Each day during Advent we'll post a new clue on our home page (here). The first letter of each answer is a different letter of the alphabet - in ascending order - and each of the clues lead to a Christmas-related answer.
1st
Advent
Clue: Promotion before opening in pre-Christmas season
A promotion is an 'ad(vertisement)'; + 'vent' = opening. Advent is the time leading up to Christmas
A promotion is an 'ad(vertisement)'; + 'vent' = opening. Advent is the time leading up to Christmas
2nd
Brussels sprouts
Clue: Vegetables which Belgian capital shoots
Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Shoots 'sprout' from plants. And yes, officially the vegetable is a 'Brussels sprout', not a 'Brussel sprout'. You'll find it on many Christmas dinner plates
Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Shoots 'sprout' from plants. And yes, officially the vegetable is a 'Brussels sprout', not a 'Brussel sprout'. You'll find it on many Christmas dinner plates
3rd
Chimney
Clue: My niche, tidied up, creates an access channel for presents?
'Chimney' is an anagram (a 'tidied up' version) of 'my niche'. Santa, of course, traditionally comes down the chimney
'Chimney' is an anagram (a 'tidied up' version) of 'my niche'. Santa, of course, traditionally comes down the chimney
4th
Decorations
Clue: Are this month's speeches hung up?
Decorations are an integral part of the Christmas season - yours may not be up yet, but shops, streets and other public places are full of them!
Decorations are an integral part of the Christmas season - yours may not be up yet, but shops, streets and other public places are full of them!
5th
Elves
Clue: Santa's helpers are in to be seen in steel vests
The word 'elves' is hidden in the words 'steEL VESts'; Santa's helpers are elves - in fact, he is often said to be one himself
The word 'elves' is hidden in the words 'steEL VESts'; Santa's helpers are elves - in fact, he is often said to be one himself
6th
Frost
Clue: Following rime, other snowy types start like this frozen dew
Frost (depicted on many Christmas cards) comes in various types, including 'rime', 'hoar' (now called 'radiation') and 'advection' frost. Sometimes it looks like 'snow'; sometimes it's effectively frozen dew. The word is made up of the first letters of the first five words of the clue!
Frost (depicted on many Christmas cards) comes in various types, including 'rime', 'hoar' (now called 'radiation') and 'advection' frost. Sometimes it looks like 'snow'; sometimes it's effectively frozen dew. The word is made up of the first letters of the first five words of the clue!
7th
Gabriel
Clue: Could grail be resolved for this angelic visitor?
Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to tell her that she was to have a baby; Gabriel is an anagram of 'be grail'
Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary to tell her that she was to have a baby; Gabriel is an anagram of 'be grail'
8th
Home Alone
Clue: In with no one else? That's the stuff of movies!
'Home Alone' is an iconic 1990 Christmas movie (set at Christmas, rather than dealing with a Christmas theme). 'In' means '(at) home'; if no else is there you're 'alone'
'Home Alone' is an iconic 1990 Christmas movie (set at Christmas, rather than dealing with a Christmas theme). 'In' means '(at) home'; if no else is there you're 'alone'
9th
Ice skating
Clue: Olympic sport which, when it's dodgy, can involve runner on thinly frozen water
Ice skating is a Winter Olympic sport, of course - one of the Blue Riband events. If your 'skating on thin ice' you might be behaving in a dodgy manner; ice skates have runners and ice is, of course, frozen water
Ice skating is a Winter Olympic sport, of course - one of the Blue Riband events. If your 'skating on thin ice' you might be behaving in a dodgy manner; ice skates have runners and ice is, of course, frozen water
10th
We will reveal today's answer tomorrow. If you haven't worked it out yet, why not do so now by visiting our home page?
11th
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12th
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13th
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14th
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15th
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16th
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17th
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18th
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19th
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20th
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21st
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22nd
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23rd
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24th
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25th
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