Every year around this time, journalists' mailboxes fill up with crisp white envelopes full of cards heralding the holidays and New Year.

Most are somewhat flimsy and feature a pretty and usually frosty picture of the Parliament buildings with a black and white photo of the MP's family inside.

This year, Government House Leader Peter Van Loan was the first MP to get cards out to members of the Parliamentary Press gallery. He signed all of them with a red "Z", like Zorro.

Liberal leader Stephane Dion's card arrived today. On the front is a professional photo of Dion and his family. Daughter Jeanne is seated on the floor, wife Janine is in a relaxed pose on a chair and while Dion is also seated, he's leaning forward to pet the family dog, Kyoto.

It's a really nice photo but once again, Dion looks very serious. Everyone else in the photo is smiling — even the dog — no kidding.

Inside, are the signatures of all three, as well as Kyoto's inky paw print.