**The Mini Crossword: A Quick and Enjoyable Puzzle Solution**
[The Mini](https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/mini) is a smaller edition of *The New York Times*’ renowned daily crossword. While the complete crossword presents a more extensive and demanding challenge that tests your knowledge as well as your endurance, The Mini provides a distinct atmosphere — brief, engaging, and ideal for a rapid mental exercise.
Featuring only a handful of clues to decipher, The Mini frequently serves as a speed test for gamers wishing to finish it as swiftly as possible. Nevertheless, stumbling upon a challenging clue might interrupt your momentum and lead to some irritation. If you find yourself at an impasse — similar to [Wordle](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-january-1-2025) or [Connections](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-january-1-2025) — don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
—
### Clues and Solutions for NYT’s The Mini (Wednesday, January 1, 2025)
#### **Across**
1. **Month that marked the beginning of the new year in early 3-Down calendars**
*Answer: March*
2. **Cherish greatly**
*Answer: Adore*
3. **Producer of Ironman Triathlon timepieces**
*Answer: Timex*
4. **Conclude**
*Answer: Cease*
5. **Seeks (for)**
*Answer: Hunts*
—
### **Down**
1. **Football match**
*Answer: Match*
2. **French speaker’s goodbye**
*Answer: Adieu*
3. **Similar to Janus, the deity of new beginnings**
*Answer: Roman*
4. **Characteristic of a cockatoo’s crest**
*Answer: Crest*
5. **Not-so-kind magical incantations**
*Answer: Hexes*
—
Hunting for additional puzzles? [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) has an array of options including Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
—
### **Featured Video for Puzzle Fans**
Watch the strategy behind Wordle, elaborated by *The New York Times*’ Head of Games:
—
### **More Puzzle Enjoyment**
– Engaging with NYT Strands? [Access today’s hints and solutions here](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-january-1-2025).
– Missed the previous day’s Mini Crossword? [Locate the answer here](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-mini-crossword-answers-hints-december-31-2024).
Enjoy your puzzling!