grid and encapsulates the puzzle's core idea.
Hints and Clues for the Frosty Grid
For those seeking a nudge without spoiling the entire solution, the hints guided players to consider common vocabulary used to describe cold weather. The advice was to look for a mix of both mild and severe cold-related terms. Words could be placed in any direction: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The final clue hinted that the spangram itself would perfectly sum up the overall chilly sentiment of the day's challenge.
Complete List of Answers and the Spangram
After careful searching, the seven theme words concealed in the December 23 grid were all uncovered. Each word fit seamlessly into the wintry motif:
- CHILLY
- COLD
- COOL
- FREEZING
- FRIGID
- GLACIAL
- POLAR
Once these theme words were found, the remaining letters revealed the puzzle's spangram: NOTSOHOT. This playful and descriptive phrase effectively tied all the individual cold-themed words together, providing a satisfying conclusion to the puzzle.
The December 23, 2025 edition of Strands offered a fun and accessible challenge centered on a universally understood theme. Whether solved independently or with a little assistance, the puzzle provided a cool dose of daily brain exercise. Fans of the game could look forward to a brand-new grid and theme with the next day's puzzle.
