NYT Strands is the New York Times’ daily word-search style puzzle that asks you to uncover hidden words connected by a central idea. On 20 December, the theme “All the trimmings” set a festive tone. The grid featured familiar, cozy vocabulary linked by a single spangram that neatly tied all the answers together, making this a satisfying seasonal solve.

20 December NYT Strands theme: “All the trimmings”

Today’s theme leaned heavily into holiday imagery, especially decorations you’d expect to see this time of year. The puzzle felt approachable, with clear, recognizable words and a spangram that was long but intuitive. If you were already thinking about festive décor, this one likely clicked quickly.

20 December NYT Strands: hints

  • Think about common decorative items you see during the holidays.
  • Most words are physical objects rather than abstract ideas.
  • Look for words that might appear together in one familiar setting.
  • The grid hides several short, straightforward words before the longer ones.
  • Spangram ties the list together as the central holiday symbol.

20 December NYT Strands: answers

  • Star (a classic topper)
  • Angel (another traditional topper)
  • Lights (wrapped around and glowing)
  • Ribbon (used for wrapping and décor)
  • Tinsel (shiny and festive)
  • Ornament (hung and displayed)
Spangram

Christmas Tree

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 6–8 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, then save them for when you’re truly stuck.
  • Think about synonyms. The theme clue isn’t always literal, so widen your thinking.

Final thoughts

The 20 December Strands puzzle felt comfortably easy to moderate, with a cheerful theme and familiar words. The spangram was especially satisfying to uncover. How many answers did you spot before everything fell into place?