Christmas 2025: India’s festive shopping trends

In India Christmas has become part of a longer year-end celebration cycle that blends traditional joy with booming retail activity, creative gifting, and digital-first consumption.

A retail wave that doesn’t stop at Diwali

Traditionally, Diwali has been India’s biggest shopping festival – but it looks like that is changing. With festivals now stretching from Diwali through New Year’s Eve, Christmas has emerged as a key shopping moment in urban and semi-urban markets alike.

For 2025, industry data shows online festive shopping in India may exceed ₹1.2 lakh crore, growing sharply year-on-year as consumers chase convenience, value, and variety.

Major drivers include  rationalised GST rates that have made electronics, appliances, and lifestyle products more affordable, encouraging people to shop across categories during the extended season.

Where are people shopping?

Online platforms

Indian households are embracing e-commerce like never before. A 2025 survey suggests that online festive buying by urban households is poised to grow more than 115% compared with last year: a huge shift toward digital purchases for gadgets, gifts, groceries, fashion, and décor.

From easy returns to wide selection and one-click delivers, the importance of convenience has made online stores the go-to for busy holiday shoppers. Fast and reliable delivery slots (including same-day and midnight options for gifts) are now table stakes.

Malls and local markets

Despite e-commerce’s rise, physical spaces remain a crown favourite. From bustling Christmas markets in Bhopal and Vizag to beautifully decorated malls in Delhi drawing weekend crowds, Indians still love the sensory thrill of in-person shopping, with lights, music, food, and seasonal displays.

Events like Delhi’s Boho Bazaar, a Christmas-themed pop-up with hundreds of curated brands, are also tapping into demand for unique and artisanal gifts, offering festive discounts alongside live experiences.

What are people buying?

Classic Christmas staples

Christmas cakes remain centrepieces of the celebration and bakers and online gift services are seeing orders spike, especially for midnight delivery and personalised combos.

Personalised and sustainable gifts

Personalisation is trending. Customers increasingly choose custom items like mugs, frames, cushions, and message keepsakes that reflect memories and emotion, rather than generic gifts.

Eco-friendly options like potted plants or sustainable hamper boxes are also growing in popularity, especially among younger buyers.

Tech and home goods

From smartphones and AI-enabled laptops to large-screen TVs and home appliances, smart consumer electronics continue to be strong performers during the year-end shopping surge. Retailers like Croma report heightened demand for premium devices and home entertainment gear.

Trends shaping the season

Digital discoveries

Indian shoppers increasingly look to social media, video content, and generative AI tools for gift ideas and trends. Platforms like Instagram Reels and creator-led content guide consumers to deals and product choices — making discovery as digital as checkout.

Extended festive window

Christmas is now a key part of a long five-month festive shopping season that includes Black Friday, Diwali, New Year, and everything in between. Retailers are tapping into this by extending sales, offering bundled deals, and keeping festive promotions live well into December.

Local traditions and experiences

Cities like Serampore are building Christmas circuits inspired by iconic celebrations in Kolkata, creating festive hubs that also boost local tourism and economy.

What it means for consumers

This Christmas in India is not just about one day of celebration, it’s a retail and cultural moment. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift online, exploring a winter bazaar with friends, or ordering a custom cake delivered by midnight, the season blends value-seeking and experiential shopping as well as traditional celebrations with modern expression.

From tech lovers to home entertainers, gift givers to festive families, 2025’s Christmas season reflects both India’s diverse cultural spirit and its rapidly evolving consumer landscape.