Santa’s given us a Phi on Christmas Day!
Independent 12,234 / eimi
Our Christmas Eve cryptic challenge has been set by eimi, perhaps better known to many for his general knowledge puzzles in the i at the weekend. It has been a while since I have solved one of his cryptics, and I am wondering if there is any significance in his name being spelt with a lower-case “e”, both alongside the puzzle and in the clue at 6.
Enigmatic Variations 1725 10 Across by Raffles
Two clue devices this week. Extra letters in the wordplay and misprints in some definitions. Also 10 unclued entries and a piece of encryption to solve at the end. The gentleman amateur cracksman is our setter – for those who remember the novels by E W Hornung or Anthony Valentine on TV in the early 70s
Financial Times 18,248 by MONK
Thanks to Monk for a fabulous puzzle.
Guardian 29,886 / Pangakupu
An entertaining puzzle from Pangakupu to accompany the festive preparations
Inquisitor 1938: Christmas-time at Hook-a-Gate by Pomfret Cake
We enter the run-up to Christmas with Pomfret Cake’s IQ challenge.
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,885 by Paul
Thanks to Paul for today’s puzzle – my favourites were 12ac, 16ac, 13dn and 17dn. Merry Christmas, all.
Independent 12233 / Atrica
An Atrica puzzle concludes my Independent blogs for 2025.
Financial Times 18,247 by PETO
In more than one instance, today’s entry from Peto tested my ability to spell out the parsing in a comprehensible fashion . . .
Financial Times 18,246 by BOBCAT
BOBCAT kicks off the week…
Independent 12,232 by Bard
I've not done many Bard puzzles before, so it took me a while to get into the mindset. The grid was unusual with 4 longer double word clues around the perimeter.
Guardian 29,884 – Alia
A gentle but elegant puzzle to ease into Christmas week. Thanks to Alia, and best wishes of the season to all.
Financial Times 18,245 by Mudd
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 20, 2025
No grid this week, sorry. Slight cock-up on the automation front.
Financial Times 18,244 by Julius
Jumbo puzzle for Christmas 2025
Guardian Quiptic 1,361/Anto
I have solved and blogged enough Anto puzzles for regular readers to know that I am not a fan of his Quiptic offerings, so I will present you with the blog this morning and let you make of the puzzle what you will.