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Christmas Crossword: Solution, Winners and Prizes

Twelfth Night is here, and that means it’s time time to print the solution to our first ever Christmas Crossword, announce the winners and showcase their prizes.

Before all of that, first a note of thanks and good will in the New Year. We launched our first ever puzzle this Christmas because we felt people needed – and deserved – at least some distraction and joy over the holiday season.

The feedback we got was great, and we’re happy so many of you appreciated both the method and the motive.

Secondly, special mention and commisserations to 11 entries who were so close, but fell short by just a few letters. Doubtless you know who you are. Better luck next year!

Without further ado, here is the solved crossword in its entirety:

We are very excited to unveil our prizes…

Seven Limited Edition Off-Guardian Mugs, one for each of our 7 winners. In fact, the first seven in existence. Because facts really should be sacred, especially at tea time.

Congratulations to SAM, TERRY, MARK, JAMES, SARAH, PHIL & SIMON, and a happy new year to everyone who took part!

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Waotu
Waotu
Jan 7, 2021 6:34 PM

Really enjoyed having a go at the crossword and managed to successfully complete more than 2/3. Stumped by the reference to 30/23 – can anyone tell what this meant?

Sarah
Sarah
Jan 8, 2021 3:02 PM
Reply to  Waotu

30/23 is LOCKDOWN. 30d being LOCK (flock without head, i.e. ‘f’) and 23a DOWN (blue=depressed, and an across, rather than a down clue). Nice clues!

Waotu
Waotu
Jan 8, 2021 7:28 PM
Reply to  Sarah

Thanks so much Sarah! We puzzled over that for hours!

Daniel Spaniel
Daniel Spaniel
Jan 7, 2021 3:38 PM

Damn.. bog not sod.. oh well.. good game.

Sarah
Sarah
Jan 7, 2021 6:08 PM
Reply to  Daniel Spaniel

Mmm…I’ve forgotten where ‘bog’ comes from! Doh.

Sarah
Sarah
Jan 22, 2021 8:35 PM
Reply to  Sarah

BOGOF = Buy One Get One Free + F (starts Friday)!

24 DOWN: Special offer starts Friday? Get away with you! (3,3)

Sarah
Sarah
Jan 7, 2021 12:46 AM

Yay! Thank you offG. I look forward to a sacred, factual cup of tea xxx

Voz 0db
Voz 0db
Jan 6, 2021 9:33 PM

Why 7?

TheseGo2Eleven
TheseGo2Eleven
Jan 6, 2021 10:14 PM
Reply to  Voz 0db

Becaue OG didn’t remember Spinal Taps 11 joke.

Sid
Sid
Jan 7, 2021 12:25 AM
Reply to  Voz 0db

Perhaps 7 people entered? Not everything is a conspiracy…

Voz 0db
Voz 0db
Jan 7, 2021 9:27 PM
Reply to  Sid

7 is not a conspiracy fellow slave!

Panto season
Panto season
Jan 6, 2021 8:23 PM
Sid
Sid
Jan 6, 2021 8:05 PM

Look forward to drinking from it!

fritzi Cohen
fritzi Cohen
Jan 6, 2021 7:38 PM

how can we buy a mug?

Phil McAvertie
Phil McAvertie
Jan 6, 2021 8:44 PM
Reply to  fritzi Cohen

Walk up to a masked stranger in the street and ask: “Are you for sale?”

Gwyn
Gwyn
Jan 6, 2021 7:21 PM

I solved a paltry 8 of the clues. Do I get an Off-G thimble as a prize?

Superbuggg
Superbuggg
Jan 6, 2021 6:43 PM

Me a dislexic mug! Crosswords I only ever have with Mrs Superbuggg in the month of Gay!

Loverat
Loverat
Jan 7, 2021 5:57 PM
Reply to  Superbuggg

These mugs are going to be priceless in a few years. You can just see the antique dealers on ‘Flog it’ in 2025. My “I love Ivor Cummins” T Shirt too. In years to come they’ll be ripping it off my back.

I’m a former share trader, so know. Get in fast and hard.

Loverat
Loverat
Jan 6, 2021 6:18 PM

Great idea. I collect mugs – my favourite in my collection is 21st century wire, I picked up at an event. But my brain is not wired up for crosswords.

I’m sure Off G will do another competition – perhaps at Easter, Mastermind style, on a specialised subject.