NYT Strands is the New York Times’ daily word-search-style puzzle that blends classic word finding with a themed twist. For 15 December 2025, the puzzle revolved around the theme “Palette episodes,” featuring a collection of color-themed words drawn from TV shows and a spangram that neatly tied the entire grid together.

15 December 2025 NYT Strands Theme: “Palette episodes”

The “Palette episodes” theme tapped into colorful TV series titles, pairing hues with iconic programs for a vibrant pop culture spin. The puzzle offered a mix of straightforward colors and clever show references, demanding sharp recognition of familiar names amid the grid.

15 December 2025 NYT Strands: Hints

  • Focus on colors that headline popular television series
  • Consider shows where a shade defines the title or group
  • Hunt for both basic hues and specific program nods
  • The grid mixes direct colors with multi-word entertainment terms
  • Spangram links visuals and broadcasting in a classic phrase​

15 December 2025 NYT Strands: Answers

  • Green (as in the eco-focused series)
  • Blue (from the animated adventures)
  • White (the legal drama standout)
  • Golden (the classic sitcom family)
  • Girls (the bold urban ensemble)
  • Lotus (the elegant position showcase)
  • Bloods (the intense medical crew)
  • Acres (the vast rural expanse)

Spangram

Color TV unites the palette with episodic storytelling, capturing the essence of shows defined by their hues in a nod to broadcast innovation.​

How Strands works

Strands is a daily word search puzzle with a twist:

  • You’re given a theme.
  • The grid is packed with hidden words tied to that theme.
  • Words can run in any direction, including diagonals.
  • Once you find all the theme words, you’re done!

Each puzzle usually has around 6 theme words.​

Tips to become a NYT Strands pro

  • Start with obvious words. Look for clear connections to the theme first.
  • Scan diagonals early. Strands loves to hide words at an angle.
  • Build around found words. Once one word is cleared, the leftover letters often point to the next.
  • Use hints wisely. Earn them steadily by spotting extra words, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
  • Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal — broaden your thinking.​

Final Thoughts

The 15 December 2025 Strands puzzle struck a clever balance of TV nostalgia and color play, revealing itself steadily for most solvers. The pop culture tie-in made it engaging and replayable. How many did you spot before the spangram?