2023 Holiday Card Hints

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Puzzle 1: Holiday budgeting

1. A cryptarithm is a puzzle where each letter maps to a digit.
2. Since we know that F is zero, and in the tens digit of AGAIN+GANG = PAINT, we see that I + N = N. This can only happen if I is a certain number
3. I is equal to 9.
4. In the 10,000 digit place of AGAIN + GANG = PAINT, we see that A + nothing = P. This must mean something was carried over from the previous digit place, and A + 1 = P.
5. Since we know I = 9, and HI * HI = YAK, we can figure out what the ones digit (K) is (9 * 9 = ?).
6. F = 0
   K = 1
   H = 2
   T = 3
   A = 4
   
7. P = 5
   N = 6
   G = 7
   Y = 8
   I = 9
   

Puzzle 2: White Elephant

1. Each clue corresponds to a color and a creature.
2. For example, "odd one out" refers to a "black sheep".
3. Once you have all the color-animal pairs, use the number in parentheses and take that letter. For example, taking the 7th letter of black sheep (7), gives you an "H".
4. 1. black ?
   2. golden ?
   3. blue ?
   4. white ?
   5. red ?
   6. pink ?
   7. yellow ?
   8. silver ?
   
5. 1. black sheep
   2. golden goose
   3. blue beetle
   4. white whale
   5. red herring
   6. pink panther
   7. yellow dog
   8. silver fox