9 comments on “Maskarade Bonus Jumbo 27th December 2025”

  1. paddymelon
    #1 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 19:25

    Thanks duncanshiell for making it possible for all of us to join in. Wishing you good health and returns of your kindness in the coming year.

    (I’ve just woken up to find your post, and still at the cold solving stage. Maskarade seems quite accessible and a pleasure, so far.)

  2. Avi
    #2 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 21:08

    One clue that really stuck with me was 20A “Streeting’s needlework?”. That one made me stop, smile, and then reread it once the answer became clear. It’s a great example of how the puzzle manages to be playful while still doing real cryptic work, especially given the letter omissions you’re juggling throughout the grid. More of that kind of surface would be a treat.

    Avi
    -Crossword.guru

  3. Jay
    #3 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 21:29

    I made an interactive grid for myself which anyone is welcome to use…

    https://crossword.info/jono/Maskarade_Christmas_2025

    Enjoyed the puzzle, many thanks to Maskarade!

  4. Fiona
    #4 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 22:20

    I thought with Jumbo puzzles the blog did not appear for a week after the puzzle was published. I prefer it that way.

  5. paddymelon
    #5 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 22:27

    Thank you Jay#3.

  6. duncanshiell
    #6 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 22:47

    Fiona @ 4

    The jumbo today is not a prize puzzle. The solution was printed in the paper today, upside down beside the actual puzzle, so it seems reasonable to me to publish the blog fairly quickly. Only the introduction to the blog will be visible at the top level of the fifteensquared website. It will be mid afternoon UK time before I will be able to publish the blog.

  7. Fiona
    #7 - Sat 27th Dec 25, 23:43

    duncanshiell @6

    I didn’t say it was a prize.

    I don’t know why the answers were printed in the paper today – I didn’t notice and would have preferred not to have that pointed out.

    It used to be that the answers to Jumbo puzzles were printed a week after the publication and as I said I preferred that. I liked having a week to mull over the puzzle and then read the blog and join in the discussion.

    And please don’t say that I don’t have to look at the blog till later – I am well aware of that.

  8. Aicul
    #8 - Sun 28th Dec 25, 00:17

    I have looked forward to the Christmas crossword for more than 20 years, and was really sorry when it didn’t show up on the Saturday before Christmas. The editor has not given a reason, as far as I know, but clearly asked us to support the Guardian by buying a printed copy. My husband and I bought one copy each. We were keen to support the Guardian and hope to see a Christmas crossword next year. So, I was disappointed to see fifteensquared undermining them by publishing the crossword online.

  9. ilippu
    #9 - Sun 28th Dec 25, 07:13

    Thanks duncanshiell.

    Thanks Maskarade, excellent setting, as always.

    Enjoyed this…worth the wait, and the troubles to get hold of it!

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