Stuck on Today’s NYT Strands? Unwrap All the Trimmings With Our Hints and Answers (December 20, 2025)
NYT Strands turns festive today—stuck on the seasonal theme? Tap our December 20 hints to crack the grid fast and keep your streak alive.
NYT Strands decided to go full holiday mode today. If you got stuck staring at a grid of letters wondering why everything felt suspiciously pine-scented, I’ve got you covered.
Today’s setup
Strands #657 (December 20, 2025) came with a very on-the-nose vibe: the theme clue was 'festive decor.' Word lengths ranged from 4 to 13 letters, and the spangram hint basically waved you toward the living room: 'think about decorating a tree.' One more nudge from the game: look for decorations you’d see in winter.
Spoilers below. Scroll carefully if you want to solve it solo.
Answers
- Spangram: CHRISTMAS TREE
- TINSEL: those shiny strands that make the branches sparkle
- RIBBON: long, flowy wraps that dress the tree up
- LIGHTS: the twinkly bulbs that give off the warm glow
- ANGEL: a classic topper, usually meant to symbolize peace
- STAR: another traditional topper, the whole guiding-light thing
- ORNAMENT: the keepsakes and baubles that actually fill out the tree
The theme spelled it out: 'All the trimmings' — basically Christmas tree decor from top to bottom. If you connected the hints early, this one probably clicked fast. If not, hey, the grid was still pretty festive while you hunted for 'TINSEL.'