Very few people have a hobby in these times; they'll dismiss the idea by saying that they have work all day so don't have time for hobbies. Little do they realise that adopting a hobby can be a brilliant way to unwind after a hectic day at work; whether your interests lie in knitting patterns or decoration dolls houses, there are a whole host of arts and crafts that you can take up as a hobby.

Knitting is a very soothing hobby to take up, but requires a lot of attention if you want to avoid dropping any stitches. The click, click, click of two knitting needles hitting together reminds me of sitting in my grandmother's living room when I was younger, and I'm sure it conjures up the same images for many people. Knitting patterns can be fun regardless of whether you choose to knit a pair of bootees for a newborn baby in the family or if you want to make a blanket for your children to keep as a sort of family heirloom.

Decorating a dolls house is another way to leave your legacy in the family. If you're expecting a baby girl and find yourself bored on maternity leave, then invest in one of the beautiful dolls houses that are available in many shops across the country. You can choose wall paper to hang inside and the furniture, even the doors and windows you want to make a truly unique house that your daughter can play with for years, and will no doubt want to save to give it to her daughter.

Scrap booking is a fantastic way to preserve your memories in a fun way. Personally, I have a box at home that I keep meaningful things in it such as photographs and ticket stubs from concerts and I plan to move these into a scrap book. You can customise each page of your book in a fun way that relates to the memories on that page. If you've still got letters from friends and first loves, then it's always fun to glue those into the book so when you flick through it, you can remember all the different memories that make you who you are.

Many people now only paint as a way of decorating a room, but creating your own work of art is a brilliant way to relax. Your work may not instantly be up to Moet and Van Gough standards, but with practice you will get better at what you're doing. Hobbies are something that seem to be becoming as out of fashion a crinoline skirts and handlebar moustaches, but if people realise they can relax this way then they are an alternative way to spend time other than watching television.