CCCWC Christmas Special competition voters’ comments

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A clue to A Christmas List (Anagram).
51 comments were received for this competition (from 10 competitors, 2 others)
Move your mouse pointer over any bold clue number to see the clue.

Here is the text

Comments on the competition
1.
Had no way of trying to guess John's clue, but could try and eliminate those I felt would not be his, and from the balance I just did a lucky dip! The result and my entry for the guess for John's clue is 22
2.
I love 2,3,17 and 19 I believe John's entry is 2
3.
I'd say John wrote clue 5.
4.
The best lists are the ones that skip through the required items, and then add a witty novelty gift.
5.
Only a few clues seem to include all the required elements (one of them mine and I am not convinced by most of the others)— i.e. there is a distinct absence of specified non-alcoholic drinks! Ergo 5 points to 37 — which I predict is John's own entry! — and I look forward to seeing John and Robert in drag. Nothing to the rest(bah humbug!).
6.
I'm guessing no 17 is John's clue.
7.
How do you judge a competition like this, when normal cluing criteria hardly apply? Plausible and natural-sounding surface perhaps? But maybe a zanier surface would be just as appropriate here. However, it might be a little easier to contrive, so I have rated the entries I think sound more natural slightly higher. I make 18 the winner, then 11, then 12, with 16 and 35 joint fourth. Merits to 22 and 37. I THINK JOHN TOZER'S CLUE IS NUMBER 16.
8.
My guess is that John is responsible for entry 22, which was also my favourite set of gifts
9.
Both a different and entertaining challenge this month, not least to judge, given the number of different word combinations this anagram produced. For want of any better criterion, I gave my votes to the entries which provided a list of presents more plausibly in keeping with two male recipients.

Comments on the clues

1. absinthe, prime stilton, night socks (R), jazz records

1.	Such a shame about that extra R.
2.	Shame about the R!
3.	Excellent but for the right foot sock.

2. BEER, GIN, MINTS, SHIRT, SOCKS, TORCH, RADIO, NETS, JAZZ LP

1.	A credible list, despite the (fishing) nets.

3. BLAZER, CHORIZO, GIN, JOSS STICK, PRINTER STAND, METHS

1.	Meths for Christmas?

5. Chintz shirts, cardigans, broken pretzels, mojitos

1.	Good set of gifts – shame about the condition of the pretzels!
2.	I like that this clue does not resort to any short words or abbreviations. Very clean.

8. Drizzle cake, Pastis, 'BoJo (No. Ten's Mr Grinch)' T-shirts

1.	Good set of prezzies including topical shirts!

9. EastEnders, Scotch, Gin, Pizza, Kilts, Mirth, No Jobs, R’R

1.	How could "Eastenders" be a gift?

12. GIN,TONIC,JAM,ROCK,BLAZERS,HIPSTERS,DOZEN T-SHIRTS

1.	Being picky, the 'dozen' stands out when the quantity of other plurals in the list is not specified

13. Herbs on pizza, jam, gin, Noel shirt, Corrs CD, test kits

1.	At least the test kits mean Robert and John can get out of the house when the Corrs CDs are on

16. Jazz CD, retro hot pants (Boss), lingerie, kirsch, mints

1.	We need to see the pictures!
2.	Nice prezzies – I’m sure Robert and John were delighted to receive the hot pants and lingerie!
3.	With a little re-ordering, the brackets would not be needed.

17. Jazz CDs, Gin, Brie, Scones, Kilt, T Shirt, Apron, Thermos

1.	Good, but slightly behind the other clue beginning with "Jazz CD"
2.	A very credible list of practical items makes it the winner for me. Is this John T's clue?

18. Jeans, T-shirt, Lobster, Pizza, Scotch, Gin, More drinks.

1.	Pretty much the perfect list!
2.	I liked this, but pizza does not quite qualify as a gift
3.	The emphasis on drinks made me smile.

19. KIRSCH, BITTER, SINGLET, HAM, JAZZ RECORD, TINS, SPOONS

1.	Practical items but the tins and spoons are not very exciting presents.

20. Lobster/rocket panini, gin, shirts, jazz CDs, thermos.

1.	I liked this, but a panini does not quite qualify as a gift.

21. Meths, thin drizzle, tripe, string socks, corona jabs

lol

22. Moonshine, Ritz Crackers/Stilton, Bright PJs, Azeds

1.	The Azeds should be right up their street
2.	Very thoughtful set of gifts, particularly for crossword aficionados!
3.	A nod to the thematic content.

23. Moonshine, straight jackets, blinis, zz top CDs, errr…

1.	ZZ Top is a nice change from jazz
2.	Runs out of steam towards the end

24. "NORTH END" GIN SPRITZ, CHORIZO BITS, ARMLESS JACKETS

1.	Rhyming gifts a nice touch

25. Pate, hooch, jazz records, mints, bent girls in skirts

1.	Needlessly smutty
2.	A bit naughty, perhaps … but 5 points

27. pizza, jam, scotch bonnet; rose; dress shirt, kilt, ring

1.	Quite like this clue, but the short words seem to be cheating a little. :)

28. Pretzels in borscht, jedi mask, strong shiraz, tonic

1.	Pretzels, good; borscht, good; pretzels in borscht, not so good!

30. scotch, gin, drinks, booze, pretzels, jam, shirts, train

1.	Nice list, if a bit uninspiring.
2.	'train' (even a toy one) seems a bit out of place in this list.

31. Send: nine T-shirts, hot pork, Bristol Cream, jazz cigs

1.	Jazz cigs?

34. Skol, G’n’T, chips, shirt, a CD (no jazz!), Boris’s retirement

1.	Particularly keen on the final item!
2.	Too many abbreviations and short words for my taste.

35. snazziest red shirt, choicest jam, strong plonk, rib

1.	Excellent until rib let it down at the end

36. Sorts lights, nectar comb, pizza dinner, shirt jokes!

1.	I couldn't make sense of the first two items on the list.

37. SPRITZER, TONIC, SCHNITZEL, DRESS, SKIRT, BOA, MAHJONG

1.	I won't ask what the men will do with their dress, skirt and boa …
2.	I guess this clue to be John’s
3.	I liked this. Perhaps only "boa" is a weakness.