What the Dickens? It can only be the annual

Across

• 1.) In 2022 Mariah Carey tried to trademark the self-appointed title Queen of Christmas leading to a legal dispute with Elizabeth Chan and Darlene Love. (5,2,9)
  
• 12.) At Christmas time it's hard but when you're having fun. (2)
  
• 14.) Unseen means Invisible, also Discworld's Unseen University is in Hogfather. (6)
  
• 16.) I'll be Home for Christmas (if only in my dreams). (4)
  
• 18.) Tea is the hot beverage perfect for cold, winter days. (3)
  
• 19.) Zuzu is Bedford Falls' petite piano-playing person with petals in It's A Wonderful Life.(4)
  
• 20.) Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is marked with opening doors in December.(5)
  
• 22.) An Oven is a kitchen appliance used to cook turkey etc for Christmas dinner. (4)
  
• 23.) A Fir is a type of tree used as a Christmas Tree. (3)
  
• 25.) A Rasp is a scratchy, husky, rough voice that people with colds speak with. (4)
  
• 27.) Lebkuchen are German Christmas gingerbread biscuits.(7)
  
• 28.) According to the UK's highest-selling Christmas song, There won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime, nothing ever grows, no rain or rivers flow - do they know it's Christmastime at all? (6)
  
• 30.) Jon Bon Jovi's first released song was 'R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. (3,3,4)
  
• 34.) Annie is a comic book adaptation whose 1982 musical film changed the setting from Christmas to July because of the shooting schedule.(5)
  
• 36.) A Tie is a colourful noose inexplicably given to men at Christmas. (3)
  
• 37.) 'Twas the Night before Christmas when all through the house. (5)
  
• 38.) Father Christmas' sleigh goes into Orbit in Arthur Christmas.(5)
  
• 39.) Of all the trees that are in the wood the Holly bears the crown. (5)
  
• 40.) Yule is a pagan winter festival, Christmas log and tide. (4)
  
• 41.) The angel of the Lord came down and Glory shone around. (5)
  
• 42.) The Grinch is Dr Seuss' green and hairy Christmas-stealing character. (6)
  
• 44.) Mary's little donkey or Ass carried her to Bethlehem. (3)
  
• 46.) A nutcracker is a painted wooden Soldier. (7)
  
• 50.) An Annual is a yearly hardcover book given at Christmas. (6)
  
• 51.) A Spa is water-based therapy with vouchers given as Christmas gifts. (3)
  
• 52.) A good child will probably get a Toy for Christmas.(3)
  
• 54.) Martians are the alien race conquered by Santa Claus in Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964), probably the worst film ever made. (8)
  
• 56.) A Turtle is a flying tortoise found as doved pairs.(6)
  
• 58.) Silent night, Holy night Son of God, love's pure light.(3)
  
• 59.) The seven swans have Swum.(4)
  
• 61.) And so this is Christmas I Hope you have fun the near and the dear one the old and the young. (4)
  
• 62.) Jack Frost nipping at your nose.(4)
  
• 63.) When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my Bed to see what was the matter. See him lying on a Bed of straw. (3)
  
• 64.) A Robin is a bird pictured on Christmas cards; a round one is a type of letter.(5)
  
• 66.) Harry Belafonte's 1957 Christmas #1 was 'Mary's Boy Child'. (3)
  
• 67.) The invasive Yellow Crazy Ant is responsible for biodiversity disaster on Christmas Island. TV host Ant partners with Dec (Abbreviated December), with both appearing on Christmas film Love, Actually. (3)
  
• 68.) According to folklore, an unwanted illegitimate child born on Christmas Day is cursed to become a Werewolf for its blasphemy. None of this being bit by one rubbish, that's vampires. Poor baby! (8)
  
• 69.) Cindy-Lou Who wants to meet Santa, but has her tree stolen by the Grinch. (5,3)
  
• 70.) The Little Match Girl is a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of a girl who snuffs it on New Year's Eve. The 1987 musical adaptation gave the world Christmas classic 'Mistletoe and Wine', but not the beloved lyrics and inexplicably there's no swaying. (3,6,5,4)

