Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS

6 Christmas favourite thing: tinsel for decorating (6, 5) 9 Cured gambler (6)

10 Drunk is gifted postprandial drink (8)

11 Yank featuring in one ripping tale that’s emotional (4-6)

14 Christmas book, middle torn out (4)

15 Seasonal good wishes, remarks inspiring leaders in pretty lacklustre institution (11)

21 Somewhat disliked, a mean pantomime character (4)

22 Collapse of art trade we just survive (5, 5)

25 Duck and orange (8)

27 Failure, Christmas dinner (6) 28 Mad on Christmas, those likely to enjoy the Queen’s Speech? (11)

DOWN

Wallet ultimately secreted by 1 Scrooge — that’s what you’d call him (6)

2 Order always coming up after Christmas time (6)

3 Fastener securing tree unfortunately damaged, initially (4)

4 Hang about, that is for stockings, say? (8)

5 Tree trunk supporter (8)

7 Set up bar for party (5) 8 Rudolph’s partner, foxy lady? (5)

12 Troublesome situation, awful traffic (3)

13 Carver with some beef in kitchen to be served up (5)

16 Done with poor reforms, such a welcoming policy (4-4)

17 Pantomime horse’s rear in difficult part, writer has admitted (5, 3)

18 Certainly not getting wife present! (3)

19 Devil, Santa in disguise! (5)

20 Originally serene and smooth, number of swans a-swimming (5)

23 Particular Christmas film seen in Irish house (6)

24 Make effervescent putting article on a tree that’s shimmering (6)

26 Arrest Christmas saint? (4)