Every night at the stroke of midnight, a new ritual unfolds for word game enthusiasts across the globe. The New York Times’ Connections puzzle, a relative newcomer in the publication’s growing stable of daily games, has quickly become a staple for those seeking a cerebral challenge, a moment of camaraderie, or even a dash of competitive spirit. As 2025 gave way to 2026, the Connections puzzle marked the occasion with a festive twist, offering a themed set that resonated with the season’s jubilant mood and the traditions that accompany New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For December 31, 2025, the NYT Connections puzzle featured a grid of 16 words, each waiting to be grouped into one of four cleverly designed categories. According to The New York Times, the categories for this particular puzzle were: Happy New Year!, Places where things disappear, Associated with Philadelphia, and Starting with bodies of water. The puzzle’s solutions were as follows: under the “Happy New Year!” banner, the words BALL DROP, CHAMPAGNE FLUTE, FIREWORKS, and NOISEMAKER were grouped together, evoking images of revelers counting down to midnight with sparkling drinks in hand and the sky ablaze with celebratory bursts.
But the Connections puzzle is more than just a festive diversion. Its design, as explained by The New York Times, comes courtesy of associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu, whose knack for crafting “common threads between words” has helped launch Connections into the public consciousness. The game is deceptively simple: players are presented with 16 seemingly unrelated words and must sort them into four groups of four, each linked by a shared theme. The challenge, of course, lies in the subtleties—words that seem like they might fit together often don’t, and only one correct answer exists for each grouping.
Players can access Connections on both web browsers and mobile devices, making it an easily accessible daily habit. Like the immensely popular Wordle, Connections resets at midnight, providing a fresh puzzle for players in every time zone. According to The New York Times, the puzzle is released daily at midnight in each time zone, ensuring that no matter where you are, the challenge awaits at the dawn of a new day.
The December 31 puzzle’s other categories were equally inventive. “Places where things disappear” grouped BERMUDA TRIANGLE, BLACK HOLE, COUCH CUSHIONS, and DRYER—a playful nod to the everyday mysteries of missing socks and the more cosmic enigmas of the universe. The “Associated with Philadelphia” set included BROTHERLY LOVE, CHEESESTEAK, LIBERTY BELL, and ROCKY, a blend of cultural, culinary, and cinematic touchstones that any Philadelphian would recognize with pride. Finally, the “Starting with bodies of water” category linked together BAY LEAF, CHANNEL SURF, SEA BASS, and SOUND BARRIER, each phrase beginning with a word that is also a type of waterway or body of water, a subtle linguistic trick that delights those with a keen eye for wordplay.
Of course, not every day’s puzzle is themed so festively. On January 2, 2026, the Connections puzzle returned with a new set of challenges, and according to The New York Times, this puzzle was rated 2.3 out of 5 in difficulty by the publication’s testers. Each Connections puzzle is rated for its level of challenge, with testers paid to solve each one in advance. As the article notes, “Today’s difficulty is 2.3 out of 5. Your own rating may be different.” This transparency about difficulty is a hallmark of the puzzle’s community-driven approach, as players are encouraged to share their solve grids and compare scores in the online forum, fostering a sense of shared experience (and, occasionally, some friendly competition).
The January 2 hints, shared by The New York Times, offered a glimpse into the puzzle’s structure without giving away the entire game. Each category has a different difficulty level, with yellow being the simplest and purple the most challenging. For this puzzle, the hints were: Yellow (LOG), Green (GAG), Blue (METRIC), and Purple (EEK). These single-word clues serve as a gentle nudge for those who may be struggling, helping to keep frustration at bay without spoiling the satisfaction of discovery.
What sets Connections apart from other word games is its balance of accessibility and depth. The rules are straightforward: group four words that share a common thread. But the execution can be devilishly tricky, with some categories relying on puns, double meanings, or cultural references that reward both general knowledge and lateral thinking. Players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game ends, and the ability to shuffle the board adds an extra layer of strategy—sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes to spot the elusive connection.
Community is another cornerstone of Connections’ appeal. As highlighted by The New York Times, the daily Connections forum invites players to share their thoughts, strategies, and even emotional highs and lows. “Welcome to today’s Connections forum, where you can give and receive puzzle — and emotional — support,” the article quips, capturing the lighthearted spirit that permeates the game’s culture. Comments are moderated for civility, and the editors encourage kindness and constructive feedback, creating a welcoming space for both seasoned solvers and newcomers alike.
For those who find themselves stumped, the forum and its accompanying hints offer a lifeline. But the real draw, as any Connections devotee will tell you, is the moment when the pieces finally click into place. It’s a small triumph—a spark of insight that can brighten even the dreariest morning or cap off a long day with a sense of accomplishment. And for those who don’t quite crack the code, there’s always tomorrow. As the article gently reminds readers, “Don’t feel down if you didn’t manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow.”
In an age where digital distractions are endless and attention spans are under siege, Connections offers a rare blend of challenge, community, and celebration. Whether you’re ringing in the New Year with a glass of bubbly and a triumphant solve, or simply enjoying a quiet moment of reflection with the day’s puzzle, the game has carved out a unique niche in the daily routines of its growing fanbase. And as each midnight brings a new opportunity to connect words—and people—it’s clear that this tradition is here to stay.