Down

• 1.) Quality Street is a magic melting Mackintosh moment named after a play by Peter Pan playwright JM Barrie. (7,6)
  
• 2.) Presents are kept Under the Christmas tree and people kiss Under mistletoe. (5)
  
• 3.) ES are the initials of the main character in A Christmas Carol. (2)
  
• 4.) On the First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me. (2)
  
• 5.) Coventry is the bombed city the shunned are sent to famous for its aircraft hangar cathedral, naked woman and carol about slaughtered infants. (8)
  
• 6.) In film, Scrooge is portrayed as making his fortune by collecting Rent. (4)
  
• 7.) Greg Lake believed Father In Christmas (2).
  
• 8.) Father Christmas is also called St Nicholas. (2)
  
• 9.) A Terret, also spelt Territ, is a rein ring found with harnessed reindeer or on one horse open sleighs.(6)
  
• 10.) Mariah Carey has twice been Christmas #2 with 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' and has made an animated film of the same name. (7,5)
  
• 11.) Susan is the name of both Death's granddaughter in Hogfather and Lucy's sister in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. (5)
  
• 12.) In 1955 Dickie Valentine was Christmas #1 with 'Christmas Alphabet'. The alphabet is also known as A-Z. (2)
  
• 13.) A Turkey is poultry often eaten at Christmas. (6)
  
• 15.) Eek is a high-pitched screaming noise, such as made with excitement. (3)
  
• 16.) Ho Ho Ho is Father Christmas's favourite expression, the Green Giant too.(2,2,2)
  
• 17.) Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace and good will toward Men (3).
  
• 19.) Isaac Watts wrote 'Joy to the World' - Zac is a nickname for Isaac.(3)
  
• 21.) Maria was a Nun before she was a governess in The Sound of Music. (3)
  
• 23.) Fav is short for 'favourite'. We are often given favourite things at Christmas.(3)
  
• 24.) John Lennon sang 'War is over If you want it. War is over now'. (2)
  
• 26.) A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, released the day of Kennedy's assassination, is considered the best Christmas album ever by Rolling Stone magazine. (4,7)
  
• 30.) And a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of Jelly (5)
  
• 31.) The Number of partridges found in pear trees is One.(3)
  
• 32.) O tidings of comfort and Joy. Joy to the world. Repeat the sounding Joy. (3)
  
• 33.) The playing of the merry Organ, sweet singing in the choir.(5)
  
• 35.) There was No room in the inn. (2)
  
• 41.) In A Christmas Carol the Ghost of Christmas Present is a jolly Giant (5)
  
• 43.) Elton John's #24 hit in 1973 was 'Step Into Christmas' (4)
  
• 44.) Aslan is the Lion in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. (5)
  
• 45.) Father Christmas carries a Sackful of toys.(7)
  
• 47.) 1971's Christmas #1 was about Ernie the fastest milkman in the west, and Ernie Wise entertained audiences with Eric Morecambe.
  
• 48.) RT are the initials of the Radio Times, the definitive magazine to highlight ahead of Christmas. (2)
  
• 49.) A Bauble is a decorated ball hung on a Christmas tree. (6)
  
• 53.) Ox and ass before him bow. (2)
  
• 54.) A Model Railway may be found circling beneath a Christmas tree. (5)
  
• 55.) Sh! is a noise made indicating the need for a Silent Night. (2)
  
• 57.) It came Upon a midnight clear. (4)
  
• 58.) Sew - A needle pulling thread. (3)
  
• 60.) Wool is a warm, natural material perfect for hats, scarves and Christmas jumpers.(4)
  
• 62.) A Jay is a non-migratory member of the rook family found in the UK.(3)
  
• 63.) Bah Humbug was exclaimed by Scrooge at Christmas. (3)
  
• 65.) If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.(2)
  
• 66.) Bit is a small portion, something bitten or part of reins that controls a horse's mouth on a one-horse open sleigh.(3)

Bluebottle

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