Here are the answers. Further down, the 'restored' sentences are listed.

Across

4 angst

5 emus

8 devote

9 Nissan

13 eggnog

14 sable

15 onrush

16 amen

Down

1 rave

2 igloos

3 stye

6 merge

7 shun

8 dingo

10 strum

11 arson

12 zap

13 elf

Here are the restored sentences:

Across

4 Kids hANG STockings on Christmas Eve.

5 If he gets out of linE MUSk will be told 'You're fired!'

8 What on Earth maDE VOTErs elect Trump?

9 An elf once told me that giN IS SANta's favourite tipple

13 Sorry, GrEGG NO Gift from the DG this Xmas  [Yes, he does spell his name like that]

14 He haS A BLEnded scotch, while she prefers a single malt

15 Who'd work at AmazON RUSHing from door to door all day long?

16 A pantomime dAME Needs lots of makup and big hair

Down

1 Cooking foR A VEgan on Xmas Day? Try a cheestnut roast

2 You wanna look like Santa, you wanna bIG LOOSe costume!

3 2024 the beST YEar ever? Only for Syrians, maybe

6 Change? Plan for change? Come on, StarMER GEton with it!

7 Happy XmaS HUNter, papa Joe  [Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father Joe a couple of weeks before Christmas]

8 Crazy weather – it's either flooDING Or wildfires!

10 Who's this bad asS TRUMp's appointed as Health supremo?

11 Will Elon fly to MARS? ONe hopes so!

12 In GaZA Pleas for a ceasefire still go unheard, a year on.

13 Would you buy a used car from NigEL Farage? Nor me.