We’ve got all sorts of crossword-related news, updates, and stories for you today! Buckle up, and let’s talk xwds!
The Globe and Mail’s Annual Giant Holiday Crossword
Every year, constructor Fraser Simpson creates a giant holiday crossword for Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail. He has been doing so since 2003, so for many Canadian crossword and cryptic fans, this is a decades-long holiday tradition!
Not only is it enormous, but it’s visually striking, as he uses a cryptic-style grid, but American-style crossword cluing.
With 628 clues and entries, this puzzly behemoth will no doubt tax even the hardiest crossword enthusiasts!
And The Globe and Mail is offering a behind-the-scenes look at their constructing process, including an introduction to cluing styles for new solvers!
While it won’t be anything new to crossword enthusiasts or established constructors, it’s still cool that they’re willing to pull back the curtain on one of their biggest promotions of the year. Demystifying crosswords just means more people get to enjoy the puzzles we love so much. And that’s a very good thing.
ACPT, Boswords Winter Wondersolve, and Puzzmo’s Open Submission Week
Just a quick reminder of all the puzzly opportunities awaiting you at the end of this year and the start of 2026!
#1: Puzzmo is holding their next Crossword Open Submission Week from December 29th to January 5th, 2026, with new and established constructors all welcome to submit their puzzly creations.
Themed and themeless puzzles are welcome, as long as they fit Puzzmo’s specs, and the Puzzmo team has created an impressively thorough document to assist aspiring constructors with their efforts. Grid specs, examples of previously published puzzles, and more await anyone hoping to see their work pop up on Puzzmo.
#2: Registration for the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament opens on January 1st for former contestants and on January 8th for rookies!
With the tournament changing venues for the 2027 tournament, this is the last time to experience the ACPT in Stamford’s familiar locale.
#3: The Boswords Winter Wondersolve is coming Sunday afternoon, February 1st (and registration opens Friday, January 2nd)!
This online only, four-puzzle tournament (3 themed puzzles and 1 themeless) kicks off another year of puzzly events from the Boswords team, and there’s plenty to enjoy.
They’ve already announced the team of constructors lined up for this year’s Winter Wondersolve: Adam Aaronson, Wendy L. Brandes, Pao Roy, and the team of Amanda Rafkin & Amie Walker!
Boswords never disappoints, so be sure to sign up early for this one!
Crossword Compatibility
Please allow me to wrap up this crossword-centric post with a fun story I spotted on Reddit.
Making a crossword for your partner is a wonderful gift, and I’m sure the significant others of many puzzlers have either commissioned a special crossword or taken the leap and constructed one themselves!
So it was delightful to read a story where BOTH partners had the same idea.
Yup, each of them had constructed a crossword for the other in secret, revealing their linguistic efforts at the same time.
How can you not love a story like that?
Even better is the top comment on Reddit, where this anecdote first appeared: “Your shared disregard for symmetry tells me you were meant for each other.”
Clearly it’s a match made in puzzle heaven.
What are you looking forward to in the world of puzzles for 2026, fellow solvers? Let us know in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from you.
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