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Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love Christmas caroling.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 25, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 25, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Caroler's count

The words are related to the holidays.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe popular holiday songs.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Christmas Days

NYT Strands word list for December 25

• Drummers

• Christmas Days

• Maids

• Ladies

• Lords

• Swan

• Pipers

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love geometry.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 25, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 25, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A geometrical figure.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

PRISM

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 25, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Wordle.

SAVE 47%: As of Dec. 24, the Roku Streaming Stick HD (2025 Model) is on sale for $15.99, down from $29.99, at Amazon. That’s a 47% discount or a $14 price cut.

Roku Streaming Stick HD (2025) $15.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $14.00   Get Deal at Amazon

If you've been looking for a way to simplify your TV setup without adding more cord clutter, a streaming stick is a great way to do it for less than the price of a movie ticket. It’s one of those easy upgrades that makes a huge difference in a guest room or kitchen where you don't want a bulky cable box taking up space.

SEE ALSO: The 4 best streaming devices of 2025 make any TV smarter

As of Dec. 24, the Roku Streaming Stick HD (2025 Model) is on sale for $15.99, down from $29.99, at Amazon. That’s a 47% discount or a $14 price cut. It's also just 99 cents more than its all-time low price, making it a perfect time to snag one if you've been on the fence.

This newest 2025 model is designed to be out of sight; it plugs directly into the back of your TV and can even be powered by your TV's USB port, so you don't have extra wires hanging down to a wall outlet. It comes with a Roku Voice Remote that lets you search for shows and control your TV’s power and volume, and it works with Alexa, Apple AirPlay, and HomeKit, making it easy to stream content directly from your iPhone or control your TV with your voice.

SAVE $16: As of Dec. 24, get the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for $18.99, down from its usual price of $34.99. That's a discount of 46%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick HD $18.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.00   Get Deal

Looking for a quick and easy way to add streaming capabilities to your TV? All you need is an Amazon Fire TV Stick. They're already affordable enough on their own without a sale, but there's a great deal on one right now that you can snap up that takes one to nearly 50% off just in time to kick off the new year.

As of Dec. 24, get the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD for $18.99, down from its usual price of $34.99. That's $16 off and a discount of 46%.

SEE ALSO: Shop the best streaming deals: Prime Video and Roku add-ons for Paramount+, Apple TV+, and more

The Fire TV Stick is incredibly simple to set up. All you need to do is plug it into any HDMI port on your TV, and it's ready to go. It offers full HD streaming options with access to over 400,000 free movies and TV episodes from apps like Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV, and other streaming services. All you have to do is find something you want to watch.

Navigate with the included Alexa-enabled voice remote, so you can just ask Alexa to cue up what you want to watch or choose it yourself. You can access apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, and more straight from the streaming stick, and even use music subscription services as well. What's more, the streaming stick can connect to your smart home hub with Alexa, so you can control lights and other appliances straight from the stick.

If you're ready to add a little smart entertainment to your TV and your home in general, this is a great streaming device to do it with. And it's winter break, so haven't you earned some streaming time to yourself?

TL;DR: Give kids a gentler screen time solution with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now just $39.97 (reg. $250) with code PLAY20 through Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $39.97
$250 Save $210.03   Get Deal

Screen time is inevitable these days, but for children, it’s important to introduce it wisely. If you’re looking for a gentle option, Pok Pok is the way to go. This low-stimulation app is non-addictive and made for children ages 2 to 8, providing an educational and entertaining screen time option on tablets or smartphones.

Right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to Pok Pok for just $39.97 (reg. $250) with code PLAY20 through Jan. 11.

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Pok Pok is an award-winning app that gives kids a healthy dose of screen time. Made with Montessori-based learning in mind, a child-centered educational approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, and natural development, it offers a low-stimulation approach that kids will be able to navigate on their own.

With hand-drawn animations and low-stimulation sound effects that are made in-house, Pok Pok was made with children ages 2 to 8 in mind. It offers a calm app experience while teaching important topics like STEM, numbers, and language. There’s no winning or losing, and no rules, levels, or objectives.

The open-ended play model keeps kids engaged, and there are no ads to worry about. Pok Pok is COPPA-certified, so your kids won’t be tricked into making any purchases.

This lifetime subscription unlocks access to unlimited games. You’ll also receive regular updates, often with new seasonal and cultural content. And your purchase includes an exclusive gift mailed to your home.

Give the kids in your life a better screen time option with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now $39.97 (reg. $250) with code PLAY20 through Jan. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Steam and Valve are having a massive outage that is preventing anyone from accessing the digital store and playing games. This hits right when many people are hoping to squeeze in some holiday gaming on Christmas Eve.

Raspberry Pis are one of the most popular computers among tinkerers, and I use mine constantly for one thing or another. Despite their enduring popularity, they do have some downsides.

