Ah Holy Night

A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
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Bird Lives
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Ah Holy Night

#1

Post by Bird Lives »

CPW Snow 500.jpg
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This did not start out as a Christmas puzzle. It was just another meta, and the metanism has nothing to do with the holiday. But the alert MMM editorial staff (i.e., @Clark E. Tripe, to whom much thanks) saw that if we dressed it in a Santa suit, asked the redoubtable @Joe Ross to put a wreath in the grid, and hung a few ornaments on the clues, it might serve a seasonal purpose.

The metanism is not complicated, but its interpretation may be a slight challenge, and some solvers may be temporarily distracted by unintentional red herrings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Nudges the day after Boxing Day.

The answer (five letters) is something found under many Christmas trees.

Ah Holy Night
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Jay
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LarsCaine
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#2

Post by LarsCaine »

Fell victim to a red herring :(
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minimuggle
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#3

Post by minimuggle »

I've found something which just can't be a coincidence. Or else I'm in a nice holy rabbit hole. Merry Christmas.
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ky-mike
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#4

Post by ky-mike »

Off the couch! Hark the Herald Angels Sing!
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MatthewL
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#5

Post by MatthewL »

Off the couch. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!
Matthew
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boharr
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#6

Post by boharr »

No more sitting on the couch for me. Thank you Jay and Merry Christmas 🎄
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hcbirker
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#7

Post by hcbirker »

OTC. Fun one Jay! Happy everything to one and all!
Heidi
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SamKat9
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#8

Post by SamKat9 »

OTC, Merry Christmas!
Shannon 🐱
PS: If you want help with a meta, PM what you have so I can help without spoiling too much. I've received lots of help in the beginning and I love to pay it forward!
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Wendy Walker
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#9

Post by Wendy Walker »

Off the couch, but only figuratively. Nursing a minor but entertaining watercress-associated injury!
Good luck, fellow Muggles!
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Ergcat
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#10

Post by Ergcat »

Off the couch! Very fun meta for a Christmas Day! Thanks, Jay!
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ChrisKochmanski
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#11

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

OTC!

Happiest to all!
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Meg
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#12

Post by Meg »

OTC but wondering what a watercress-associated injury is. Thanks, Jay!
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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SJMcK
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#13

Post by SJMcK »

I don’t know what to do with the themer commonality
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BarbaraK
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#14

Post by BarbaraK »

SJMcK wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 7:30 pm I don’t know what to do with the themer commonality
Don't overthink it :)

I'm off the couch! Fun puzzle!
If you want help with a meta, feel free to PM me. The more specific you are about what you have and what you want, the more likely I can help without spoiling.

(And if I help you win a mug, I’ll be especially delighted.)
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schmidzy
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#15

Post by schmidzy »

BarbaraK wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 8:03 pm
SJMcK wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2023 7:30 pm I don’t know what to do with the themer commonality
Don't overthink it :)

... Too late! 😂
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benchen71
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#16

Post by benchen71 »

Off the couch! Merry Christmas everyone!
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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KayW
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#17

Post by KayW »

:crossed_swords: :rabbit: :couch_and_lamp: :christmas_tree: Fun one - and excellent job weaving in a holiday theme! Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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Berto
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#18

Post by Berto »

OTC!
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Bird Lives
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#19

Post by Bird Lives »

On the first day of the meta, my true love gave to me
Twenty-seven solvers solving.
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Solvers 650.jpg
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Presumably, others were too busy drinking eggnog, unwrapping presents, singing carols, roasting the goose, reading Dickens, etc to spend much time at the MMM hearth. And since today is Boxing Day, here is a box with a special surprise in it.

You may have noticed the multiple occurrences of letters that spell out a SantaClausical expression. That’s the unintended red herring.

But there are ways of thinking about letters other than the words they spell.

More tomorrow.
Jay
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whimsy
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#20

Post by whimsy »

OTC with the boxing day gift --
Untitledzzboxing.png
Thanks, Jay!
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