This is a Christmas puzzle, and it appeared on Boxing Day, 2007. I usually put my Christmas-themed puzzle the week before the holiday, but 2007’s example was full of words like SHOPPING-MALLS and CONSUMERS, and it probably would have had COMMERCIALISATION if it hadn’t been too long. This puzzle is – if not exactly more seasonal – at least less jaded. And I’m grateful, as always, to The Independent for permission to reuse it – the link to the current puzzle is to the right.
ACROSS
7 MP3 player I put back with hesitation on display stand (6)
8 8 down, say – a connoisseur of coffers? (8)
9 8 down, say, represented by painters? (8)
10 8 down, say – mistake unknown by church? (6)
11 8 down, say, one brought in to float a sailor (6)
13 8 down, say, may score wildly (8)
15 Someone who enjoys some ridiculous errors (4)
16 8 down, say, millions observed in 8 down part 1, on reflection (5)
17 8 down, say, single without number (4)
18 8 downs particularly associated with 8 down part 1? (8)
20 Location of bat about to be put in display unit (6)
21 8 down, say – King to quit, being linked to booze (6)
23 8 down, say, except one’s after sheep (8)
25 8 down, say, recalled no golfer’s target in appearance (4,4)
26 Conservative keeping away from gyrating hot rock artist (6)
DOWN
1 Native American tribe greeting involving a little work (4)
2 He expected something to turn up – mineral, exotic brew (8)
3 Amicable to change, like the simplest insects (10)
4 Beemer carefully going around another German car (4)
5 Stone, leaves, water (6)
6 Sticks around half of army, rattling door in military areas (5-5)
8 Item of seasonal décor – chimes restart after malfunction (9-4)
12 I must be so disciplined after a binge? Not if this (10)
14 One films new church set up in America, possibly (4-6)
17 Poster to be on a par with ‘acceptable’ (8)
19 Martian craft – see one taken to leader (6)
22 Famous exile against one participating in revolutionary party (4)
24 Article getting Hong Kong upset and cross (4)
Solution
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