Strands Hint & Answers Dec 22nd, 2025
Pass it along
Look for words related to
Items that can be handed on as presents when they are not right for you 🎁
Spangram Hint
Runs left to right
Spangram clue
What practice means giving someone else a present you previously received?
First letter shown — tap each tile or show the full spangram below
Clue Words
#659 - Monday, December 22nd, 2025
Still stuck? These board words can earn you in-game hint tokens:
- ACES
- BEET
- CANE
- DEBT
- EARL
- FACE
- FACT
- FAIL
- FAIR
- FANG
- FARE
- FAST
Strands Answers
#659 - Monday, December 22nd, 2025
A book can be passed along as a thoughtful gift.
A candle is a familiar present that can be given to someone else.
Earrings are giftable accessories easily passed along.
A gadget can make a practical or fun present for another recipient.
Lotion is a common small gift suitable for passing along.
A scarf makes a versatile gift that may suit someone else better.
Wine is a classic host or holiday gift that can be given onward.
| Word | Why it fits |
|---|---|
| A book can be passed along as a thoughtful gift. | |
| A candle is a familiar present that can be given to someone else. | |
| Earrings are giftable accessories easily passed along. | |
| A gadget can make a practical or fun present for another recipient. | |
| Lotion is a common small gift suitable for passing along. | |
| A scarf makes a versatile gift that may suit someone else better. | |
| Wine is a classic host or holiday gift that can be given onward. |
How Hard Is This Strands?
#659 - Monday, December 22nd, 2025
The theme is straightforward, though several broad gift categories can make the word list less distinctive.
Updated Aug 7, 2026, 9:39 PM EDT
Stuck on NYT Strands from December 22, 2025? You'll find help here without wrecking the puzzle. Below are spoiler-free hints for Strands #659, laid out so you can take just the nudge you need and get back to the board: the theme clue first, then a hint toward the spangram, then the first letters of each theme word. If the hints aren't enough, the full answers — spangram included — are waiting at the very bottom behind a reveal, so you'll only see them when you choose to.
The Strands theme for December 22, 2025
Every Strands puzzle hangs on a single theme, and knowing what to look for is usually the breakthrough. The theme for December 22, 2025 is:
“Pass it along”
Still not clicking? Here's a gentler nudge in plain language: Items that can be handed on as presents when they are not right for you 🎁. Keep that idea in mind as you scan the board — once you know the category, the hidden words start jumping out.
The Strands spangram hint for December 22, 2025
The spangram is the star of every Strands puzzle: a theme word or phrase that stretches from one side of the board to the opposite side and sums up the whole theme. Find it and the rest of the grid tends to fall into place.
The spangram hint: What practice means giving someone else a present you previously received? — it's nine letters long and touches the left and right edges of the board.
Want to confirm it? Reveal the spangram in the section above — the word itself stays hidden until you tap each letter or choose “Show Spangram.”
Hints for the theme words on December 22, 2025
Sometimes you just need to know where to start. Here are the first letters and lengths of the theme words for December 22, 2025, without spelling them out:
| Theme word | Starts with | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 4 letters |
| 2 | C | 6 letters |
| 3 | E | 8 letters |
| 4 | G | 6 letters |
| 5 | L | 6 letters |
| 6 | S | 5 letters |
| 7 | W | 4 letters |
Clue words to earn in-game hints
Here's a Strands-specific trick most players miss. You don't have to find theme words to get help — the game hands you a hint for every three non-theme words of four or more letters you spot on the board.
- ACES
- BEET
- CANE
- DEBT
- EARL
- FACE
- FACT
- FAIL
- FAIR
- FANG
- FARE
- FAST
Strands answers for December 22, 2025
Spoiler warning: everything below reveals the December 22, 2025 solution, including the spangram. Only read on if you're ready.
The theme words for Strands #659 (December 22, 2025) are listed in the Strands Answers section above, traced on the board so you can see exactly where each word sits. Tap a word to follow its path, or browse the full list when you're ready — the spangram is REGIFTING.
Theme words & why they fit
| Word | Why it fits |
|---|---|
| BOOK | A book can be passed along as a thoughtful gift. |
| CANDLE | A candle is a familiar present that can be given to someone else. |
| EARRINGS | Earrings are giftable accessories easily passed along. |
| GADGET | A gadget can make a practical or fun present for another recipient. |
| LOTION | Lotion is a common small gift suitable for passing along. |
| SCARF | A scarf makes a versatile gift that may suit someone else better. |
| WINE | Wine is a classic host or holiday gift that can be given onward. |
Difficulty: Medium (Easy to Hard). The theme is straightforward, though several broad gift categories can make the word list less distinctive.
Yesterday’s Strands answers
Reading a little late, or comparing notes across time zones? Yesterday’s theme was “Big bad wolf” (Strands #658), the spangram was THREELITTLEPIGS, and the theme words were BLOW, BRICKS, DOWN, HUFF, PUFF, STICKS, STRAW. For earlier puzzles, use the date picker above to jump to any past day's Strands hint & answers.
What is Strands and how do you play?
Strands is the New York Times' word-search puzzle, a twist on Spelling Bee, Connections, and the classic crossword. Each day you get a 6×8 board of 48 letters and a theme. Your job is to find every theme word — they're highlighted in blue as you trace them and never overlap — until all 48 letters are used.
- The spangram is a special theme word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the board and captures the theme. It's highlighted in yellow when found, and it can be two words joined together.
- Earning hints: stuck? Find any non-theme word of four or more letters. For every three you find, Strands reveals the letters of one theme word — which is exactly what the clue-words tip above is for.
- No guessing penalty: there's no limit on wrong tries, so Strands rewards patient scanning over speed. Work out the theme first, hunt the spangram, and the rest usually follows.
Prefer to keep solving on your own steam? Use the hints above one at a time and only reveal the answers if you're truly stuck. Looking for today's puzzle? See Strands Hint Today.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Strands hint for Strands #659?
The theme clue for Strands #659 is at the top of this page, followed by a spangram hint and first-letter clues for each theme word. Each is spoiler-free, so you only see as much help as you want.
What is the Strands spangram for Strands #659?
The spangram hint is above; the spangram itself — REGIFTING — is revealed behind a spoiler tap so it won't spoil the puzzle by accident.
How do you earn hints in Strands?
Find any non-theme word of four or more letters on the board. For every three you find, the game highlights the letters of one theme word. Scan the grid for short valid words when you need a nudge without looking up the answer.
What time does Strands update?
NYT releases a new Strands puzzle at midnight in your timezone. This page rolls to the next day's hints and answers for everyone at midnight Eastern.
Where can I find past Strands answers?
Yesterday’s solution is above, and you can open any earlier day with the date picker — each date has its own Strands hint & answers page.
Strands is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.