CROSSHARE
Print Puzzle
Download .puz File
Account / Settings
Construct a Puzzle
Profile

The First Noel

◆ · By DavyGravy · Published 2024-12-23T11:00:04.779Z

Meta Prompt
The meta answer deals with Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Muggles! However it is you celebrate this time of year, I hope it is filled with peace, joy . . . and this holiday puzzle! Thank you to @Abide for his editing expertise, @Joe Ross for the formatting info, and @WendyWalker and @AlSisti for not only test solving - but for offering excellent suggestions to make this one come together. Updates during the week, nudges on Christmas Day, and solution on Sunday. Enjoy!
Checking for previous play data...

Leaderboard (updated hourly)

  • Schmeel solved 2024-12-23T12:29:05.614Z
  • Darth solved 2024-12-23T14:22:53.469Z
  • DIS solved 2024-12-23T14:35:53.615Z
  • JM solved 2024-12-23T14:40:46.727Z
  • KayW solved 2024-12-23T15:42:08.448Z
  • Dave C solved 2024-12-23T16:01:59.992Z
  • I K Snamhcok solved 2024-12-23T16:17:03.203Z
  • MatthewL solved 2024-12-23T17:17:54.901Z
  • Hector solved 2024-12-23T17:39:49.390Z
  • DaBromsJames solved 2024-12-23T18:14:09.680Z
  • Meg solved 2024-12-23T18:14:42.336Z
  • boharr solved 2024-12-23T18:16:08.941Z
  • omnilynx solved 2024-12-23T18:41:14.623Z
  • Cindy Weatherman solved 2024-12-23T19:46:49.221Z
  • ajk solved 2024-12-23T20:57:33.585Z
  • whimsy solved 2024-12-23T21:12:56.950Z
  • LarsCaine solved 2024-12-23T22:14:32.967Z
  • HeadinHome solved 2024-12-23T22:42:24.764Z
  • LB800 solved 2024-12-23T22:46:24.901Z
  • Cindy Heisler solved 2024-12-23T22:51:02.673Z
  • Eric Porter solved 2024-12-23T23:20:46.493Z
  • heidi solved 2024-12-23T23:41:18.438Z
  • BarbaraK solved 2024-12-23T23:44:04.559Z
  • CPJohnson solved 2024-12-23T23:59:05.630Z
  • markhr solved 2024-12-24T00:26:13.940Z
  • woozy solved 2024-12-24T02:41:58.489Z
  • Kulea solved 2024-12-24T02:44:18.729Z
  • ELSavage solved 2024-12-24T04:04:21.183Z
  • Anita and Steve solved 2024-12-24T07:35:22.034Z
  • Abide solved 2024-12-24T16:38:27.622Z
  • Berto solved 2024-12-24T18:28:09.858Z
  • lbray53 solved 2024-12-25T00:57:52.449Z

Comments

Sign in with google to leave a comment of your own:

