At the Spectator Christmas PARTY(90) the TREE (42D) has a FAIRY (22), a STAR (78) and TINSEL strewn around (41, 42A, 50). The STARTER (or 81) is followed by 30 and 75 {3,3}. The TURKEY has come from France (67D), the GOOSE is accompanied by 20 and 31D, and the 102’s are followed by 15,
The unclued lights (all but one either hyphened or of two words) share a distinctive feature. Across 1 Fun and games of conservative leader amongst those opposing him (6) 7 Cost out red herald’s tunic, once (6) 13 Less convincing Debussy composition …. (5, two words) 16 … and which gets first directed badly by
The unclued lights (one of two words) display a common feature, different in each case. Across 1 Fundamentalist group keeps imprisoning old lady (5) 6 Runs out of banners for ships (8) 14 This slow match at Ibrox, when second-rate, would lack edge (4)15 Nosy parker holds son captive (8) 16 About a pound, one
The unclued lights (one of two words and one hyphened) are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Across 10 United in love, writhing, it produces seed (5) 11 Lady Taverner takes sanctuary more than once (5) 14 Gather the harvest, measure spoken about, then cut (6) 15 If at odds, get an intermediary (5) 17
The ten unclued lights (one of two words and hyphened) consist of two themes which can be resolved into five playful pairs. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 10 Source of painting old archdeacon found in spring (10)12 Display and make lace as well (6)13 Richard Murphy, it’s said, is a tyrant (8)17 Tending to wear
The unclued lights (two of two words) are of a kind. Across 12 To make sense of Sun puzzle, many go on and on (10)14 17 regularly discloses gun? (3)15 One fated, cruelly, to have no ear? (8, hyphened)17 A medic’s morning tipple? (5, two words)19 We’re told Roman king suffers ruin (6)22 Rallying cry
The unclued lights from 1 Down to 44 are of a kind with 4 overrunning a barline into 22. Ignore their four accents. The highlighted squares, read in order row by row reveal the theme and are a translation of the puzzle’s title. Across 1 Most splendid former capital with bombed site (8)5 Upmarket magazine
Ten of the eleven unclued lights are of a kind and consist of singleton of two words, three pairs and a trio. The eleventh unclued is thematic when paired with an anagram of the five highlighted red letters. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and an accent. Across 4 Talked of mark on potato magazine (9)11 Little
14 which is unclued below, but is clued elsewhere, has to be divided into three components (one a Spanish imperative), each of which is linked with a trio of unclued lights. Across 1 US soldier with Christmas novelty among my low-value ornaments (11) 7/40 Bowler on Anglo-French 10s (6) 11 Fruit, almost a pound,
The unclued lights (individually or four pairs) lead to a word or phrase which includes a thematic component. Across 1 Shetland viol berceuse regularly appearing for Zoroastrians (7)6 New guest admitting the French Dravidian speakers (7)11 Group of eight with leader of orchestra around court (6)14 Audibly criticise Aubrey’s sheep run (5)15 Online greeting accepted
The unclued Across lights are of a kind, as are the associated Down ones. Across 1 Friendship revealed by American Dream endlessly renewed (11)7/40 Chubby girl’s crime? (6)13 Harem guards regularly return fuchsias, as if gone astray (7)15 Banker in Berlin spending a lot? (5)16 Strips off for spa treatments (5)18 Cove finding home to
The unclued lights (two of two words and one hyphened), individually or as three pairs are of a kind. The red squares, when correctly arranged, reveal an associated name (6,6) which solvers must include when submitting their solution. Across 1 Cut of meat, peas and cole stewed (8)6 Whiteness of church garment at start of
The unclued lights (five of two words and one of three) should be paired to reveal four expressions verifiable in Brewer. Ignore one accent. Across 10 Plant setter left, it being covered in resin (5)11 Hardy bay tree? Obviously not (6)12 Bioethical problem of 150 willing to participate with 18 (7)16 Central American distributed narcotics
Eight thematic words (one of two words), which solvers have to discover and whose two-letter abbreviations form the anagram I’M IRISH-CAVAN-YORK, do not appear in the grid, as the title suggests, but each can be linked with one of the unclued lights. Two unclued lights are of two words, another includes an apostrophe and a
Each clue defines the full solution to which the letter-count refers. However, the cryptic wordplay leads to the grid entry, after one letter has been omitted each time it appears in the full solution. The omitted letters in clue order reveal a relevant timely phrase which solvers should include with their entry. Across 1 Helped
The unclued lights are of a kind. Chambers does not include 17D. Across 4 New cabinet door which bears information (11) 11 Depict England captain Illingworth after drink (7) 12 Unploughed land where member takes in bad air (6, hyphened) 13 In France, he is in school, for the most part (9) 14 Good
The unclued lights (as four pairs and a singleton which includes an abbreviation and apostrophe) are of a kind. 36 is an acronym and 10 includes an accent. Solvers should highlight a further themed title of two words hidden separately in the final grid. Across 1 Sheriff’s officer’s wild spat during argument (8) 12
The unclued lights (two of two words, one of which includes an apostrophe) are of a kind. Where alternative final letters occur, M and O are to be used, not T and I. Across 11 Carpet salesman finished right at the front (7) 12 Rode at front, elevated as aid to driver (6, hyphened)
The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as one pair, are of a kind. Across 9 City call that reverberates (4) 11 A bouncer from evil European, reportedly (9, two words) 12 The Times with leaders only advocating German economic safeguards (4) 17 Explosive sounds of large swallows (5) 20 Petty quarrel
The unclued lights (two of two words) be paired and are linked by an anagram of the four letters in the yellow squares. Brewer verifies the theme. Across 1 No stamp confused Pat. Could be him! (7) 6 Optical expert’s endless worry returning item for camera (7) 12 Gave notice of danger of now