New York Times Connections Answers for #563

It's Christmas Day, and the New York Times Connections puzzle is back with a festive challenge! If you've tackled previous holiday puzzles, you know the NYT can be surprisingly subtle in its holiday themes. Need help with puzzle #563 (December 25, 2024)? This guide provides hints, category clues, and solutions without revealing the core gameplay rules.

The puzzle's word list includes: Queen, Star, Cupid, Strong, Rudolph, Sagittarius, Nanny, Comet, Vixen, Moon, Robin Hood, Shannon, Hawkeye, Fey, Jenny, and Planet.

Understanding "Jenny"

"Jenny" refers to several things: a spinning machine, a female given name, a female animal (in some species), and a nautical term for a jib sail.

Hints and Solutions

The following sections offer progressively more detailed clues and answers. Use them cautiously to avoid spoiling the entire puzzle!

General Hints

1. Forget reindeer names—that's not the theme.
2. Female first names aren't the connecting factor either.
3. "Shannon" and "Strong" belong together.

Yellow Category (Easy) Hints

Think celestial bodies. Consider black holes and satellites as additional examples.

Yellow Category Solution

Celestial Objects: Comet, Moon, Planet, Star

Green Category (Medium) Hints

Think about those who wield bows and arrows. Consider Katniss, Artemis, and Legolas as examples.

Green Category Solution

Archers: Cupid, Hawkeye, Robin Hood, Sagittarius

Blue Category (Hard) Hints

Consider female animals. Think "doe," "hen," and "molly" as additional clues.

Blue Category Solution

Female Animals: Jenny, Nanny, Queen, Vixen

Purple Category (Tricky) Hints

Consider cast members from a famous comedy show.

Purple Category Solution

SNL Cast Members: Fey, Rudolph, Shannon, Strong

Complete Solutions

Here are all the categories and their corresponding words:

• Yellow - Celestial Objects: Comet, Moon, Planet, Star
• Green - Archers: Cupid, Hawkeye, Robin Hood, Sagittarius
• Blue - Female Animals: Jenny, Nanny, Queen, Vixen
• Purple - SNL Cast Members: Fey, Rudolph, Shannon, Strong

Ready to play? Find the New York Times Games Connections on their website or app. Happy puzzling!