  • Darth 14:45 · 2024-12-23T14:23:59.337Z
    Fun puz and awesome construction, Dave! Merry Christmas to you and yours! :D
    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T15:32:11.550Z
      Thank you Darth. That Jedi clue was for you!🤓
      • Darth 14:45 · 2024-12-25T01:09:44.308Z
        I saw that! Thanks! :D
    • KayW 🤓8:11 · 2024-12-23T15:43:41.431Z
      Fun and clever. Thanks for the holiday fun, Davy and Merry Xmas to you!
      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T16:47:16.048Z
        You’re welcome. Merry Christmas
      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T16:49:21.570Z
        I wonder if people are catching the double meaning in the prompt. The Grinch literally “deals with Christmas” - albeit in a twisted way! Abide offered that one.
        • MatthewL 🤓6:56 · 2024-12-23T17:19:49.232Z
          Fun one, Davy. Got a little tripped up because TKOS could also be the alternate for LOST, but finally found HOTS. But quickly realized that THE GRINCK is not a thing. Thanks for the puzzle!
          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T17:45:34.654Z
            Ah good catch. Thanks for solving
            • ELSavage 🤓9:11 · 2024-12-24T04:15:08.977Z
              I was working in order, so I knew where it was going after item #4, and with HOTS right there in the upper left, I never looked anywhere else. It has to be hard to avoid a common letter combination like that - I thought of a couple (not necessarily in the puzzle) even in the time it took me to get my eyes back to the puzzle.
            • Meg 2s · 2024-12-23T18:16:04.347Z
              I has ESTO instead of HOTS, which gave me The Grince. Very nice, Davy!
              • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T05:43:04.486Z
                Thanks Meg!
              • boharr 3s · 2024-12-23T18:17:54.251Z
                An apt answer for me as I never can get things in order. I was rescued though. Thanks Dave. Merry Christmas.
                • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T19:25:08.372Z
                  Thanks for solving Bob. Merry Christmas
                • ajk 🤓17:36 · 2024-12-23T21:00:46.900Z
                  Second thing I tried (first was just deleting the Ls to make new words). Cleverly done. Easy enough to pick the correct LOST match with the rest of the letters in place. Thanks. :)
                  • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T21:49:42.034Z
                    Thanks for solving and commenting Alan. Enjoy your semester break!
                  • whimsy 11:13 · 2024-12-23T21:43:46.772Z
                    🎄A nice holiday treat! Thank you, Davy!
                    • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-23T23:04:39.423Z
                      Glad you enjoyed it. Happy holidays!
                    • LB800 3s · 2024-12-23T22:47:12.696Z
                      Loved this! So much fun!
                      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:52:38.991Z
                        Thank you. Fun is the whole point. And it’s all free too!
                      • BarbaraK 2s · 2024-12-23T23:51:18.529Z
                        The first themer gave me _ H _ G _ _ N _ _ which was enough to see where it was going. But because I’m obsessive, I still had to find the rest. (And because it’s fun:)
                        Good meta!
                        • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:51:54.183Z
                          Obsessive? I can relate! I’m glad you enjoyed the puzzle.
                        • lbray53 15s · 2024-12-24T00:38:47.975Z
                          Loved this. When I was teaching 8th grade math the geometry unit came up in December. Parallel was tough to spell so I told my students two L’s then one L and since it was Christmas NOEL. So the unit extra credit question was PARE is the correct Yuletide spelling for what? TMI but 40 years later former students tell me that is how they remember to spell it.
                          • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T00:58:53.903Z
                            Great story. Remember PEMDAS? I always asked the students “Who’s Aunt Sally…and why are we excusing her?!”
                          • woozy 14:36 · 2024-12-24T02:45:38.887Z
                            Wow... great job. I was lost for a while (I know you were going for No-L but couldn't go further) but I should have seen the numbers were distinct. I kept seeing hints for the metanism but kept dismissing them until ANGIE said "Stop ignoring me!" and bopped me in the head.
                            Sadly ESTO (42D) conflicts with HOTS... sniff
                            • HeadinHome 6:52 · 2024-12-23T22:45:26.473Z
                              Love the puns… are you a rising Dr. Tom?? Classic metanism! I had to reveal for the Te ___ Anton” x “Tony Gwynn” entries.. I had AMORO/SMP (guess I coulda googled).
                              • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T04:16:35.581Z
                                SDP (San Diego Padres) are the letters on Tony Gwynn’s baseball cap. Despite being a big baseball fan, I had never seen the P. A big thank you Al Sisti for that nugget.
                                • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-25T02:26:29.411Z
                                  I never meta pun I didn’t like!
                                • ELSavage 🤓9:11 · 2024-12-24T04:06:06.443Z
                                  Nice little puzzle with just enough difficulty that I had to put it down and got to experince the aha moment when I came back for a second look.
                                  • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T05:30:13.544Z
                                    Glad you enjoyed it! There’s something about putting it down and coming back later with a whole new set of eyes. It’s always a fun aha moment.
                                  • Mr Tex 8:30 · 2024-12-24T13:56:41.932Z
                                    I still don't see it. For the love of god, why do must I beg you all to explain your metas.
                                    • Abide 3s · 2024-12-24T16:45:10.468Z
                                      Remove the L. Scramble remaining letters and look for extra letter in new word. (the first one is acTors). Rinse and repeat 8 more times.
                                      • DavyGravy constructor · 2024-12-24T18:13:44.072Z
                                        There are always Wednesday nudges for MMM puzzles on the forum. I will post tomorrow - promise!
                                      Play today's daily mini crossword
                                      1A
                                      Red ___ (spicy candy)
                                      1
                                      2
                                      3
                                      4
                                      5
                                      6
                                      7
                                      8
                                      9
                                      10
                                      11
                                      12
                                      13
                                      14
                                      15
                                      16
                                      17
                                      18
                                      19
                                      20
                                      21
                                      22
                                      23
                                      24
                                      25
                                      26
                                      27
                                      28
                                      29
                                      30
                                      31
                                      32
                                      33
                                      34
                                      35
                                      36
                                      37
                                      38
                                      39
                                      40
                                      41
                                      42
                                      43
                                      44
                                      45
                                      46
                                      47
                                      48
                                      49
                                      50
                                      51
                                      52
                                      53
                                      54
                                      55
                                      56
                                      57
                                      58
                                      59
