The solutions to 21 normal clues will initially
leave empty cells. An extraneous letter
in the wordplay of each of the remaining 32 clues, in the given order, provide
key words from a line to a song along with the composer. Solvers must complete the empty cells using
the song, leaving real words or proper nouns (including an abbreviation) which,
in turn, define the 15 cells in two straight lines which must be highlighted.
The extra letters from wordplay provide “SISTER
SUSIE SITTING (on a) THISTLE”, a line from “All I Want for Christmas is MY TWO
FRONT TEETH” by Donald Yetter GARDNER.
Two INCISORs were therefore the required highlighting.
The Crossword Centre's Report
The December Prize Puzzle was Seasons Greetings XII by Eclogue. The theme
of this crossword was the song All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front
Teeth. In the grid the word INCISOR had to be highlighted twice, crossing
diagonally.
Here are some of the comments from solvers.
Lovely puzzle, and indeed all anyone could want for Christmas. Excellent
craft in developing the concept, and grid construction. Quite liked the
way the Incisors were depicted in the completed grid. Many clever clues
too - could have been a whole lot tougher if 'Sister Susie' hadn't revealed
itself early on, and knowing there must be a Christmas connection made it
possible to identify the theme. A most enjoyable solve.
Thanks to all the setters and the CC team for regularly providing high
quality, stimulating puzzles.
This was a fun puzzle from Eclogue. I was chomping at the bit to tackle
this and eagerly sank my teeth into it. I soon worked out that the composer
was GARDNER, but that almost caused me to bite off more than I could chew,
as I initially settled on *John* Gardner and tried to find a connection to
"Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day" or "The Holly and the Ivy." Fortunately,
I gritted my teeth and worked out the tougher clues, which allowed me to
fill in the gaps. I was able to whistle a happy tune when the puzzle was
completed!
An entertaining solve with a novel twist on the Christmas theme. The
missing items were neatly handled in the grid to allow all real words and
finding the ones to be highlighted was surprisingly hard – don’t think I’d
expected them to be crossed! Thanks to Eclogue for this puzzle and for
keeping the tradition going.
There were 46 entries, of which 5 were marked incorrect. Solvers who
highlighted 15 cells were marked correct, as long as the two incisors were
included. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat was Rod Bell,
who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which was
donated by Chambers.
