If you’re visiting this page, you probably require help with **[Strands](https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands)**, *The New York Times*’ innovative take on the traditional word search game.
**Strands** encourages players to approach word searches with a fresh perspective. Words can be created by linking letters in any direction — upward, downward, leftward, rightward, or diagonally. The unique aspect is the ability to shift direction while forming a word, resulting in interesting shapes and patterns. Each letter in the grid contributes to a solution, and all answers are connected through a shared theme. Moreover, there’s the “spangram,” a distinctive word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and traverses the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.
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### Other Games You May Like:
– [Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and additional options on Mashable](https://games.mashable.com/)
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Unlike other well-known *New York Times* games such as **[Wordle](https://mashable.com/category/wordle)** or **[Connections](https://mashable.com/category/connections)**, **Strands** does not supply a word list, which makes it a more difficult and time-consuming mental challenge. If you find yourself struggling or lack the time to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the hints you require to proceed at your own pace.
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### Useful Links:
– [Wordle today: Answer and hints for January 2](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-2-2025)
– [NYT Connections hints and answers for January 2](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-2-2025)
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## **Today’s NYT Strands Theme: Super Bowl**
Today’s theme centers around typical ingredients in a winter dish.
### **Theme Explained:**
The words you need to find are all items you would typically have in a bowl of soup.
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## **Spangram Hint:**
Today’s spangram appears **vertically**.
### **Spangram Answer:**
The spangram for today is **ChickenSoup**.
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### **NYT Strands Word List for January 2:**
Here’s the complete list of words for today’s challenge:
– **Stock**
– **Celery**
– **Onions**
– **Carrots**
– **Noodles**
– **Pepper**
– **Chicken Soup**
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### Featured Video:
**Strands 101: How to Succeed at NYT’s Newest Word Game**
(*Watch the video above for valuable tips and techniques!*)
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### Seeking More Games?
Visit **[Mashable’s Games Hub](https://games.mashable.com/)** for an array of puzzles, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords. If you’re eager for more challenges, Mashable is here to assist you!
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### Missed Yesterday’s Puzzle?
[Here’s the answer to January 1’s Strands.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-1-2025)