Solve today's New York Times Games Strands puzzle, a word-search challenge with a twist! You'll need to decipher the theme from a single clue to find the hidden words. This puzzle is deceptively tricky, even for experienced players. Let's crack it together!
Today's puzzle (#295, December 23, 2024) presents five words to uncover: four themed words and a pangram. The clue is: Pass the Eggnog.

Need a hand? Here are some hints without revealing specific words:
Hint 1: Think festive food flavors.

Hint 2: Consider holiday latte additions.

Hint 3: What seasonings enhance holiday treats?

Still stumped? Here are two word spoilers with their locations:
Word 1: Peppermint

Word 2: Cranberry

Ready for the complete solution? Here's the full answer:
The theme is Holiday Flavors. The words are Cranberry, Gingerbread, Peppermint, and Cocoa.

Explanation: "Pass the Eggnog" perfectly encapsulates the theme. Eggnog itself is a classic holiday beverage, and all the themed words represent popular holiday flavors found in various festive treats.

Ready to play? Head over to the New York Times Games Strands website – it's accessible on most devices with a web browser!