Please don’t believe all you read about zombie parliaments and under-employed MPs perfecting their online gaming skills.

I have never been busier and most of my colleagues appear to be flat out too – campaigning in their constituencies, speaking in the Commons, organising meetings and writing to me about their railways.

We all choose how to spend our time in different ways, but one thing seems to unite all parliamentarians at this time of year – the annual rite of the Christmas card. Every day, people sit in the House Library, working through huge stacks of cards, writing personal messages, stuffing and sticking. Designs vary, but popular themes are traditional nativity scenes, Wesminster in the snow and family groups in elf hats.

I love this year’s card from the Prime Minister and Mrs Cameron showing them with Chelsea Pensioners and if I had the honour of being photographed with a group of such venerable soldiers I would be tempted to use the picture too, but I usually ask local children for help in designing my cards.

In previous years, I have used wonderful images like parachuting Santas on Salisbury Plain to celebrate the season. My all-time favourite, which could only have been drawn by a child living in this constituency was the ‘Father Christmas being run over by a tank’ picture but we deemed it a little too blood- thirsty.

Which brings me to this year where I have decided to do something different. I personally pay for the production and postage of my cards and this adds up to a reasonable sum as my mailing list runs into the hundreds.

This year I have decided to pass on my festive greetings in digital form as a locally designed e-card and split the money saved between two wonderful local causes; the new Prospect Hospice Outpatient Centre coming to Savernake Hospital and the Devizes and District Opportunity Centre which provides such help and support for local children.

Many people will therefore receive a card in this form but there are still a few people for whom email seems inappropriate and so I have ordered some ‘hard copy’ cards too, also supporting the hospice with their purchase. I know I am sitting on the fence and making a change like this is bound to offend a few, so please let me apologise in advance if you get the wrong sort of card.

Hopefully, the fact that two great local charities are benefiting will soothe any ruffled feathers.