With NVIDIA’s RTX 50-series graphics cards, PhysX support was dropped. Recently, NVIDIA decided to bring PhysX support for select games back—but does it even matter?

SAVE $90: The DJI Mic Mini is on sale at Amazon for $79, down from the list price of $169. That's a 53% discount and a record-low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini (two transmitters + one receiver) $79 at Amazon
$169 Save $90   Get Deal

If you were online at all this year, you saw content creators either wearing or holding the DJI Mic Mini. Videos and streams on TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram all had DJI mics all over the place. For years now, DJI has been a go-to brand for content creators, and the DJI Mics are a must-have for creators. If you could use an upgrade, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Dec. 24, the DJI Mic Mini is on sale at Amazon for $79, marked down from the list price of $169. That's a 53% discount that takes $90 off the normal price. It's also a record-low price at Amazon.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard tested out the viral DJI Mic Mini and mentioned it's one of the best upgrades for content creators. "If you need any degree of portability with your mic setup, the DJI Mic Mini offers a lot of versatility, and for a great value," Allard wrote. "That makes it a solid option for making vlogs and TikToks, and for anyone who feels less than confident with their tech skills — once I plugged the receiver into my phone, the mics connected easily and started working with the camera app automatically."

SEE ALSO: The Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is on sale at Best Buy, and you can get it before Christmas

In addition to being easy to use, the DJI Mic Mini sounds great. In Allard's testing, it did great in noisy environments. But keep in mind it only has a USB-C phone adapter, so those who rely on the iPhone's Lightning port won't be able to use the included adapter for the receiver.

Before this sale price expires, upgrade your content creator journey with the DJI Mic Mini. Its features are worth the normal price of $169, but the sale price of $79 is something spectacular.

SAVE 57%: As of Dec. 24, you can get the Blink Video Doorbell system (which includes the Sync Module) for just $29.99, down from $69.99, at Amazon. That's a 57% discount or a $40 price cut.

Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (2nd Gen, White) + Sync Module Core $29.99 at Amazon
$69.99 Save $40   Get Deal at Amazon

If you’ve been wanting to see who's at your door or just want to keep an eye on those after-Christmas package deliveries, now's the time to invest in a doorbell camera.

SEE ALSO: Blink is a Mahable Readers' Choice Award winner: What our readers said about the security camera brand

As of Dec. 24, you can get the Blink Video Doorbell system (which includes the Sync Module) for just $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 57% discount off its $69.99 list price and matches the record-low it first hit back in October.

You can choose to set it up wire-free using the included AA lithium batteries, which are rated to last up to two years, or hardwire it to your existing doorbell chime. It features head-to-toe HD video so you can actually see packages on the ground, infrared night vision, and two-way audio so you can talk to visitors through the app. It also works with Alexa, so you can get alerts on your Echo devices or even see a live view on an Echo Show whenever you'd like, just by asking.

SAVE $159: As of Dec. 24, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are on sale for just $269.99 at Amazon in the limited-edition deep plum shade. That's 37% in savings and their best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones $269.99 at Amazon
$429 Save $159.01   Get Deal

Bose dropped the second iteration of its legendary noise-cancelling headphones, the QuietComfort Ultras, in October, and they came with an even steeper price tag. But here's the thing: They're really not that much better than their predecessors. If you've had your eye on Bose headphones, but don't want to drop $449 on the latest pair, we recommend snagging the OG QuietComfort Ultras while they're on sale for their best price ever.

As of Dec. 24, you can pick up the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones in the limited-edition deep plum shade for only $269.99 at Amazon. That's 37% or $159 off their list price and even cheaper than on Black Friday.

The OG Ultras are the most comfortable headphones on the market for most people. Two of Mashable's shopping reporters tested them and noted that they can easily be worn all day without earaches, even while wearing glasses and jewelry. The battery life even accompanies that all-day comfort; with noise cancellation turned on, the QuietComfort Ultras headphones will last from 18 to 24 hours per charge.

These headphones also deliver pretty good noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, foldable earcups, and plenty of color options. Of course, if you want the best deal, you'll have to settle for the deep plum.

The newer version basically follows the same design, but adds wired lossless playback, reliable detection, and an even better battery life. They're currently on sale for $399, so we'll leave it up to you if you think those features are worth an extra $129.

Spoiler warning: This story discusses major Jujutsu Kaisen manga events, including character deaths that have not yet appeared in the anime ahead of its third season premiere on Jan. 8, 2026.

Every year on Christmas Eve, I brace myself before opening my apps.

Not because of an influx of schmaltzy holiday content, but because I’m a Jujutsu Kaisen fan, and Dec. 24 is a day of collective mourning. My feed knows it. My algorithm knows it. And judging by the endless stream of edits, fan art, and softly devastating posts, so does everyone else.

