THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP

People often ask me how Gift of the Present grew from an idea into a brand.

They expect me to talk about business plans, marketing strategies, or investments.

But the truth is much simpler.

It was built on friendship.

Long before there were clients, milestones, or recognition, there were friends who believed in my dream as though it were their own.

The first visual identity of Gift of the Present came from a dear friend, Eby Philip—an absolute gem in the world of advertising. He didn't just design a logo and brand stationery; he gave my dream an identity. Minimal, timeless, and elegant, it perfectly reflected everything I wanted the brand to stand for.

I poured my heart into curating products and creating gifts that I genuinely hoped people would love. Once the collection was ready, I was suddenly faced with a new challenge—how do I share this story with the world?

It was time for our very first product shoot.

It was just Sinto, Athira, and I.

Sinto Poduthas, who was beginning his creative journey as a cinematographer, had an incredible eye behind the camera. I still remember the first time a photograph appeared on my laptop screen. I looked at it and instantly knew we had created something special. Athira Raj brought words to the brand, helping shape the content and telling the stories that eventually became its voice.

We didn't have elaborate sets or a big budget. What we did have were beautiful products, endless enthusiasm, and a few kind-hearted souls who generously lent us their beautiful décor and props without a second thought. There were no contracts or expectations—just trust.

What made that shoot even more unforgettable was what was happening outside those four walls. We were so immersed in creating that we barely noticed the relentless rain. It was only later that we realised Kerala was in the midst of what would become the devastating floods of 2018.

From product shoots to brand campaigns, friends like Isha Talwar and Jinu Joseph stepped in with incredible warmth, lending not only their time but also their presence and their faces to our early campaigns. Their belief gave Gift of the Present a confidence and credibility that I could never have created on my own.

Then there were Simi, Adwaith, Bobin, Vishnu, and Sreejith—the friends who never waited to be asked. They simply showed up. Whether it meant pulling all-nighters, packing hampers, helping me launch my very first retail store, setting it up, loading and unloading vehicles, or doing the countless little things nobody ever sees, they were always there. They celebrated every small victory with me, and on the days when the journey felt heavy, they somehow made it lighter.

Looking back, I realise that while Gift of the Present may have been my dream, it was shaped by the generosity of so many people who chose to make it their own.

Thank you, my friends, for being the greatest gift of my journey... and for being such an integral part of it.

P.S. Just because no blog on friendship can go without mentioning certain names: Uma, Sonia, Vama, Vinay, Ruchika, Bidisha, and Govind.