If you're anything like me, the day is not complete until I finish all of the free word games from the New York Times. Working on the dailyConnections,Wordle, andStrandsis a whole ritual for many of us. And we can't forget about the NYT's TheMini Crossword, too!
Although the NYT is known for "The Crossword," a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.
So, if you're working on today's Mini on Thursday,December25, 2025, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!
🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
Hints for NYT's The Mini Crossword on Thursday, December 25, 2025
Here are additional clues for each of the words in today's Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Hints
1 Across: ___ King Cole, singer with the album "The Magic of Christmas" —HINT: Starts with the letter "N"
4 Across: Body drawings, informally —HINT: Ends with the letter "S"5 Across: Letters to ___ (what this Mini was made with) —HINT: Starts with the letter "S"
6 Across: Huge fan, in slang —HINT: Ends with the letter "N"7 Across: "Illmatic" rapper —HINT: Ends with the letter "S"
Related:16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours
NYT Mini Down Hints
1 Down: Grandmothers, by another name —HINT: Ends with the letter "S"
2 Down: Abbr. before a name on a memo —HINT: Starts with the letter "A"
3 Down: Org. with long lines around the holidays —HINT: Ends with the letter "A"
4 Down: "See ya later!" —HINT: Ends with the letter "A"
5 Down: Govt.-issued ID —HINT: Starts with the letter "S"
Answers to NYT's The Mini Crossword for Thursday, December 25, 2025
Don't go any further unless you want to knowexactlywhat the correct words are in today's Mini Crossword.
NYT Mini Across Answers
1 Across: ___ King Cole, singer with the album "The Magic of Christmas" —NAT
4 Across: Body drawings, informally —TATS5 Across: Letters to ___ (what this Mini was made with) —SANTA6 Across: Huge fan, in slang —STAN7 Across: "Illmatic" rapper —NAS
NYT Mini Down Answers
1 Down: Grandmothers, by another name —NANAS
2 Down: Abbr. before a name on a memo —ATTN
3 Down: Org. with long lines around the holidays —TSA
4 Down: "See ya later!" —TATA
5 Down: Govt.-issued ID —SSN
Related: Popular Chocolate Snacks Are Being Recalled for a Potentially Dangerous Reason—Here's What to Know
This story was originally published byParadeon Dec 25, 2025, where it first appeared in theLifesection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.