| MIDSUMMER | Christmas in New Zealand, say, is absorbing day, claimed by Christmas performer |
| ATLAS | Where to find a map of New Zealand, say |
| DODGEBALL | Magistrate's absorbing day, given party game |
| CAROL | Christmas performers: - singers |
| EDDA | Two books, each absorbing day after day |
| STOCKINGS | They should be well loaded by Christmas Eve! (9) |
| PUDGINESS | Plump condition caused by Christmas treat and drinks around rest centre (9) |
| ISLANDERS | Hockey squad is absorbing bad word of mouth? (9) |
| BALTICSEA | Somehow a cable is absorbing temperature in marine environment |
| TRILLIONS | Bird call is absorbing on lots (9) |
| INTAKE | Group of new students that is absorbing Kant in translation |
| SUNDRESS | Summer garment in miscellanea I discarded by Christmas, finally |
| DYADS | Couples fired up by Christmas Day dalliance (5) |
| STARTREK | Old US space sci-fi series - sounds like quest by Christmas Wise Men (4,4) |
| SCROOGE | One troubled by Christmas present, past and future work of 8Dn (7) |
| IMAGE | Photograph in short periodical that is absorbing |
| SYMPHONIST | Soda-server is absorbing Mahler's First and Tchaikovsky's (or one of their ilk) (10) |
| MARCHIONESS | Moving protest is absorbing one's noble wife, perhaps |
| SODALIME | Almost nothing that is absorbing moisture, initially, drying mixture (4,4) |
| CONTENTIOUSNESS | Disputable nature of material is absorbing old university head |
