By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray from the pure path beware the scourge of... ...Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 24 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider giving a hint as to letters when the question is set, unless the answer is relatively short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you are encouraged to start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever successfully solves each clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation Championship Belt ===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected,
not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of Christmas fun!

The Antipodean Marsupial will shortly be placing his offering under the tree...

Thanks Denis/Lex...

Uninhibited star drank shaken container of beer (7)

Tankard

ta = star with ends removed (uninhibited) + anag "drank".

You're a star Rog...Over to you...

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Koala

Handout posted in advance (7)

present

direct is handout=present
advance=pre
posted=sent

Indeedy, manxman! (I'd intended "posted in advance" = "pre-sent" )

Wrapped in tinsel for your enjoyment: §§§===[**WCF**]===§§§

Thank you UW

F Field and B Silver in run-down hotel (7)

fleabag

field - lea
silver - Ag
F+ lea + B + Ag
run-down hotel - direct

Here you are...===[**WCF**]===
Hope you don't mind the fleas on it

Thanks manxman!

Inmate pursuit leads to capture (8)

con quest

I can't con you, Denis. Seems you've captured the belt so here you go. ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Monsieur LeStick!

Well, seems Lex not around, so I'll use the one
I had for him:
Sterilized decoration: Jingle Bells edition (6,6)

boiled tinsel (anag. of bells edition)

So here's our tinseled belt edition: ===[&&WCF&&]===

Thank you, sir!

Fold note inside container (6)

Crease - "re" in "case"

Here you go, Rog. I left the tinsel on just for you! ===[&&WCF&&]===

It looks terrific, Cheryl!

Wayward he-man in Toronto is bad news for seasonal pair (2,4,2,3,3)

No room at the inn (Anagram of He-man in Toronto) - The seasonal couple no doubt being Mary and Joseph.

Fitting you should get that one, shroeder!

Winging its way to the North Island... ===[&&WCF&&]===

Thanks Mr Worrier.

It arrived with some tinsel damage so I've replaced that with flowers from the New Zealand Christmas Tree (The Pohutakawa)

===[@@WCF@@]===

Keeping with the Christmas theme...

Counter of heads exalted us (8)

OK.... Clue time.

The direct is at the start and it relates directly to the Christmas story

I seem to remember that Herod used a census as a way of checking male children in his hunt for Jesus, but that is as far as I can get...