There’s something unsettling about moving into a new place and discovering that your home is literally marking you. I came across a discussion recently about someone who moved into a new apartment only to find their feet, their cat, and everything else turning black from some mysterious substance in their home. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder what other nasties might be lurking in rental properties across Melbourne.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the disconnect between what looks good and what actually works in our daily lives. This whole train of thought started when I stumbled across a discussion about leathered granite countertops, and honestly, it struck a nerve.

Picture this: you move into what seems like a nicely renovated apartment, everything looks modern and expensive, and then you try to actually use your kitchen. What should be a simple task – wiping down the counter after making a sandwich – becomes an exercise in futility. The surface that’s supposed to be the workhorse of your kitchen actively fights against every attempt to keep it clean.

As I sit here in my Melbourne apartment, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the festive season, I find myself pondering the art of gift-giving. We’ve all been there - scrambling for last-minute presents, overspending on unnecessary items, and wondering if our loved ones will truly appreciate the effort. But what if I told you that this year, I’m taking a different approach? A Melbourne Christmas, if you will, where homemade gifts on a budget take center stage.