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The unclued Across lights (Individually or as a pair) are defined by the unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair).   Across   1    Consistent growth, as an unflappable batsman?

The unclued lights (two of two words) are to be linked with one of the clued lights in translation. All resulting phrases, one doubly hyphened, can be confirmed in Chambers or Brewer.   Across   1    Roots out – the meal is ready (7, two words) 6    Hood cleans out, applying pressure (7, two words) 11    Some dark colcothar returned on the hour (6) 12    Out east, they played with girl – and no mistake (7) 16    Move rapidly and tread lightly to start with, when jogging (6) 17    Drink with these trifles! (6) 19    Angry moments … as they are?

Four of the unclued lights (one of two words) and an unclued pair are of a kind, and can become the remaining unclued lights, including a pair.   Across   1    This song of praise would become heathen with a change of note (5) 6    Failure of old skinflint at university (7, hyphened) 11    Catlike print he has developed (10) 17    Tramp’s symbol (7) 18    Tolkien creature at hospital?

The unclued lights are of a kind; the ones Across are one theme, and those Down (one of two words) on another related theme. Solvers must highlight another ‘Down’ theme-word hidden diagonally in the final grid.   Across   1    Patching tatty topper for bed (8) 12    Triumphant delight returning pie to roofless depot (10) 14    Mad sex rejected in country out East (7) 15    Make tactical plans of restoration of great sites (10) 16    Burrowing creature and friends of Mr Toad?

The unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair) are of a kind in short, as are the unclued Across lights (one of two words) all paired. In short together, they reveal the title of this puzzle.   Across   1    Chap on a demo who is on the boundary (8) 10    Exaggerated details from the needlewoman? (12) 11    Homes of housemistresses (5) 16    Thameslink’s reflection of German girl (4) 17    W.G.

Chambers 2014 is certainly not recommended this week theme-wise! But Chambers 2011 is.

The unclued lights (one of three words and two of two words), individually or as a pair, are of a kind.   Across   5    Bit of tiffin is hardly perfect (6) 12    Fail to see active service (5) 13    Waistcoat cloth that’s not in ablutions (8) 16    Beer mug in set cracked (5) 17    Mourns for old sheriffs (7) 18    Additionally suggest Tory memo (7) 20    Civic dignitary, a lord, with topless Berliner, say (8) 26    Extra portion of lamb? Yes!

A first prize of £100, three prizes of £25 and six further prizes of the Chambers Book of Great Speeches (hardback) will be awarded for the first correct solutions opened. The first four prizewinners will, in addition, each receive a bottle of champagne. Entries to: Christmas Crossword, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP by 12 January.   Part 1: CAROL SINGING   The four 13-letter lights in each grid are paired together (always reading from the left-hand grid to the right-hand grid) to yield four quotations from three different Christmas carols and one seasonal song. Each clue is an anagram of its 26-letter solution.

Each unclued light is somehow related to a clued one. Elsewhere, ignore an acute accent.   Across   4    Clone 33 recreating the Crocodile (11, two words) 11    Athlete taking Scottish miser to freemason’s son (9, two words) 13    Danger cut — touching heartless pedestrian (11) 14    Kiss nag (4) 15    Sound of pleasure having rock and heroin (3) 19    Distant mountains with stone (7) 22    Upshot of what is in salt, in France (6) 23    Restrained. Yes!

Two unclued lights describe the location of the others, individually or as a pair. One of these unclued lights does double duty. One square must contain a beetle showing possible alternatives to one of the unclued lights.   Across 11    Tipsy grannie raking it in (7) 12    Skilling worker put sign outside (6, hyphened) 16    Noble cut out mink (5) 19    In bed, off work (7) 21    First half of expedition to Spain is risk-free (4) 23    Continue to rush doctor (7) 24    Land mass is reflected volcanic rock (4) 30    Fan of absolute ruler placing garments in race (7) 32    Prisoner having to give up grant (7) 34    Fish in sloop.