SANTA

1881 illustration by Thomas Nast who, with Clement Clarke Moore, helped to create the modern image of Santa Claus 

------------------

Santa, Puzzle by Fred Piscop, edited by Will Shortz

If you subscribe to The New York Times on-line Premium Crosswords, you are probably familiar with the monthly bonus puzzle. For December, the title of this month’s merry crossword is "Santa" and features Santa in approximately 30 clues.

Across: 1. Santa’s gift to a naughty child; 15. Missile detection org. that “tracks” Santa; 20. Italian tenor who sang “Santa Lucia”; 23. Fred who narrated “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”; 28. Santa BARBARA (California city with a Riviera); 32. Site of the wreck of the Santa Maria; 36. Santa helper; 41. Zadora, whose first movie was “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”; 42. “OLIVE, the Other Reindeer” (1999 animated TV movie); 43. “I Saw MOMMY Kissing Santa Claus”; 44. Santa Claus, INDIANA 47579; 48. Niña or Pinta, but not Santa Maria; 63. Tim of “The Santa Clause”; 64. Schmutz on Santa’s suit; 65. “Here Comes Santa Claus” singer Autry.

Down: 1. Santa CLARA (Intel headquarters city); 3. How Santa’s sleigh goes on December 24; 4. Department store Santa visitor’s perch; 7. New Mexico town on the Santa Fe Trail; 8. Santa ANA winds; 9. “On the Atchison, TOPEKA and the Santa Fe”; 14. Part of a Santa suit; 39. Santa Anna siege site; 40. Santa ROSA (Sonoma County seat); 45. Member of Santa’s team; 48. Cristóbal COLON (Santa Maria’s captain, to Isabella); 49. One of Santa’s team; 50. Ecuador’s Santa ELENA Bay; 53. Santa’s time of year; 54. “ … and to ALL A good night” (parting words from Santa).

You better watch out,

You better not cry,

Better not pout,

I'm telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He's making a list,

And checking it twice;

Gonna find out

Who's naughty and nice.

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping.

He knows when you're awake.

He knows if you've been bad or good,

So be good for goodness sake!

Oh, you better watch out!

You better not cry.

Better not pout,

I'm telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games.

If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery.