Loading puzzle...

NYT Strands Answer & Hints — “All the trimmings”, December 20, 2025

Stuck on the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle? Here are progressive hints and the full answer for the “All the trimmings” puzzle (Strands #350 of 509 in our archive). Every reveal is hidden by default — click to open the ones you need.

Spoiler warning. The answers below are for the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle. Scroll past this section if you want to solve it yourself first.
Hint 1: The themeReveal

The theme for the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle is “All the trimmings”. Every theme word and the spangram connects back to this phrase, so think about what related words might fit a 6×8 grid of 48 letters before you start scanning.

Hint 2: Spangram length and first letterReveal

The spangram for the “All the trimmings” puzzle is 13 letters long and starts with the letter C. It touches two opposite edges of the grid, as every NYT Strands spangram does.

Hint 3: How many theme wordsReveal

Besides the spangram, the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle has 6 theme words. Together with the spangram, they use every letter on the 6×8 grid exactly once.

Answer: Full spangramReveal

The spangram for the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands “All the trimmings” puzzle is CHRISTMASTREE. It spans two opposite edges of the 6×8 grid and captures the theme directly.

Answer: All theme wordsReveal

Here are the 6 theme words for the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands “All the trimmings” puzzle:

  • ANGEL
  • LIGHTS
  • ORNAMENT
  • RIBBON
  • STAR
  • TINSEL

Plus the spangram CHRISTMASTREE, that’s every word on the grid — all 48 letters accounted for.

Answers for the December 20, 2025 NYT Strands puzzle. Strands Unlimited is an independent fan archive — today's NYT Strands is free on nytimes.com/games/strands.

About the "All the trimmings" NYT Strands puzzle

"All the trimmings" is the kind of Strands theme that makes you smile once you figure it out. The phrase works on two levels, and the spangram clarifies which one the puzzle is actually about. This arts & culture puzzle is built around wordplay, so approach the grid with an open mind — the theme words might not be what you first expect from reading the title alone.

This puzzle has 6 theme words hidden in the grid — a balanced count that gives you enough to work with without overwhelming the board. The 13-letter spangram is notably long, consuming a good chunk of the grid's 48 letters. Its size makes it easier to find if you focus on the grid's edges. Originally published on a Saturday, Puzzle #350 is a more recent addition to the 509+ puzzle archive.

#350
Puzzle Number
6
Theme Words
13
Spangram Letters
Challenging
Difficulty

How to approach "All the trimmings"

  • This theme contains wordplay — don't take it at face value. Think about alternative meanings and which interpretation the hidden words might support.
  • The long 13-letter spangram is your best starting point. Scan the edges of the grid — the spangram must start on one side and end on the opposite side.
  • If you get stuck, try finding non-theme words (any valid 4+ letter English word) to earn hints. Each hint reveals one letter of an unsolved theme word.
PreviousAll NYT Strands answersNext

More puzzles from December 2025

31 Wed
One good turn deserves another
30 Tue
2025 Top Twenty
29 Mon
Are you putting me on?
28 Sun
Load up on tissues
27 Sat
If you ask me ...
26 Fri
Please hold
View all December puzzles

More NYT Strands puzzles

Jan 30
We're not lost ...
Nov 28
If all else fails ...
Sep 15
For a fortune
Jun 14
It's a banner day
Jun 8
On Broadway
Mar 4
It's our game-iversary!
Feb 14
Will you be my valentine?
May 30
We'll be there

Sister Sites · More logic puzzles

Queens
Region logic, daily + 1,500 puzzles
Patches
Region-stitching puzzle
Tango
No 3-in-a-row pattern
Zip
Path-drawing puzzle
Mini Sudoku
Compact sudoku
Strands Unlimited is an independent fan archive of past Strands puzzles. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times Company. NYT Strands is a trademark of The New York Times Company. Today's daily puzzle is free at nytimes.com/games/strands.