| CLAUS | Southern worker, casual maybe, becoming Father Christmas (5,5) |
| SANTA | Southern worker, casual maybe, becoming Father Christmas (5,5) |
| GROOM | *This before becoming father? |
| TIELESS | Dressed business casual, maybe |
| SECRETARY | Mysterious Ray maybe becoming office worker (9) |
| SADDER | Dreads maybe becoming a darker, duller situation |
| CRAFTSMANSHIP | Skill shown by southern worker going between vessels (13) |
| SANTANA | Southern worker with two articles for musical group (7) |
| SAPIENT | Wise southern worker hiding crusted item |
| OFFHAND | Bad worker, casual (7) |
| SANTAANNAL | Yearly record of Father Christmas? |
| SANTACLAUS | Father Christmas (5,5) |
| SANDINISTA | Revolutionary racket is brought in by Father Christmas |
| SLEIGHRIDE | Trip with Father Christmas? (6,4) |
| STNICHOLAS | Father Christmas (... letters 6-9) |
| UNION | Complete agreement to debar southern workers' group (5) |
| HORSESHOER | Farrier starts to ride stallions, every steed wrapped by Father Christmas, perhaps? (10) |
| BIOPIC | Movie about life of Father Christmas, maybe! (6) |
| KURT | ___ Russell, actor who portrayed Father Christmas in the Christmas Chronicles films (4) |
| MINC | Historical "vin sec", aka crisp white wine; or, a hefty bundle of goodies, gifts or tasty treats on which to dine, such as that carried by Father Christmas or by a startled office worker at the end of |
