Tackle today's Connections puzzle from the New York Times Games, even on this Christmas Eve! Need a little help conquering this relaxing word puzzle? You've come to the right place.

This guide is perfect if you already know how to play Connections. Below, you'll find general hints, category clues, spoilers, and more. Everything you need to win is right here.

Words in the NYT Connections Puzzle #562 for December 24, 2024

Today's Connections puzzle includes: **Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My, Dear, Jays, Bills, Use, Bye, Bees, Please, Close, Tight, Gimme, Ease,** and **Intimate.**

Hints for the NYT Connections Puzzle

Looking for helpful tips without spoilers? Check out the sections below. Some offer subtle clues, while others provide partial spoilers. The full solution is at the very bottom.

General Hints for the Entire Puzzle

Here are some general hints:

1. No groups are about sports teams.
2. No groups are specifically about animal types.
3. "Bye" and "Gimme" belong in the same group.

Yellow Category Hints

Hints for the yellow/easy category: **A famous Wizard of Oz phrase.**

Yellow Category Answer

The yellow category is: **Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!**

Yellow Category Answer and Words

The answer is **Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!** The words are: **Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers.**

Green Category Hints

Hints for the green/medium category: **Close companions.**

Green Category Answer

The green category is: **Beloved, as a Friend.**

Green Category Answer and Words

The answer is **Beloved, as a Friend.** The words are: **Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight.**

Blue Category Hints

Hints for the blue/hard category: **Other words that could fit: Seas, Geeze, Eyes.**

Blue Category Answer

The blue category is: **Words that Sound Like Plural Letters.**

Blue Category Answer and Words

The answer is **Words that Sound Like Plural Letters.** The words are: **Bees, Ease, Jays, Use.**

Purple Category Hints

Hints for the purple/challenging category: **One-third of a song title.**

Purple Category Answer

The purple category is: **When Tripled, Hit Song Titles.**

Purple Category Answer and Words

The answer is **When Tripled, Hit Song Titles.** The words are: **Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please.**

Answers for Today's NYT Connections #562 (December 24, 2024)

Ready for the complete solution?

• Yellow - Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!: Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers
• Green - Beloved, as a Friend: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight
• Blue - Words that Sound Like Plural Letters: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use
• Purple - When Tripled, Hit Song Titles: Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please

Want to play? Visit the New York Times Games Connections website—it's available on most devices with a browser.