CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 With luck, Pa & me will trifle with this Christmas fare (4,4) 5 The Romans were covering response of request to 14, say (6) 9 Senior citizen left on the beach, the Street or the Square for possible Christmas viewing (8) 10 What you will have done to 31, once begun (6) 12 Let muscle relax when Christmas lights are thus (6) 13 Rest head to wind and deceive (3,2) 16 Balsam or apple waft back some pleasant scents (6) 17 I’ll tack round French fortress (8) 20 Christmas herald enters into last gifts of citrus fruits (8) 21 Fantasy place complete with 26, 22/7 (6) 23 You may get them from friends or when fired (5) 25 Mix your first New Year drink (6) 28 Oil ban put in place by Old England (6) 29 Resort of 24s, where most get drunk at grand hotel (2,6) 30 Hopefully you won’t have to return 31 to this supplier (6) 31 Comperes gifts (8)

DOWN

1 Do this early for Christmas _ or after? (4) 2 You are said to be one of 18 in this state (4) 3 Cable: tree put up _ enjoy the season! (9) 4 Asks an alternative setting for wizard Christmas movie (6) 6 Might plane crash going to this country? (5) 7 Ann led wordplay in Alice’s territory (10) 8 Comic relief afforded by Rudolph’s date (3,4,3) 11 Princely way to knock back booze (5) 14 Can USA last out with 31’s provider? (5,5) 15 Could be family news enclosed in Christmas 23 or the bird on the front (5,5) 19 Bass audible for composer of musicals (5) 22 Triumph over their odd Christmas season (6) 24 Where to ski when poles apart (5) 26 Henry II was this in 22 (4) 27 Hybrid beasts from 6 doze alternately, being overweight (4)