Are you searching for the latest solution to The New York Times Mini Crossword? If so, you’ve come to exactly the right place. Here, you can easily access not only the most current Mini Crossword hints for today’s puzzle but also a comprehensive list of daily answers and carefully crafted clues for several of The New York Times’ most beloved brain games — including Wordle, Strands, and both versions of the increasingly popular Connections puzzle: the standard edition and the specialized Sports Edition. Each of these games offers a distinct mental challenge, and our collection of hints and insights is designed to help you approach them strategically rather than through mere guesswork.
As someone born in December, I found today’s Mini Crossword especially delightful. Puzzles during this festive month often carry subtle seasonal nuances or a hint of holiday flair, which may have contributed to the extra amusement it provided. If you’re curious to see how those clues came together, read on — the full set of answers and explanations await you below. In addition to providing today’s solutions, we also encourage aspiring solvers and casual players alike to explore our expertly written **Mini Crossword Tips** section. There, you’ll discover guidance on how to improve your solving speed, recognize common clue patterns, and strengthen your general puzzle intuition — all valuable skills for anyone hoping to master the art of concise crosswords.
For those whose puzzle interests extend beyond the Mini, we’ve also compiled up-to-date answer keys and tactical hints for word games like **Wordle**, the associative logic challenge **Connections** and its **Sports Edition**, and the creative visual-word hybrid known as **Strands**. All of these can be conveniently found on **CNET’s dedicated New York Times puzzle hints page**, a centralized hub for daily updates and expert solving advice across the entire NYT puzzle ecosystem.
Before diving into today’s solution breakdown, you may also wish to explore our in-depth editorial feature, *Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword*, where our team dissects various solving strategies, discusses time-efficient methods for interpreting clue wording, and explores why the Mini crossword appeals to both novice puzzlers and seasoned experts. Now, without further delay, let’s move on to today’s completed puzzle and the explanations for each clue and corresponding answer.
**Completed NYT Mini Crossword for December 22, 2025**
(*Image reference: NYT puzzle with CNET screenshot for visual context*)
**Across Clues and Answers:**
1A. *Clue:* Greeting from Kermit the Frog
*Answer:* **HIHO** — a cheerful catchphrase famously associated with the beloved Muppet character.
5A. *Clue:* Apt name for a baby born around Christmas
*Answer:* **CAROL** — a name that evokes the joyous songs sung during the holiday season.
6A. *Clue:* Body part that might be sprained or rolled
*Answer:* **ANKLE** — a joint often vulnerable to minor sports injuries or missteps.
7A. *Clue:* Apt name for a baby born around Christmas
*Answer:* **NOEL** — meaning “Christmas” in French, a fitting name for a holiday-season birth.
8A. *Clue:* Unlikely to leave a mess
*Answer:* **TIDY** — describing someone who maintains order and neatness.
**Down Clues and Answers:**
1D. *Clue:* Vietnam’s capital city
*Answer:* **HANOI** — the political and cultural heart of Vietnam, known for its rich history and vibrant street life.
2D. *Clue:* Irritated
*Answer:* **IRKED** — a word expressing mild annoyance or vexation.
3D. *Clue:* Apt name for a baby born around Christmas
*Answer:* **HOLLY** — another seasonally inspired name, tied to the traditional festive plant with bright red berries.
4D. *Clue:* Cry at a bullfight
*Answer:* **OLE** — an enthusiastic exclamation of praise or encouragement commonly heard at Spanish bullfights and other performances.
5D. *Clue:* “I ___ even!” (modern complaint)
*Answer:* **CANT** — a phrase used humorously to dramatize exasperation or disbelief in contemporary speech.
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Sourse: https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/todays-nyt-mini-crossword-answers-for-monday-dec-22/#ftag=CAD590a51e
