‘12 grapes at midnight,’ flavoured condoms, other quirky orders usher in Indias’ New Year 2025
As India rang in 2025, quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto became the unsung heroes of New Year’s Eve celebrations, delivering party essentials, quirky surprises, and even some truly bizarre items to customers. Here’s a look at the funniest, strangest, and most surprising things that Indians ordered in a rush to celebrate the end of 2024 and the start of 2025.
1. Party staples: Chips, ice, and snacks
The classic party essentials dominated the orders, with Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa revealing some eye-popping stats. By 8:00 pm on December 31, the platform had delivered over 2.3 lakh packets of aloo bhujiya and a staggering 6,834 packets of ice cubes. These typical snack and refreshment items were flying off the virtual shelves as people prepared for the festivities.
2. Unexpected surge in grape orders
One of the most surprising trends of the evening was the sudden popularity of grapes. Dhindsa shared his shock on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "What's with the sudden craze for grapes today?? It's one of the highest ordered items on the platform since morning!" It turns out, the grape rush was linked to an age-old tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve while making a wish -- popularized by Sofia Vergara’s character in Modern Family. But still, the surge in grape orders certainly raised some eyebrows.
3. Condoms: A popular choice
In perhaps the most unexpected twist of the night, condom sales on Blinkit spiked in an amusing breakdown: 39 percent were chocolate-flavored, 31 percent strawberry, and 19 percent bubblegum. Dhindsa quipped about these orders as part of the "after-party prep," leaving social media users intrigued and amused. Comments flooded in with people humorously questioning the meaning behind the increase in such orders, sparking light-hearted debates online.
4. Handcuffs and blindfolds
Not all the items ordered were related to food or drink. Swiggy Instamart’s data revealed a surge in unusual requests, with customers placing orders for blindfolds and handcuffs. The weird combination of these items for a New Year’s Eve party certainly got social media buzzing. What could it mean for the party atmosphere? A playful reminder that everyone’s celebration style is different!
5. Hangover solutions: PartySmart and Eno deliveries
As the celebrations stretched into the night, some customers opted to plan ahead for their New Year hangovers. Blinkit recorded deliveries of 22,322 PartySmart tablets and 2,434 packets of Eno. PartySmart, a herbal remedy known for reducing hangover symptoms, was particularly popular as people prepared for the inevitable aftermath of the festivities.
6. Water and other hydration essentials
In addition to alcohol and snacks, hydration became a priority for many. On New Year's Eve, Blinkit delivered over 45,000 bottles of mineral water. It seems customers were stocking up to stay hydrated throughout the night, ensuring they had a replenishing drink close at hand amid all the partying and festivities.
Swiggy Instamart reported an astounding 853 chip orders per minute at 7:30 pm on December 31, further reinforcing the idea that chips were the go-to snack for ringing in the new year. The munching of chips seemed to be as essential to the evening as the countdown itself.
Rise of instant gratification in India
The sheer variety and number of orders placed on New Year’s Eve highlight how India’s quick-commerce platforms have become integral to the festive celebrations. From chips to grapes to party prep essentials like condoms and hangover cures, these services make it easier for consumers to get exactly what they need -- right when they need it.
Quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are transforming the retail landscape across India. With the demand for instant delivery continuing to grow, these companies have expanded far beyond metro cities to serve customers in smaller towns as well. The market, valued at approximately USD 5 billion, shows no sign of slowing down, and with it, the wide variety of items being ordered by Indians will continue to keep these platforms on their toes.
In the world of quick commerce, anything is possible -- whether it’s grapes, chips, or even handcuffs! As India embraces the convenience economy, platforms will undoubtedly keep surprising us with the diverse and sometimes quirky items consumers want to get delivered in minutes.