The Guardian - Cryptic crossword No 24,888 - Dec 21 2009

Tired of your current crossword puzzle? Try solving our daily crossword puzzles. GO TO DAILY PUZZLES!
Clues Answers
A Christmas hangover suffered by the host MISTLETOE
About 100 mince pies are made from these RECIPES
All excited, sit with Santa's helper ASSISTANT
Altogether making a toast to those present after Christmas dinner? TOTHEFULL
Be united at the start of Christmas break CLEAVE
Bring in present INTRODUCE
Brush up for Santa's entrance SWEEP
By start of evening a Christmas tree may be lit up AFIRE
Character dragged up at this time of the year? DAME
Christmas carol coming up in a moment? One doubts AGNOSTIC
Cooking technique gets gold rating, perhaps AUGRATIN
Decoration son put on the tree SASH
Depressed kid goes to Aladdin's magic place CONCAVE
Despatches, say, transport in winter SLEIGHS
Festivities involve five in lively dances REVELS
Clues Answers
Finishes off the game KILLS
Get very excited, as Santa will do on 14? GOUPINTHEAIR
He may play a part in panto, great in size OGRE
He tries to give the Three Wise Men free treats MAGISTRATE
One monster bird followed by a second COCKATRICE
One stuffing the bird for one's lover SWAIN
Party decoration desired by would-be press baron? PAPERCHAIN
Party games in which actions speak louder than words CHARADES
Place to ski may be busy or in repose RESORT
Sprouts and peas, say, given a star VEGA
Stocking-up time CHRISTMASEVE
Such chairs are never sufficient for a party game MUSICAL
Switched on new tree, finally decorated — having made a bit of a mess LITTERED
With respect, 10 go crazy in wild revelry REVERENTLY
Yielding to pressure and handing over the present GIVING