Solve the NYT Connections Puzzle #562 (December 24, 2024) – A Christmas Eve Challenge!
Stuck on today's Connections puzzle from the New York Times Games? Don't worry, this guide provides hints, clues, and ultimately, the complete solutions to help you conquer this word puzzle, even on Christmas Eve.
The Words: The puzzle includes: Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My, Dear, Jays, Bills, Use, Bye, Bees, Please, Close, Tight, Gimme, Ease, and Intimate.

General Hints:

- No sports teams.
- No specific animal categories.
- "Bye" and "Gimme" belong together.
Category Clues and Solutions:
Yellow (Easy):

- Hint: A famous Wizard of Oz phrase.
- Answer: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!
- Words: Bears, Lions, Oh my, Tigers
Green (Medium):

- Hint: Close companions.
- Answer: Beloved, as a Friend
- Words: Close, Dear, Intimate, Tight
Blue (Hard):

- Hint: Consider words that sound like plural letters (e.g., Seas, Geeze, Eyes).
- Answer: Words that Sound Like Plural Letters
- Words: Bees, Ease, Jays, Use
Purple (Tricky):

- Hint: Think song titles, and consider what happens when you triple the words.
- Answer: When Tripled, They Form Hit Song Titles
- Words: Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please
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, They Form Hit Song Titles (Bills, Bye, Gimme, Please)

Ready to play more? Head over to the New York Times Games Connections website!
