**The Mini Crossword: A Rapid Puzzle Solution from The New York Times**
[The Mini](https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini) is a small, concise edition of *The New York Times*’ renowned daily crossword. While the standard crossword presents a more extensive and challenging task that requires both knowledge and perseverance, The Mini provides a brisk and cheerful option.
With only a handful of clues to decipher, The Mini has turned into a daily race against the clock for numerous enthusiasts. Nonetheless, stumbling upon a difficult clue can interrupt the rhythm and bring about frustration. If you happen to be stuck — similar to when playing [Wordle](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-24-2024) or [Connections](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-24-2024) — don’t fret, we’re here to assist.
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### Clues and Answers for NYT’s The Mini Crossword (Tuesday, December 24, 2024)
#### **Across**
1. **Christmas ___**
*Answer:* **Eve**
2. **Desire intensely, as Christmas cookies**
*Answer:* **Crave**
3. **Musical instrument commonly heard in many Christmas carols**
*Answer:* **Organ**
4. **Rounded pile**
*Answer:* **Mound**
5. **Wine maker’s tool**
*Answer:* **Press**
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### **SEE ALSO:**
[Play Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)
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#### **Down**
1. **Editor’s find**
*Answer:* **Error**
2. **Like a Christmas wish list that simply states “toys”**
*Answer:* **Vague**
3. **Chris from “Knives Out”**
*Answer:* **Evans**
4. **Give for free**
*Answer:* **Comp**
5. **Reaches an end**
*Answer:* **Ends**
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If you’re seeking additional puzzles to tackle, Mashable has plenty to offer! Visit our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
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### **Featured Video for You**
**The Wordle Approach Utilized by The New York Times’ Games Head**
Watch the video to discover strategies for excelling at Wordle.
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### **More Puzzle Enjoyment**
– Are you also trying out NYT Strands? [Check out hints and answers for today’s Strands here](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-24).
– Did you miss yesterday’s Mini? [Here’s the solution for December 23, 2024’s puzzle](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-mini-crossword-answers-hints-december-23-2024).
Enjoy your puzzling!