| 100% | SANDCASTLE | 10 | *Snowman alternative for Christmas in July ... and a structure one might build during a visit to the beach |
| 65% | KAYAK | 5 | *Sled alternative for Christmas in July ... and a watercraft one might use to travel the rapids |
| 59% | JET | 3 | *___ ski, sleigh alternative for Christmas in July ... and a watercraft one may use to travel on a lake |
| 58% | WATER | 5 | *___ balloon fight, snowball fight alternative for Christmas in July ... and a game one might play with friends in the backyard |
| 51% | PUNCH | 5 | *Coconut ___, eggnog alternative for Christmas in July ... and an oft-spiked drink one might have at a party |
| 41% | HUNT | 4 | *Treasure ___, gift pile alternative for Christmas in July ... and a game often played at camp |
| 37% | TRIMTHETREE | 11 | Decorate for Christmas, in a way, and how to make sense of the answer to each starred clue? |
| 33% | ROLL | 4 | "Rock and ___," song by Led Zeppelin or what you might do to shape snow into the perfect base for a snowman |
| 33% | ASS | 3 | One may be packed for a trip to the mountains |
| 32% | DETECTOR | 8 | You might use one to comb the beach for metal |
| 31% | BEARDGROWTH | 11 | Why one might have to shave, and a hint to the circled letters |
| 31% | TREE | 4 | Christmas ___, object under which one hides presents, and a tradition that originated in the Renaissance era |
| 31% | SEASONS | 7 | Part one of a way to wish loved ones during Christmas and New Years |
| 31% | GREETINGS | 9 | Part two of a way to wish loved ones during Christmas and New Years |
| 31% | FLIESSOUTH | 10 | Migrates for the winter, and a hint to the shift in the starred answers |
| 31% | HOTANDCOLD | 10 | How emotions may blow, and a hint to the switches in the theme answers |
| 31% | COUNTDOWN | 9 | What might end the year, and a hint to five answers in this puzzle |
| 31% | FISHLADDER | 10 | Structure that creates a path for upstream migration, and a hint to hidden words in four long Down answers |
| 31% | HERO | 4 | *Person who saves the day... and a word you may use to describe those being celebrated in this puzzle |
| 31% | NEONDEION | 9 | Nickname for the only man to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series |
| 31% | BALDRIC | 7 | Belt for a sword worn over one shoulder and reaching down to the opposite hip |
| 31% | MILAZZO | 7 | City in Messina, Sicily; a departure point for ferries to the Aeolian Islands and Naples |
| 30% | CHICKENTENDER | 13 | Money for a visit to the Colonel? |
| 30% | PAGETURNER | 10 | You may not need a bookmark for one ... and a hint to this puzzle's circles |
| 30% | BULLET | 6 | Bit of ammo that one might want to "dodge" and has a "bull" in its name |
| 30% | MIA | 3 | "Go for the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life" author Hamm |
| 30% | STAMPS | 6 | Christmas postage ___, issued in many countries for mailing cards and presents, and a tradition that originated in the 1900s |
| 30% | EDGEWISE | 8 | One way to get a word in ... and an aural hint to a feature of the starred clues' answers |
| 30% | INN | 3 | "The Three Broomsticks" in Hogsmeade is a popular one to Hogwarts students and staff |
| 30% | FLEAS | 5 | Pests that may prompt a visit to the vet |