If you’ve arrived here, you are likely seeking some advice to navigate **[Strands](https://www.nytimes.com/games/strands)**, *The New York Times’* intricate word-search game.
### What is Strands?
Strands adds a creative element to the classic word search. In this game, players can construct words by connecting letters in any direction — up, down, left, right, or diagonally. However, there’s a twist: words can also shift direction, yielding delightful and surprising shapes. Every letter in the grid contributes to a solution, and all answers share a unified theme. Moreover, there’s a “spangram” — a distinctive word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and spans the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.
### A Brain-Teasing Challenge
In contrast to other popular NYT games such as **[Wordle](https://mashable.com/category/wordle)** or **[Connections](https://mashable.com/category/connections)**, Strands provides a more demanding experience. With merely a vague hint and no word list available, it necessitates a bit more time and effort to crack. If you’re pressed for time or feel like you’ve hit a wall, don’t fret — we have all the hints required to keep you moving at your own pace.
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### **Today’s NYT Strands Theme: Time for an Upgrade**
– **Hint:** The words in today’s puzzle pertain to various parts of your kitchen.
– **Theme Explained:** The solutions involve items you might enhance during a kitchen renovation.
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### **Today’s Spangram Hint: Horizontal or Vertical?**
– **Hint:** Today’s spangram is located horizontally.
– **Answer:** The spangram is **KitchenRemodel**.
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### **Word List for January 8**
Here are all the solutions for today’s Strands puzzle:
– **Backsplash**
– **Countertop**
– **Island**
– **Sink**
– **Oven**
– **KitchenRemodel**
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### Searching for More Games?
If you’re eager for more puzzles, be sure to visit **[Mashable’s Games page](https://mashable.com/category/games)** to find Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and more. You can also browse our **[games hub](https://games.mashable.com/)** for further challenges.
Did you miss yesterday’s puzzle? No problem! You can check out the solution to January 7’s Strands **[here](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-7-2025)**.
Enjoy your puzzling!