Today’s NYT Mini Crossword for Monday, December 22, 2025, is feeling incredibly festive! With Christmas just around the corner, the puzzle editor has gifted us a mini-theme revolving around holiday-inspired names.
Whether you are stuck on the geography clue or trying to remember exactly how Kermit starts his sentences, we have the full solution below.
Puzzle Analysis
Today’s grid is a standard 5×5 Monday puzzle, which usually means it’s on the easier side. However, the clever “Apt name for a baby born around Christmas” clue repeats three times (twice across, once down), which might throw you off if you are expecting different clues for different slots.
- Theme: Christmas Baby Names.
- Tricky Clues: “Greeting from Kermit the Frog” (requires specific Muppet knowledge) and “Vietnam’s capital city” (a geography check).
Hints for Today’s Puzzle
Need a nudge without seeing the completed grid? Here are hint-based breakdowns for the tougher clues.
Across Hints:
- 1 Across: The standard opening line for the most famous Muppet.
- 5 Across: A song you sing door-to-door in December.
- 6 Across: You might roll this while running.
- 7 Across: The French word for Christmas (also a man’s name).
- 8 Across: Neat and organized.
Down Hints:
- 1 Down: The capital city located in northern Vietnam.
- 2 Down: Annoyed or bothered.
- 3 Down: A prickly plant with red berries.
- 4 Down: A shout of encouragement in a Spanish stadium.
- 5 Down: “I ___ even!” (Internet slang for being overwhelmed).
Spoilers Below!
Warning: The section below contains the direct answers for today’s puzzle.
Across Answers
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeting from Kermit the Frog | HIHO |
| 5 | Apt name for a baby born around Christmas | CAROL |
| 6 | Body part that might be sprained or rolled | ANKLE |
| 7 | Apt name for a baby born around Christmas | NOEL |
| 8 | Unlikely to leave a mess | TIDY |
Down Answers
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vietnam’s capital city | HANOI |
| 2 | Irritated | IRKED |
| 3 | Apt name for a baby born around Christmas | HOLLY |
| 4 | Cry at a bullfight | OLE |
| 5 | “I ___ even!” (modern complaint) | CANT |
How to Play NYT Mini Crossword
If you are new to the Mini, here is how to get started:
- The Grid: It is a 5×5 grid (sometimes larger on Saturdays).
- The Goal: Fill in all white squares with letters to form words based on the clues.
- The Timer: The game tracks how fast you solve it. Try to beat your personal best!
- Rebus: Unlike the main crossword, the Mini rarely uses complex tricks or “Rebus” squares (multiple letters in one box).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the answer to 1 Across in today’s Mini?
The answer to “Greeting from Kermit the Frog” is HIHO.
Why are there three clues with the same text?
Today’s puzzle uses a “Christmas Baby Name” theme. The clues for 5 Across, 7 Across, and 3 Down are identical (“Apt name for a baby born around Christmas”) but have different answers: CAROL, NOEL, and HOLLY.
When does the NYT Mini reset?
The puzzle resets daily at 10:00 PM ET on weekdays and 6:00 PM ET on weekends.
