Valentine’s Day isn’t just about red roses and teddy bears anymore. At least, that’s what the latest Instamart shopping data seems to suggest.
If you scroll through social media this week, you’ll notice something funny, and oddly relatable. Instead of classic bouquets, people are gifting stacks of chocolates, chips, protein bars, grooming kits and even condom packs arranged like flowers. Yes, really.
Turns out, romance in 2026 looks a lot more practical… and a lot more fun.
Here’s what Instamart’s trends reveal about how India is celebrating love differently this year.
Instamart Valentine’s Day data: What are people ordering?
According to trends observed on Instamart, shoppers are moving beyond traditional gifts and choosing items that feel personal, useful and a bit playful.
Limited-edition ‘Bouquets for All Love Languages’ have caught everyone’s attention. But these aren’t made of roses.
Instead, think:
It’s quirky, yes, but also thoughtful.
Because let’s be honest: snacks you can share together often beat flowers that wilt in two days.
Why Gen Z and millennials are ditching roses
There’s a clear cultural shift happening.
Younger shoppers are no longer chasing over-the-top, dramatic gifts. Instead, they prefer things that say, “I know you well.”
It’s less about grand gestures and more about comfort, inside jokes and everyday routines.
In short, love feels more real, and less filmy.
Evening and late-night orders see a spike
Instamart’s data shows that evening and late-night orders rise sharply around Valentine’s week.
What’s landing in carts the most?
These are the kinds of things people want for cosy movie nights or last-minute surprises.
Because sometimes romance is just, “I ordered your favourite dessert at 11 pm.”
Metros vs non-metros: Shopping habits differ
Interestingly, buying patterns vary by location.
In metro cities, shoppers are experimenting more with:
Meanwhile, in non-metro towns, classic roses still remain popular.
So traditional romance isn’t gone, it’s just sharing space with modern, personalised gifting.
Roses still rule, but with competition
Despite all the creative trends, roses aren’t disappearing anytime soon.
Last Valentine’s Day, Instamart recorded peak orders of 666 roses per minute.
In one standout case, a Bengaluru user reportedly placed 1,780 orders per minute for roses and chocolates combined.
That’s serious love energy.
But now, roses are competing with snack bouquets and skincare kits, and honestly, that mix feels very 2026.
Social media reactions fuel the trend
The idea has also picked up steam online.
Many users say these practical bouquets feel more relatable and fun. Some are even requesting new versions like Biscoff bouquets and skincare hampers.
It’s a clear sign that when a trend lives long enough on Instagram, it stops being content and becomes actual buying behaviour.
And brands like Instamart are simply turning that behaviour into products.
Love, but make it practical
At the end of the day, Valentine’s gifting is becoming less about “perfect” and more about “personal”.
It’s not always about a fancy plan. Sometimes it’s just:
Because the sweetest gifts aren’t always roses, sometimes they’re chips, chocolates and a late-night delivery that says, I was thinking of you.
If you scroll through social media this week, you’ll notice something funny, and oddly relatable. Instead of classic bouquets, people are gifting stacks of chocolates, chips, protein bars, grooming kits and even condom packs arranged like flowers. Yes, really.
Turns out, romance in 2026 looks a lot more practical… and a lot more fun.
Here’s what Instamart’s trends reveal about how India is celebrating love differently this year.
Instamart Valentine’s Day data: What are people ordering?
According to trends observed on Instamart, shoppers are moving beyond traditional gifts and choosing items that feel personal, useful and a bit playful.Limited-edition ‘Bouquets for All Love Languages’ have caught everyone’s attention. But these aren’t made of roses.
Instead, think:
- Chocolate bouquets
- Chips and snack arrangements
- Protein bar stacks
- Condom bouquets
- Grooming kits
- Bath and body care combos
- Cute accessories like flower-shaped hair clips
It’s quirky, yes, but also thoughtful.
Because let’s be honest: snacks you can share together often beat flowers that wilt in two days.
Why Gen Z and millennials are ditching roses
There’s a clear cultural shift happening.Younger shoppers are no longer chasing over-the-top, dramatic gifts. Instead, they prefer things that say, “I know you well.”
- A late-night ice cream tub.
- A skincare set your partner loves.
- Their favourite chips.
- A protein snack for the gym-obsessed friend.
It’s less about grand gestures and more about comfort, inside jokes and everyday routines.
In short, love feels more real, and less filmy.
Evening and late-night orders see a spike
Instamart’s data shows that evening and late-night orders rise sharply around Valentine’s week.What’s landing in carts the most?
- Comfort snacks
- Chocolates
- Ice creams
- Wellness products
- Self-care essentials
These are the kinds of things people want for cosy movie nights or last-minute surprises.
Because sometimes romance is just, “I ordered your favourite dessert at 11 pm.”
Metros vs non-metros: Shopping habits differ
Interestingly, buying patterns vary by location.In metro cities, shoppers are experimenting more with:
- Alternative bouquets
- Snack hampers
- Self-care combos
- Funny or customised gifts
Meanwhile, in non-metro towns, classic roses still remain popular.
So traditional romance isn’t gone, it’s just sharing space with modern, personalised gifting.
Roses still rule, but with competition
Despite all the creative trends, roses aren’t disappearing anytime soon.Last Valentine’s Day, Instamart recorded peak orders of 666 roses per minute.
In one standout case, a Bengaluru user reportedly placed 1,780 orders per minute for roses and chocolates combined.
That’s serious love energy.
But now, roses are competing with snack bouquets and skincare kits, and honestly, that mix feels very 2026.
Social media reactions fuel the trend
The idea has also picked up steam online.Many users say these practical bouquets feel more relatable and fun. Some are even requesting new versions like Biscoff bouquets and skincare hampers.
It’s a clear sign that when a trend lives long enough on Instagram, it stops being content and becomes actual buying behaviour.
And brands like Instamart are simply turning that behaviour into products.
Love, but make it practical
At the end of the day, Valentine’s gifting is becoming less about “perfect” and more about “personal”.It’s not always about a fancy plan. Sometimes it’s just:
- Your favourite snack
- A comfort treat
- A small surprise delivered on time
Because the sweetest gifts aren’t always roses, sometimes they’re chips, chocolates and a late-night delivery that says, I was thinking of you.
