Crossword puzzle clue "famous last words and homophonically a hint to this puzzle's theme"

Famous last words (and homophonically, a hint to this puzzle's theme)

Official start of the Christmas season, according to protesters ... or, homophonically, an explanation of this puzzle's theme

Hint (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)

Pay attention to detail ... and, homophonically, what three pairs of puzzle answers do

Wicked ... and, homophonically, like five long puzzle answers

Puzzle invented by Lewis Carroll (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)

First name of a civil rights activist who would turn 85 today, and whose adopted last name is a hint to this puzzle's theme

Famous place with a hint to this puzzle's theme