                                      60
                                      61
                                      62
                                      63
                                      64
                                      65
                                      66
                                      67
                                      68
                                      69
                                      70
                                      71
                                      72
                                      Across
                                      1. 1A
                                        Red ___ (spicy candy)
                                      2. 5A
                                        49 Down make them up
                                      3. 10A
                                        Mike Tyson had 24 in the first round
                                      4. 14A
                                        "I hope and ___ that I safely make it up this steep Scottish hillside!"
                                      5. 15A
                                        Billboard #1 song from 1973 by The Rolling Stones
                                      6. 16A
                                        Prefix with sphere
                                      7. 17A
                                        Ancient waxy holiday decoration? (2, 7, 4)
                                      8. 20A
                                        Danza and Bennett
                                      9. 21A
                                        Sweater material
                                      10. 22A
                                        Latin 101 word
                                      11. 25A
                                        This: Fr.
                                      12. 26A
                                        Cut short
                                      13. 27A
                                        Sheltered place for a boat
                                      14. 29A
                                        Women of title
                                      15. 33A
                                        Cantina first course
                                      16. 34A
                                        ___ - Atlantic Pipeline
                                      17. 36A
                                        Pester, puppy style
                                      18. 38A
                                        Santa's helpers abandoned intimacy? (5, 9, 8)
                                      19. 43A
                                        "Te ___ Anton", last line of "West Side Story" (sob)
                                      20. 44A
                                        Word with red or blue
                                      21. 46A
                                        Arizona's third-largest city
                                      22. 50A
                                        Fuss before a mirror
                                      23. 52A
                                        Jedi foe
                                      24. 53A
                                        Group with a pet project? (Abbr.)
                                      25. 55A
                                        Maple syrup source
                                      26. 57A
                                        "I'm an idiot!" in Simpsons-speak
                                      27. 58A
                                        Nova ___
                                      28. 60A
                                        The last words of “Over the Rainbow"
                                      29. 62A
                                        Christmas song's tree topper left out in the snow? (1, 3, 6)
                                      30. 67A
                                        0 letters on old phones
                                      31. 68A
                                        Busy guy on December 25th
                                      32. 69A
                                        Spy stuff
                                      33. 70A
                                        1980 Oscar winner
                                      34. 71A
                                        Head lock?
                                      35. 72A
                                        ___ boy!
                                      Down
                                      1. 1D
                                        "The Sopranos" network
                                      2. 2D
                                        Shaq's first NBA team, on scoreboards
                                      3. 3D
                                        Just a little
                                      4. 4D
                                        Religious faction
                                      5. 5D
                                        Shown the door, at work
                                      6. 6D
                                        Mayberry sheriff
                                      7. 7D
                                        Individually wrapped cheese slices (Abbr.)
                                      8. 8D
                                        No-win situation?
                                      9. 9D
                                        ___ trap for
                                      10. 10D
                                        Slight traces
                                      11. 11D
                                        Serbian provence
                                      12. 12D
                                        Single squat or crunch
                                      13. 13D
                                        Former Toyota coupe
                                      14. 18D
                                        Bronx-born congresswoman, familiarly
                                      15. 19D
                                        ___ and outs (details)
                                      16. 22D
                                        Play part
                                      17. 23D
                                        "Encore!"
                                      18. 24D
                                        White house office shape
                                      19. 28D
                                        Ltr. holder
                                      20. 30D
                                        New Zealand native (anagram of Mario)
                                      21. 31D
                                        They're added to foot baths
                                      22. 32D
                                        H. S. exam for seniors
                                      23. 35D
                                        Yellow, Red, or Dead e.g.
                                      24. 37D
                                        RN specialty, hopefully
                                      25. 39D
                                        Letters on Tony Gwynn's baseball cap (look closely)
                                      26. 40D
                                        Hosp. rooms
                                      27. 41D
                                        Null and ___
                                      28. 42D
                                        This, in Tijuana
                                      29. 45D
                                        "Silence!"
                                      30. 46D
                                        Mr. or Mrs. Met, e.g.
                                      31. 47D
                                        Make a getaway
                                      32. 48D
                                        Future ferns
                                      33. 49D
                                        Ones who make a scene?
                                      34. 51D
                                        Bamboo munchers
                                      35. 54D
                                        Catch a bug, say
                                      36. 56D
                                        "Harper Valley ___"
                                      37. 59D
                                        NHL stat
                                      38. 60D
                                        Sno-___
                                      39. 61D
                                        "Did you hear those two Peruvian owls are up to no good again?" "Yep - they're always ___ hoots!"
                                      40. 63D
                                        "My Mother the ___" short lived 1960's sitcom
                                      41. 64D
                                        Understood
                                      42. 65D
                                        Summer N.Y. hours
                                      43. 66D
                                        She played Marty's mom in "Back to the Future"
                                      Loading...