New Year's Party Puzzles

[S.J.]

Puzzle 1: Hugh's Hidden Holiday Message


Hugh's excited to ring in the new year! He's got a toast prepared, but after getting distracted with too many snacks, it's been scrambled amongst this puzzle!​

Find all the listed words in the word search. Words may appear in a straight line in any direction: up, down, left, right, diagonally, and forwards or backwards. After all the words are found, read the remaining letters from left to right, top to bottom. These letters spell out a hidden phrase. Write the phrase into the spaces provided at the bottom of the page to reveal Hugh's New Year's message!

Submit the solved message to the New Year's Party Puzzles Submissions board no later than Thursday, 01 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. (Note: When using the submission board, your "thread title" and "message" do not matter. Under "Your Submission" you should include the solved hidden message, including correct spelling and grammar. Under "Round #", you should select "Round 1".)

Submission checklist:
You are submitting the solved message in the box saying "Your Submission" in a new thread in New Year's Party Puzzles Submissions board.
You have checked that all spelling and grammar are correct.
You have selected "Round 1" in the submission post.
You are submitting before Thursday, 01 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.​

 

[S.J.]

Happy New Year, everyone!

There have been quite a few entries already, but in case you haven't submitted, this public service announcement is to tell you that you have less than 24 hours left to submit Puzzle 1: Hugh's Hidden Holiday Message! I am super thrilled that some of you enjoyed it, so thank you for playing! ​

 

[S.J.]

Party Puzzle 2: Gala's Glittering Guest List


Gala's in full party-planning mode for her New Year's bash, but in all the excitement she's misplaced her guest list!
Your task: Help Gala reconstruct her guest list before the party starts!​

This is a criss-cross puzzle. Each clue describes one villager attending Gala's party. When you identify the correct villager, write their name into the grid. Solve all the clues correctly to reveal Gala's full New Year's guest list!​

Submit your completed puzzle to the New Year's Party Puzzles Submissions board no later than Tuesday, 06 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Please make sure to include your username written somewhere on your puzzle. (Note: When using the submission board, your "thread title" does not matter. In "message", post your completed puzzle. You may place anything in the "Your Submission" box, as we are not using it for this task. Under "Round #", you must select "Round 2".)

Submission checklist:
Your puzzle is completely filled out, and you have checked that all spelling is correct.
You are submitting your entire puzzle sheet.
Your writing is legible and your puzzle sheet/photo are clear.
You have included your username somewhere on the puzzle sheet.
You have selected "Round 2" in the submission post.
You are submitting before Tuesday, 06 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
You will not be able to edit your submission once it is submitted. Please DM me if you have an issue with your submitted entry.

 

[S.J.]

Puzzle 2 is Closing Soon!

Lots of entries submitted already, but in case you haven't submitted, there's less than 20 hours left (at the time of writing) to submit for Puzzle 2: Gala's Glittering Guest List! Make sure to submit by Tuesday, 06 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

Thanks again for playing! ​

 

[S.J.]

Party Puzzle 3: Lyman's Lost Logic


The big New Year's celebration is over and now it's time to... clean up.

Lyman is trying to gather all the Lost & Found items and figure out who to return them to, but the more information he receives, the more confusing it is becoming! Help Lyman work out which item belongs to which villager!​

This is a logic grid puzzle. Use the clues and grid provided to help you work out which items go together through a process of elimination and deduction. In this puzzle, you will determine which villager owns a lost item, where that villager was last seen, and what color outfit they were wearing. After completing the grid, write your answers in the table provided.

Every square in the grid must be filled. You may use any system you like, as long as it clearly shows which pairings are matched (correct) and which are not matched (incorrect). For example, or for matches and for non-matches. The final table must also be complete.

Submit your completed puzzle to the New Year's Party Puzzles Submissions board no later than Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Please make sure to include your username written somewhere on your puzzle. (Note: When using the submission board, your "thread title" does not matter. In "message", post your completed puzzle. You may place anything in the "Your Submission" box, as we are not using it for this task. Under "Round #", you should select "Round 3".)


Submission checklist:
Your puzzle is completely filled out and you have checked that all spelling is correct.
Your writing is legible and your puzzle sheet/photo are clear.
You are submitting your entire puzzle sheet.
You have included your username somewhere on the puzzle sheet.
You have selected "Round 3" in the submission post.
You are submitting before Sunday, 11 January 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
You will not be able to edit your submission once it is submitted. Please DM me if you have an issue with your submitted entry.