If you’re hooked on the daily NYT Strands puzzle, you’re not alone. It’s a fresh word game from the New York Times that combines elements of a word search with clever, theme-based twists.
1 February 2026 NYT Strands Theme: “It’s a gift”
Today’s theme is “It’s a gift” — a clever play on words that guides solvers toward different forms of giving and generosity. The puzzle features words related to presenting, donating, and recognizing achievement through gifts and rewards. This is a satisfying theme that clicks neatly once you identify the spangram.
1 February 2026 NYT Strands Hints
-
Think about different ways people give to one another.
-
Some answers involve financial contributions; others relate to recognition.
-
Look for both professional rewards and charitable acts.
-
The spangram perfectly sums up the spirit behind all these gift-related words.
-
A mix of both short and longer words appears in the puzzle.
1 February 2026 NYT Strands: Answers
-
Bonus (an extra payment or reward given for performance)
-
Grant (a sum of money given for a specific purpose)
-
Present (a gift given to someone special)
-
Donation (a voluntary contribution, typically to a charity)
-
Offering (something presented as a gesture of goodwill)
-
Award (a prize or recognition given for achievement)
Spangram
GENEROSITY
This spangram perfectly encapsulates today’s puzzle theme, connecting all the gift-related words through the overarching concept of generosity. It runs across the grid and serves as the key that unlocks the puzzle’s true meaning once discovered.
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.
How to get and use hints
Hints are built right into Strands, and they’re super useful if you’re stuck:
- To earn a hint, find any non-theme word of at least four letters in the grid.
- Each valid extra word gives you one hint.
- When you use a hint, one of the theme words will be revealed automatically, helping you move forward.
Pro tip: Don’t just burn hints — use them strategically when the grid feels impossible. Sometimes a single revealed word unlocks the entire board.
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 words
The 1 February 2026 NYT Strands puzzle felt fairly accessible and rewarding, with a relatable theme centered on the universal concept of giving. The spangram provided a satisfying payoff once discovered. How many answers did you spot before needing a hint?
Come back tomorrow for a fresh grid and theme — and tell us in the comments which word stumped you the most today!
