As the clock ticked down on December 31, 2025, India's celebration spirit was vividly reflected in its online orders. Data shared by food delivery platform Swiggy and industry observers painted a picture of a nation welcoming 2026 with gusto, marked by an early craving for biryani, extravagant last-minute gifting, and a predictable rush for party essentials.
The Dawn of the Biryani King
In a stunning display of early appetite, Swiggy's official account revealed that a staggering 2,18,993 orders for biryani had already been placed even before 7:30 in the morning on New Year's Eve. This massive number, shared in a tweet that playfully questioned "king fr?", set the tone for a day of exceptional consumption, highlighting the dish's undisputed reign as a celebratory favourite across the country.
High-Value Gifts and Grand Gestures
The day was also marked by remarkable big-ticket purchases, signalling a trend of luxurious gifting. As noted by Phani Kishan A, a Bengaluru shopper made a splash by purchasing two iPhones for ₹1.8 lakh through the platform. In an equally heartwarming and extravagant trend, nearly one in every nine orders on Swiggy Instamart was placed for friends and family. A standout example was a Mumbai user who received gold worth ₹1.45 lakh from a loved one via the service, proving that digital platforms have become channels for expressing significant affection.
The Final Hour Shopping Frenzy
The last 60 minutes of 2025 witnessed a predictable yet dramatic spike in purchases for party staples. According to shared statistics, the demand in the final hour compared to usual times saw exponential jumps: grapes by 15 times, cakes by 7 times, and BBQ-related items by 6 times. Beverages surged 3.5x, while party glasses saw a 2.5x increase. Interestingly, there was also a notable rise in purchases for pizza bases (1.8x) and even calendars & planners (1.5x), as people prepared for both the immediate party and the year ahead.
These figures collectively underscore how integrated delivery apps have become in facilitating India's modern celebrations, from satisfying spontaneous food cravings and enabling grand gestures to powering the last-minute party prep. The data from December 31, 2025, serves as a digital snapshot of a nation's festive priorities, blending tradition, luxury, and convenience.
