MPs going all out with their choice of Christmas cards

From Parliament in the snow to a platform for displaying the talents of budding young artists, MPs have to choose their Christmas cards wisely.

Party leaders like to show themselves as family men. David Cameron and wife Samantha added a touch of patriotism with a picture from the Royal Wedding while Ed Miliband chose a black and white family portrait.

The Prime Minister sent 1,410 last year, so the Christmas card is an important choice as it has to display the right mix of political gravitas with the relaxed hand of friendship and goodwill of the time of year.

It is a difficult balance. An ostentacious image does not really set the right tone after the expenses scandal and might well appear pompous. But they cannot risk being accused of not making an effort to reach out to supporters at Christmas time.

Chris Kelly, Tory MP for Dudley South, is quick to stamp out any concern people might have about MPs wasting money by spreading seasons greetings. "These cards have not been paid for by the taxpayer", it says on the back of a card sporting an image of a snowman wearing a Conservative blue rosette.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson held a competition at Brewood Middle School for youngsters to design his Christmas card.

He picked the one created by 12-year-old pupil Olivia Brookes, whose picture shows Father Christmas and Rudolph in front of the Houses of Parliament in the snow. Four other youngsters' pictures also appear.

Mr Williamson delivered the card to Number 10, Downing Street personally.

Wolverhampton South West MP Paul Uppal has picked a shot of St Peter's Church in the city centre.

Ian Austin, the Dudley North MP, chose a picture by eight-year-old Lucy Harris of Milking Bank Primary School as the front of his card. It shows Father Christmas flying over Dudley Castle.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton North East's Emma Reynolds and David Winnick of Walsall North have opted for the same design as each other this year – a traditional shot of the Houses of Parliament in the snow.

Mr Winnick said: "It is one of the three House of Commons Christmas cards available this year and a portion of sales go to the Speaker's Art Fund."

Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz has gone for another of the official cards, showing the image of an angel with a violin that adorns the ceiling of the chapel of St Mary Undercroft at the Palace of Westminster.

Stafford's Jeremy Lefroy has pushed the boat out with three different designs supporting two charities.

The first is a winter scene of St Mary's Church in Stafford and the second shows the nativity scene from the Lady Chapel South Window at St Mary's Church. The third card is produced in support of Katharine House Hospice and the scene, entitled Westward Journey, showing a traditional nativity scene.