Direct link: https://www.nytimes.com/crosswords/game/daily/2021/12/24

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/23/crosswords/daily-puzzle-2021-12-24.html?smid=url-share

Constructor Notes

I’ve expressed my philosophy about themeless crossword construction, and it holds true for this puzzle: Pack as many interesting, novel entries into a grid as possible without sacrificing fill quality. I strive to construct the sorts of puzzles that I most enjoy solving, and I hope you enjoyed the ride.

Surprisingly, the final across entry is a debut to the New York Times Crossword and even stumped Jeff Chen’s impeccable word list. My proposed clue was: “Setting for gifted children?” Sam’s clue is fantastic as well! I was thrilled that the editors kept my cluing angles for 32-Down and 47-Across.

If you, like me, appreciate the U.S. Postal Service and are still seeking a unique and functional gift, consider the 2022 Postlandia Calendar of Post Offices and Places. Find out more at my blog, Postlandia.