What the Dickens? It can only be the annual

Across

• 1.) 1946 film about a man who wishes he had never been born. (3,1,9,4)
• 14.) Magi are also called Wise. Gender that gets good will towards. (3)
• 15.) Operation on a man who never was, spiced and found in pies. (9)
• 18.) When the snow lay round about deep and crisp and ? (4)
• 19.) Once in royal city. To you in town this day is born of line (5's) See also 54 across.
• 20.) What the Goons were doing for Christmas across the Irish Sea backwards and James and his snowman were doing in the air. (7)
• 22.) Man dressed as a woman on stage. Oh no she isn't! (4)
• 24.) The colour of Rudolph's nose. (3)
• 26.) The Reindeer most often mistaken for a kebab. (6)
• 29.) Stand to keep Christmas tree upright. (6)
• 30.) In crowded shops before Christmas you might get jostled and ...? (7)
• 32.) That is. In other words. (2)
• 33.) A thought or mental plan. A Gift catalogue gives an ? of what to get loved ones for Christmas. (4)
• 34.) At the end of a leg, often hidden beneath newly-given socks. (4)
• 36.) Expression of surprise, also archaic spelling of 'Yes'. (2)
• 37.) Female sheep that the shepherds watched by night. (4)
• 38.) Wet white fluffy stuff. (4)
• 41.) The name of both Jesus� mother and the woman in the lingerie department in National Lampoon�s Christmas Vacation. (4)
• 43.) King of the birds in British and Irish folklore, killed, wrapped in ribbons, put on a pole and paraded on Boxing Day. (4)
• 45.) Metal device used to unlock sealed gates, locks and doors. (3)
• 47.) Bearded animal similar to sheep. A Yule one is found in Scandinavian Christmas traditions. (4)
• 48.) Where there was no room. Holiday known for the first singing of 'White Christmas'. (3)
• 49.) Decorated dangling ball on a Christmas tree.(6)
• 52.) Expression of gratitude said when a gift is received. (6)
• 54.) Played the bishop in The Bishop's Wife (1947) following 19 across. (5,5)
• 55.) Red velvet flower. (5)
• 57.) Burnt smell often called Frank at Christmas. (7)
• 58.) Carol about a Bohemian Duke murdered by his brother Boleslaus the Cruel in 935, posthumously promoted to saint and royalty three decades later, who went for a walk on Boxing Day. (4,4,9)
• 62.) Father Christmas lives at the North one. (4)
• 63.) Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem because of this. (6)
• 65.) Herod's first wife and a Day revered by the LGBTQ+ community. (5)
• 67.) In a manger. (4)
• 68.) A ray of hope flickers in the Ding Dong! Verily the. (3)
• 69.) What the Snowman does at the end. (4)
• 71) A manger is something used to feed an ? Muppet drummer (6)
• 74.) High ground. Mariah Carey's 'Where Are You Christmas?' was sung by Faith as Carey's ex-husband Tommy Mottola- Sony Music's head - stopped Carey releasing her own version. (4)
• 75.) Present given at Christmas. (4)
• 77.) Christmas number one last Christmas. (4,9)
• 78.) Act Christmas #2 in 1984 and 2022, finally #1 in 2023. (4)

Down

• 1.) White Christmas just like the ones we used to know. (2,8,2,1)
• 2.) Hot beverage perfect for cold, winter days.(3)
• 3.) See the winter's snow. (4)
• 4.) Pantomime character created by Lord Byron's cousin. (5,7)
• 5.) The First Day of Christmas my true love gave to me. (2)
• 6.) Dorothy's aunt. (2)
• 7.) Christmas flying mammal that eat carrots left near chimneys. (8)
• 8.) Genre populated by magical beings, heroes and magic. (7)
• 9.) On the ninth day of Christmas they go dancing. (6)
• 10.) Ten lords a- (7)
• 11.) Number of calling birds in Roman Numerals (2)
• 12.) The world, let them know it's Christmas time. (4)
• 13.) Sorceress or witch, such as Jadis, Queen of Narnia. (11)
• 16.) Canes. (5)
• 17.) Number of pipers piping. (6)
• 21.) Dr Seuss' green and hairy Christmas-stealing character. (6)
• 23.) Cons found in a fully-equipped house, particularly kitchen. (3)
• 25.) Toymaker who works with Father Christmas, also Will Ferrell film. (3)
• 27.) Be me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay faithful friends gather to us. (4)
• 28.) Argument. Families often have a big one on Christmas day. (3)
• 31.) Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel is the king of Israel. (4)
• 35.) Exclamation of surprise or joy. (2)
• 39.) In Discworld, the Librarian of Unseen University's favourite word. (3)
• 40.) Toast with mulled cider or ale, often to trees, and carols. (7)
• 42.) Chestnuts roasting on open fire. (2)
• 44.) Miser Scrooge's first name. (8)
• 45.) Male doll toy often a present at Christmas, you know. (3)
• 46.) He had a broad one and a little round belly that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. (4)
• 49.) St Mary Bethlehem Hospital, founded in 1247. (6)
• 50.) I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw the sash. (2)
• 51.) Chocolate tree cake. (3)
• 52.) Thin sparkly metallic material hung as garland. (6)
• 53.) 8-bit 1980s Nintendo game console. (3)
• 56.) O come all faithful joyful and triumphant.(2)
• 59.) The UK's most popular model railway gauge since 1922. (2)
• 60.) Cold, hard, solid water, often dangerous when on roads. (3)
• 61.) Porcelain material used for Christmas crockery and decorations. (5)
• 62.) Metal item used for cooking food, flying adolescent called Peter (3)
• 64.) Pair of long, thin sticks kept underfoot, used to travel over snow. (4)
• 65.) Animals for life, not just for Christmas. (4)
• 66.) Blind umpire hated by both sides during the Boxing Day match. (3)
• 69.) A name Julie Andrews calls herself. (2)
• 70.) Tiny. (3)
• 72.) Santa Claus Coming to Town when a child born.(2)
• 73.) Initials of Aardman film about the Christmas family. (2)
• 74.) An informal greeting given to friends and family at Christmas. (2)
• 76.) Abbreviated word for thank you, said after receiving gifts. (2)

The crossword is intended to be fairly easy and assumes rudimentary knowledge of the Christmas story, popular Christmas songs, carols, films (including fantasy and musicals), and general winter. If the question makes no sense, it may be a title or lyric with a missing word. Please note: all songs and Christmas chart positions are based on Britain's national chart.

Answers next week!

Bluebottle

23.12.24 Front Page

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