The impact of the recession has prompted many to return to the make do and mend era.

Making do with what you have already isn’t just saving you money it’s recycling so there is an eco-consciousness too.

Growing up in a household with older generations, Roberta Balmforth cottoned on quickly to the make-do-and-mend ethos.

“I was brought up in a household where things were re-used,” she says.

The retired primary teacher from Mirfield is now satisfying a new generation of make-do-and-menders through the workshops she runs throughout Yorkshire.

Showing groups how to create corsages and bags from old jeans is one of her popular workshops. Not only does it give visitors the opportunity to get creative, it also gives them the opportunity to learn how to create things for themselves, or handmade gifts for others, and save money while doing so.

The internet has dramatically changed the way we shop. Today you can source almost anything at the touch of a button on your computer keyboard – or mobile phone.

Having access to such a vast marketplace has forced companies to become more competitive in terms of the deals they offer to entice customers to buy from them.

“There weren’t the things to buy. If you didn’t make it, you didn’t have it, whereas today you can go out and buy everything so it is a lot different. The mindset is different but I found a combination of using your creativity and recycling material," explains Roberta.

Recycling in this way, as Roberta and her fellow craft enthusiasts are demonstrating, can save you money too.

Buying gifts for family and friends throughout the year can become extremely expensive, particularly if you come from a large family but making your own can save you money.

There is also something heartfelt about making and receiving a hand-made gift.

While embellishments can cost to adorn the finished item, re-using material such as a pair of jeans is an instant saving on the initial outlay you would normally have on materials.

“With a pair of jeans you can make Christmas presents for all your girl friends. You can make a bag at least and a corsage and a hanging heart,” says Roberta.

The only other outlay is your time but for craft enthusiasts like Roberta creating is a pleasurable pastime anyway.

“It’s enjoyable, it’s creative and you get a lot of satisfaction from it and it doesn’t cost you anything,” says Roberta, who is proving how being thrifty can be so much fun.