I love Christmas, don’t you? I mean, not just the big day, but all the little things leading up to Christmas. You know, like barking your shins in the loft finding the tree, checking the fairy lights and wondering if those funny shaped bulbs are still available…and (on a personal note) sprucing up my wine waiter's jacket in case I'm summoned by Miss MacDonald to one of her Christmas soirées…

Another particular delight for me is the Christmas edition of the TV magazines, with page after page of all those lovely films - It's a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol… (the Alistair Sim version of course!  - I just hate it when they put that musical version on instead!)

"Oh, come on!" I can hear you say, "It's the same old stuff, every year!" - and I daresay you're right…All the same, I never tire of scanning the lists for those little gems so easily overlooked by less assiduous researchers.

I remember, one year in particular, sitting with my cup of tea and my felt tip marker, highlighting a few possibilities, when I became aware of something intriguing about my selections. You see, quite by chance I'd happened to over-score no fewer than - but I digress, and I'm reminded of another of my Christmas, er, delights - preparing a crossword for Miss Susan MacDonald and the PDQ Christmas Annual. Better get on with it I suppose…

Don't worry, you'll find everything you need to know in the puzzle!

1, 11d  Western male gnus roam high in canter back to 11d. (3, 4, 2, 4, 9)
8          Here's the bar! O, snatch me back! (7)
9          Chattering wives' opinions. (5)
10        In the end, wore peach Lycra up front - it could make a come-back! (5)
12        Dressing promiscuous girl? About time! (7)
13        Net and alternatively tulle may chafe. (6)
14        In the styles of the Directoire, lie fancies release! (6)
18        Woolly pair perhaps gain victory in retrograde trial. (4, 3)
20       Penal reform group. (5)
21       Move nimbly in tight roll-on. (5)
22       See 11d, 22a.
24       Might be appropriate afternoon wear to visit far-out cinema (take jet?) (7, 6)

1, 11d    Picture belonging to them at the expense of 11d. (3, 4, 9)
2            Fibbed about showing decline (3)
3            Lay back after our nighties initially wriggled up - a bit like Sarah Ferguson perhaps? (7)
4            Worn perhaps to view brief cinematic offerings. (6)
5            See 11d, 5d.
6, 11d    Dramatic musical transformed into 11d comedy. (9, 9)
7            A small sample of various teats. (5)
11          I act to confuse, following softly exotic being - Woman! (9)
11, 5d   Film11d female…Eve?…right on! (9, 5)
11, 22a 11d arranged a tear in reverse flick. (9, 7)
15          Employ Gloria!? Golly! - Depart in confusion, centres of commerce! (7)
16          Needed to shoot 1a, 11d etc. but melts if stirred. (4, 3)
17          Sounds like a dance movement - plainly Russian! (6)
18          French, and returning in stolen jewellery! (a much respected icon!) (5)
19          Beauty enhancements here perhaps, but in appraisal only. (5)
23         Appropriate? - Well let's hear Susan Macdonald's take on that! (3)

I know that Julie Anne, like an Olympic athlete, has been training for months for this moment. So get out your newly-sharpened Faber pencils, and your biggest dictionary, and off you go!
Susan