SEE ALSO: New 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 trailer reveals January 2026 release

For Jujutsu Kaisen fans, Christmas Eve is a holy day of remembrance.

If you’re even loosely connected to the fandom, you’ve probably noticed it by now: the sudden return of best friends–turned–diametrically opposed soulmates, Geto Suguru and Satoru Gojo, to the timeline. Side-by-side edits. Manga screenshots. Subtle references that say everything without saying too much.

The reason is simple and painful. In the Jujutsu Kaisen timeline, the real Geto Suguru dies on Dec. 24. One year later, on that same date, Satoru Gojo meets his fate in the manga. And thus, the unofficial SatoSugu Day was born.

Geto's death is already well-known to anime viewers; it has been animated, discussed, dissected, and mourned openly for years. Gojo's death, however, remains one of the manga’s most devastating and closely guarded spoilers, especially with the anime's fast-approaching third season premiere in January. That's why scrolling through my feed feels like walking into a quiet wake.

Here are just a handful of the posts I've favorited today:

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(And a special shout-out to this heartbreaking edit, which I cannot embed due to copyright restrictions, but I will link to because it's that good.)

Geto and Gojo's cursed relationship sits at the emotional core of Jujutsu Kaisen. They’re not just powerful jujutsu sorcerers or fan favorites; they’re a tragedy in parallel motion. Former best friends. Ideological opposites. Two people shaped by the same world who responded to it in completely different ways. Their bond and its unraveling are what give the story its weight long before Yuji Itadori enters the frame.

So when Christmas Eve rolls around, fans don't just mourn two characters; they mourn what could have been. The friendship that fractured. The future that never arrived. The way fate, in Jujutsu Kaisen, feels both cruel and intentional.

What fascinates me most is how specifically the fandom marks this day. It exists entirely online, sustained by fans who recall the date and return to it every year, much like muscle memory.

And maybe that’s why it hits so hard. Dec. 24 is supposed to be comforting. Instead, for fans like me, it’s a reminder of how deeply a story can burrow into your emotional life. How fictional characters can leave real marks. How shared grief, even over something imagined, can feel real when thousands of people are feeling it at once.

With the anime's anticipated Culling Game arc set to arrive in January, this Christmas Eve feels especially charged. There's an awareness that soon, the mourning won’t be confined to manga readers anymore.

If you told me 20 years ago that CDs would be so obsolete that they're now just coming back in style, I'd have laughed. But CDs aren't the only type of storage media that's completely outdated.

Internet sleuths easily bypassed the Justice Department’s redactions in the recently released cache of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to the Guardian and the New York Times.

While some used Photoshop to get around the redactions, others simply copied and pasted the redacted text into a word processing document to reveal the hidden sections, the reports found. The easily uncovered redactions seemed to indicate the files were "hastily censored," according to the Times.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' Weekend Update goes after redacted Epstein files

CNN reported on Tuesday that the DOJ was scrambling to find volunteers to help redact the latest files on Epstein. Per the report, a lawyer in the Southern District of Florida's U.S. Attorney’s Office emailed the entire district on Tuesday, requesting help with an emergency request from the Deputy Attorney General’s office. "We need [Assistant United States Attorneys] to do remote document review and redactions related to the Epstein files," the email stated, according to CNN. The request noted that SDF needed assistance over the next few days, indicating more files on Epstein may be released during the Christmas holiday.

Some of the redacted text uncovered by the internet sleuths revealed details of civil lawsuits involving Epstein, including how he and his associates sexually abused children, according to the Guardian. Payments to young models and actresses were also described in the redactions, the Guardian found.

The Epstein files were released as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compels the DOJ to release all unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's investigations and associates. The agency has a microsite containing the files they have released, though it hasn't been updated since Dec. 19.

Shoppers looking for an affordable new car in 2025 don’t have many options left, which makes the country’s cheapest new model stand out even more. While most automakers have abandoned the entry-level segment, this budget-friendly compact remains one of the last true bargains on the market, and it’s not just inexpensive. It offers durability and day-to-day dependability that rival, and in some cases surpass, more established nameplates.

Have you ever received a photo from a friend on a messaging app and thought, “Man, Patrick’s phone sucks”? It turns out it might not be their phone at all—many messaging apps lower image quality on purpose. Let me explain why, and if you stick around, I’ll show you how to fix it.

There's a certain kind of dread when seeing a massive block of text fill the formula bar in Microsoft Excel. When everything is crammed onto one line, your eyes skip over the mistakes that end up breaking your data. Luckily, one simple keyboard shortcut fixes the chaos instantly.

