And now for the answers to the annual

• 1) Holiday Inn is the film in which Bing Crosby first sang 'White Christmas'. (7,3)
• 6) Crackers are traditionally pulled at Christmas. (7)
• 11) Girl's name sung at Christmas are Carols (6)
• 13) Donner is the reindeer often mistaken for a kebab. (6)
• 15) There is often a good atmosphere or Vibe at Christmas. (4)
• 16) Christmas time. Mistletoe And Wine Children singing Christian rhyme. 1988 No 1. (9,3,4)
• 21) A Bottle is a container that wine comes in, brought to Christmas parties. (6)
• 23) There were Nine Ladies Dancing, which in Roman Numerals is IX. (2)
• 24) Christmas time. Don't let the bells End. (3)
• 25) Ice is cold, hard, solid stuff found on roads in winter. Also 25 down. (3)
• 26) Showaddywaddy had a UK Christmas No 2 with 'Under the Moon of Love' (4)
• 28) ET is a film about an Extra Terrestrial often shown around Christmas. (2)
• 29) Shepherds visited the baby Jesus. A female sheep is called a Ewe. (3)
• 30) Father Christmas's favourite word is Ho; he often says it thrice. (2)
• 31) Charles Dickens is the author of A Christmas Carol. (7,7)
• 33) Lapland is the northernmost part of the EU. (2)
• 34) Kermit the Frog sang that there is only 'One More Sleep 'Til Christmas'. (6)
• 35) Rudolph had a red Nose. (4)
• 36) Rudolph was a Reindeer (8)
• 38) In A Christmas Carol, Dickens describes the Ghost of Christmas Present as a jolly Giant (5)
• 41) Nicholas is often referred to by the abbreviated title St or Saint. (2)
• 43) Away In a manger. (4)
• 44) Rolf Harris was Christmas No. 1 in the UK in 1969 with 'Two Little Boys'. (6)
• 45) The Wise Men were from the East. (4)
• 46) In pantomimes, a magical Genie is often found in a lamp. (5)
• 48) The present Frank Cross's brother received in Scrooged was a VCR. (3)
• 50) Cupid is the most romantic reindeer. (5)
• 52) 'Tis the season to be jolly. Also 42 down. (3)
• 53) The name of both Death's granddaughter in Hogfather and Lucy's sister in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is Susan (5)
• 54) Cliff Richard was No 2 in the UK in 1962 with 'The Next Time / Bachelor Boy'. (4)
• 56) Deck the halls with bells and holly. Fa la la la la la la la La (2)
• 57) O Come All Ye Faithful (2)
• 58) Blackadder had a Moustache shop in Blackadder Christmas Carol. (9)
• 63) At Christmas, people who eat and drink too much feel Ill (3)
• 64) Mary is the name of both Jesus' mother and the woman in the lingerie department in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. (4)
• 65) Seven Swans were swimming. (5)
• 66) Father Christmas carries his presents in a sack or Bag (3)
• 68) There was a Miracle on 34th Street. (7)
• 70) A Cab is often used to take people home after a Christmas party. (3)
• 71) In Love, Actually Hugh Grant had the afternoon job of PM or Prime Minister. (2)
• 72) The sequel to animated classic The Snowman is called The Snowman and the Snowdog (7)
• 73) Xmas is a brief Christmas. (4)
• 74) Trees are plants often found decorated at Christmas. (5)

• 1) A Humbug minty striped sweet often exclaimed at Christmas. (6)
• 2) Last Christmas I gave you my heart, but the very next day you gave it away. (4,9)
• 3) A Doll is a toy traditionally played with by girls at Christmas. (4)
• 4) Ale is an alcoholic beverage (3)
• 5) The first Noel of these the angels did say. (4)
• 7) Religious Education classes at school are abbreviated to RE (2) Also 49 down.
• 8) Ebenezer Scrooge is the name of Charles Dickens' famous miser. (8)
• 9) It's traditional to Read poem The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve (4)
• 10) Cliff Richard's 1990 Christmas No 1 was Saviour's Day. (8,3)
• 12) Shakin' Stevens sang 'Merry Christmas Everyone' (7)
• 13) Two turtle Doves (5)
• 14) 'The angel said, "Don't be afraid, Mary. You will give birth to a son and you will Name him Jesus."' (4)
• 15) Vixen is the foxiest reindeer. (5)
• 17) A Nutcracker is a shell-opening painted wooden soldier that is fond of ballet. (10)
• 18) Mary rode on a little Donkey. (6)
• 19) In both Santa Clause 2: The Mrs Clause and Single Santa Seeks Mrs Claus, Santa has to get a Wife. (4)
• 20) The angel said 'Don't be afraid, I bring good News' (4)
• 22) A number of reindeer that pull a sleigh is called a Team (4)
• 25) See 25 across.
• 27) You see a lot of Ads on TV promoting furniture sales at Christmas. (3)
• 30) But little lord Jesus no crying He makes. (2)
• 32) Five gold Rings (5)
• 34) Children often sit on Father Christmas's Knee. (4)
• 37) Little Drummer boy. Per rum-pa-pa-pum. (7)
• 38) You may play a board Game or one of charades with family at Christmas. (4)
• 39) At Christmas time it's hard but when you're having fun. (2)
• 40) Classic adaptations are often on TV at Christmas. Maybe even Tess of the d'Urbervilles (4)
• 42) See 52 across.
• 44) A Hat is an item of clothing made out of paper that's found in crackers and worn at Christmas. (3)
• 47) A Nut is a hard-shelled food eaten at Christmas with the help of 17 down. (3)
• 49) See 7 down. (2)
• 51) Bing Crosby and David Bowie sang 'Little Drummer Boy Peace on Earth' (5)
• 55) I'll be home for Christmas. You can count on me. (1'2)
• 59) 1987's UK Christmas No 1 was Pet Shop Boys' 'Always On My Mind' (2)
• 60) Tiny Tim's favourite phrase is 'God bless Us every one'! (2)
• 61) A long time Ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say. (3)
• 62) Hi is an informal greeting. It's nice to greet people at Christmas. (2)
• 65) Christmas number ones in the days of LPs were based on the most popular selling single. A Single is also known as a SP (2)
• 67) The time since Jesus birth is called AD. (2)
• 69) CS Lewis wrote Christmas story The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. (2)

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