Harry Patel, from Ealing, asks: “Next year I would like to follow the tradition of sending Christmas cards. To whom should I send them?”

Christmas cards are not obligatory, but they are a quaint ornament of the season, and can be a reminder of the religious reason for the festival. But these few precepts in thy memory/ Look thou character. (1) It is not necessary to enter into a card race with colleagues and family whom you see every day. (2) Go for charity cards. (3) If you must enclose a round-robin circular report, keep it modest, not swanking about little Molly’s success in her violin lessons. PH

David Agress, California: “You don’t HAVE to send Christmas cards to anyone — especially now that your partner Jacob Marley’s gone. Just keep Bob Cratchit late on Christmas Eve, then take to your bed, and wait for the whine of ghosts and clank of the chains Marley forged in life.”

William Schirmer, Sunbury on Thames: “Me.”

Ann Paterson, Aberdeen: “Make a list of those who sent you cards this Christmas. Cross off those whom you meet every day of the week.”

Readers are invited to send their responses to this week’s question by January 4. Email etiket@thetimes.co.uk

A selection will be printed in a fortnight.

Readers are invited to send their responses to this week’s question by January 12. A selection will be printed in a fortnight.

What advice do you have for those of us who want to embark on a diet?

Bill W., Marylebone