While there is certainly no shortage of Christmas films to choose from, holiday-themed TV shows are harder to come by. But thankfully, Netflix has the perfect festive series that also just so happens to be a quick binge. In fact, you can easily watch it in one day. So, instead of trying to pick which Christmas movie to watch, you should check out Dash & Lily on Netflix.

Lexus has built its reputation on luxury, reliability, and durability—traits that set it apart from most other brands. But even within Lexus, some models rise above the rest.

Who doesn't love Christmas football? The NFL's still-rare holiday tradition returns for another consecutive year — and this time, it lands perfectly on a Thursday. That means three full games instead of the usual two, giving fans an all-day slate of football alongside the festivities.

This season marks the second year of the NFL's three-year agreement with Netflix to stream Christmas Day games, guaranteeing at least one holiday matchup each year during the deal. And because Christmas falls on a day the league already reserves for games, the schedule gets an extra boost: a third matchup airing on Amazon Prime as part of the regular Thursday Night Football lineup.

SEE ALSO: The best Christmas movies streaming now on Netflix

This year's Christmas slate features three divisional showdowns, with a mix of teams already out of playoff contention, one squad battling for a division crown, and another clinging to faint postseason hopes. Here’s the full breakdown — and how to watch every game:

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders

Kicking off the festivities are two down-on-their-luck NFC East teams with little left to play for this season. When I wrote the Thanksgiving how-to-stream guide, the Cowboys were actually trending up, fresh off a win over the Chiefs that capped a three-game streak. At 6-5-1, Dallas still had faint playoff hopes and needed a road win in Detroit to keep them alive. That didn’t happen. Instead, the wheels came off, with two more losses soon after sealing their fate.

Now sitting at 6-8-1 and officially eliminated, it’s hard to call Dallas’ season anything but a wash.

For Washington, the year has been even rougher. The Commanders (4-11) are stuck at the bottom of the NFC East just months after their shocking run to the NFC Championship Game. Injuries have defined their collapse, none more damaging than the repeated setbacks to star sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels. What once looked like a promising follow-up campaign has instead unraveled into a season fans will want to forget.

You can watch this on Netflix at 12 p.m. CST / 1 p.m. EST

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Here’s an NFC North matchup with playoff implications — if literally everything breaks right. The Detroit Lions, once the league’s lovable underdogs, turned Super Bowl contenders, are getting a hard reality check this season.

SEE ALSO: How to watch NFL games without cable: The best football streaming deals for the 2025–2026 season

Playing a rare holiday game outside their traditional Thanksgiving slot, the Lions essentially must win to keep even the faintest playoff hopes alive. After finishing last season at 15–2, Detroit now sits at 8–7, with injuries and a coaching exodus taking much of the bite out of what was once a blistering offense. Since starting 4–1, the Lions have alternated wins and losses almost weekly, before finally dropping their first back-to-back games since 2022 with defeats against the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even a Christmas Day win may not be enough. If the Green Bay Packers take care of business on Saturday, Detroit’s season effectively ends. To survive, the Lions would need to beat a Vikings team starting its third-string quarterback, then upset the 11–4 Chicago Bears — coached by Detroit’s former offensive coordinator — while also hoping the Packers stumble again against that same Minnesota squad.

In other words, Detroit is running low on both margin and miracles.

As for the Vikings, there’s far less drama. Minnesota has already been eliminated from playoff contention, and its plan to build around sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick, never took off. A revolving door of injuries derailed the season early, leaving this matchup more about pride than postseason stakes.

You can watch this on Netflix at 3:30 p.m. CST / 4:30 p.m. EST

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

A Christmas Day game in name only, this AFC West matchup could help decide the division crown between the Denver Broncos and — surprisingly — the Los Angeles Chargers. Yes, for the first time since 2012, the Kansas City Chiefs are headed for a losing season, and for the first time since 2014, they’ll miss the playoffs altogether.

Like the Cowboys, the Chiefs — and the face of the league, Patrick Mahomes — endured a strangely flat year. A sputtering offense and an aging defense exposed the possibility that this chapter of the Kansas City dynasty may finally be closing. That suspicion became reality in a divisional loss to the Chargers when Mahomes tore his ACL. The injury ended his season and, given its late occurrence, could also threaten his availability early next year.

Meanwhile, things couldn’t look better in Denver. Following a promising 2024 campaign that culminated in a surprise playoff appearance, the Broncos have made a significant leap forward. Sitting at 12–3, Denver currently leads the AFC West over the 11–4 Chargers and controls its own destiny. A Christmas Day win over Kansas City, combined with a Chargers loss on Saturday, would clinch the Broncos’ first division title since 2015 — the final season of the Peyton Manning era.

There's even an outside path for Denver to lock up the AFC's top seed with a little help elsewhere, but that’s a scenario best left to the calculators.

You can watch this on Amazon Prime at 7:15 p.m. CST / 8:15 p.m. EST.