December 25, 2025

Title: O TANNENBAUM

Constructor: Kate Hawkins

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• RISING STAR (18A: Person who's rapidly gaining popularity)
• JUDY GARLAND (38A: "Meet Me in St. Louis" actor)
• RING LIGHTS (60A: Beauty vloggers' shadow-reducing gear)

O TANNENBAUM: The last word of each theme answer is a decoration you might find on a Christmas tree: STAR, GARLAND, and LIGHTS.

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• JAM BANDS (38D: Phish and Goose, e.g.) JAM BANDS are musical groups whose concerts feature improvisation, or "jamming." Although I'd heard of the BAND Phish, I'm not familiar with their music. The BAND Goose is new to me.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• CAPE (10A: Part of a Super Grover costume) This clue made me happy. Grover is one of my favorite Sesame Street Muppets. Super Grover is Grover's (well-meaning but inept) superhero identity. Fun fact: Originally Super Grover's CAPE was pink, but since 2010 his CAPE has been red.
• TALC (14A: Mineral no longer used in baby powder) Companies stopped selling baby powder containing TALC due to health concerns. Of particular concern is the risk of asbestos contamination that may occur during the mining process.
• ETTA (17A: "At Last" singer James) ETTA James (1938-2012) was a Grammy-Award-winning singer whose music encompassed the genres of R&B, gospel, blues, jazz, soul, and rock and roll. She recorded "At Last" in 1960 as the title track for her debut album.
• NURSE (23A: Dana Evans on "The Pitt," e.g.) The Pitt is a TV series that premiered in January of this year. Set in the ER of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, the entire season of the show covers one 15-hour work shift, with each episode covering approximately one hour. Dana Evans is a charge NURSE portrayed by Katherine LaNasa.
• WHOSE (32A: "___ Line Is It Anyway?") WHOSE Line Is It Anyway? was an improv comedy show hosted by Drew Carey from 1998-2007 and Aisha Tyler from 2013-2024. The American TV series was an adaptation of a BBC series of the same name.
• JUDY GARLAND (38A: "Meet Me in St. Louis" actor) Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 Christmas musical movie starring JUDY GARLAND. One of the songs JUDY GARLAND sings in the movie is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
• ERMA (45A: "Piece of My Heart" singer Franklin) ERMA Franklin recorded "Piece of My Heart" in 1967. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The winner of the category that year was ERMA Franklin's sister, Aretha Franklin, for "Chain of Fools." 
• BAT (48A: Halloween costume for a black cat, maybe) and CAT DOOR (58A: Entryway that might have a microchip sensor) My CAT, Willow, is considering it a Christmas present to her that, for the second day in a row, there are two CAT-related clues in the puzzle. There are three if you count IMITATOR (8D: Copycat). Enjoy this Christmas photo of Willow taken last year.

• FAMILY (56A: "We are ___ / I've got all my sisters with me") All together now: "We are FAMILY / I've got all my sisters with me / We are FAMILY / Get up everybody and sing..." Sister Sledge released "We Are FAMILY" in 1979, and it became their signature song.
• PERIL (64A: This! Is! Jeopardy!) An exclamation point in a clue is a hint to solvers to interpret the clue literally. Not one but three exclamation points here, a nod to the introduction of the game show Jeopardy! and a warning to take this PERIL seriously!
• STERNO (1D: Caterer's fuel) STERNO is a brand of fuel that is designed to be burned directly in the can it comes in. STERNO is used by campers as a portable fuel source for cooking. STERNO is also used by caterers underneath serving dishes on buffets, to keep food warm. A seven-ounce can of STERNO will burn for up to two hours.
• ALTARS (3D: Ofrendas, e.g.) Ofrendas are ALTARS created to honor people who have died. Creating ofrendas is a traditional way to celebrate the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1 and 2.
• ASTEROID (11D: Thing destroyed in a 1979 Atari arcade classic) Players of the 1979 Atari video game ASTEROIDs control a spaceship flying through an ASTEROID field. The goal is to destroy ASTEROIDs and other spaceships without running into anything.
• USD (27D: Currency in CA) The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the currency in the state of California (CA).
• HANS (33D: ___ Gruber ("Die Hard" antagonist)) Die Hard is a 1988 movie staring Bruce Willis as New York City police detective John McClane. Alan Rickman portrays HANS Gruber, a ruthless leader of a terrorist group. For those who consider Die Hard a Christmas, you may consider this bonus Christmas content today.
• ARCTIC (47D: Region around the North Pole) This is a nice way to clue ARCTIC in a Christmas-themed puzzle.
• ASL (59D: Language common in the U.S. Deaf community) ASL stands for American Sign Language. The abbreviation U.S. in the clue alerts solvers the answer will be an abbreviation.
• HRT (61D: Possible treatment for symptoms of menopause, for short) HRT = hormone replacement therapy)
• A few other notable clues:
• OLDS (63A: The ___ (parents, to a 00s teen))
• DRIPPY (6D: Like a runny candle or nose)
• THREAT (50D: Triple ___ (multitalented person))

Merry Christmas! This puzzle is a nice sequel to "Stocking Stuffers" and "Reindeer Games." "O TANNENBAUM" is a German carol known in English as "O Christmas Tree." (The actual translation is "O fir tree.") Thank you, Kate, for this enjoyable puzzle.