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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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?
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!
Thanks so much Sarah! We puzzled over that for hours!
Damn.. bog not sod.. oh well.. good game.
Mmm…I’ve forgotten where ‘bog’ comes from! Doh.
BOGOF = Buy One Get One Free + F (starts Friday)!
24 DOWN: Special offer starts Friday? Get away with you! (3,3)
Yay! Thank you offG. I look forward to a sacred, factual cup of tea xxx
Why 7?
Becaue OG didn’t remember Spinal Taps 11 joke.
Perhaps 7 people entered? Not everything is a conspiracy…
7 is not a conspiracy fellow slave!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNQRGohdW9Y
coup or pantomime?
Look forward to drinking from it!
how can we buy a mug?
Walk up to a masked stranger in the street and ask: “Are you for sale?”
I solved a paltry 8 of the clues. Do I get an Off-G thimble as a prize?
Me a dislexic mug! Crosswords I only ever have with Mrs Superbuggg in the month of Gay!
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.
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.