THEME: There is probably a theme here, but I couldn't spot it in two or three minutes, so I lost interest.
GOOD ONES: Star witnesses? MAGI [particularly fond of this one]
Rod in a hot rod AXLE [I thought piston at first]
Money mgrs.? EDS [editors of the magazine]
BTW: Smudge BLUR [I had BLOT, and mine's better]
Driving with abandon JOY RIDING [JOY RIDING is just motoring for the fun of it; driving with abandon suggests dangerous maneuvering and/or speeding]
Sleigh ride song NOEL [Noels tend to be those Christmas songs which are religious in nature; sleigh ride songs ("Sleigh Ride," e.g.) are simply winter airs.]
RATING:

Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun