Writeto reply

I laughed when reading about your quest to find the ideal advent calendar for The Dark Lord. Let me just say that I am now 63 and have never grown out of having one – as the saying goes: “Growing old is compulsory, growing up isn’t!”

The only problem I have is finding the type we had as kids of villages covered in snow and glitter. Modern chocolate ones have no charm! Happily I managed to get one this year online.

D Richens, Anerley, South East London

Ed: Years ago, my mum sent an old-fashioned calendar with doors that were probably opened first in 1970. I still get it out every year, and try to be surprised by what’s behind the doors!

I would like to say that you are never too old to buy advent calendars or receive them. My son is 45 and my grandsons are 16, 17 and 18. Christmas wouldn’t be the same for them without calendars.

‘A Daily Mirror Reader’ from

Lytham St Annes, Lancs

It’s all very well getting a kitten for The Dark Lord to terrorise but have you asked Boris what he thinks? The change in living arrangements, not to mention the pecking order, might put his pug nose out of joint, so be prepared for unwelcome presents around the house!

Terry Wright, Derby

Ed: Fear not, Terry, Boris is top dog round here. It’s The Dark Lord leaving deposits that I worry about.

I have six cats now, all rescue animals. So be warned, if you get a kitten, Xmas decorations will be a thing of the past.

Colin Whitaker, Bradford

Ed: You’ve reminded me of 20 years ago when I had two kittens, Colin and Rosie. I left them overnight at Christmas when they were a year old to go to London. I got back to find they’d killed a pigeon and managed to fling it into the tree. Like a

partridge in a pear tree, but less festive.