Thanksgiving Card Messages for Family, Friends, Coworkers and Clients

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26 this year, the fourth Thursday of November (timeanddate). It's a small card occasion by volume, about 15 million cards a year according to the Greeting Card Association, which is exactly why a thoughtful one stands out. It's the only holiday built entirely around saying thank you, so the card can be simple and still mean a lot.

The rule that makes every message better: be specific. Thank someone for one thing, and name it.

For family

Grateful and warm

Grateful for this family, every loud and wonderful one of you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for teaching me that there's always room for one more at the table.
Happy Thanksgiving to the people who know me best and love me anyway.

A little funny

I'm thankful for you today and every day, but especially for your stuffing.
Thank you for another year of love, support and second helpings.
Grateful for family, food and the fact that Uncle Joe is bringing the pie this time.

For friends

Friends often get skipped at Thanksgiving because everyone's with family. A note fixes that.

Happy Thanksgiving to the friend who feels like family.
Thankful for you, for this year, and for all the plans we haven't made yet.
Here's to good food, better company and a nap at exactly 4 p.m.
Friendsgiving was the best meal of my year. Thank you for hosting the chaos.

For the host

If someone is hosting you, a thank-you before or after the day is the most gracious gift you can give.

Thank you for opening your home and your table. It was the best day of the year.
You made everyone feel welcome. Thank you for all the work behind the feast.
The turkey was perfect, the company was better. Thank you for having us.

For coworkers

At work, a brief, warm note before the long weekend is plenty.

Thank you for being a great teammate. Enjoy the long weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving. Grateful to work with people like you.
Thank you for all the help this year. Rest up and eat well.

For clients

Thanksgiving is the one season where thanking clients doesn't feel like a sales move. Keeping customers matters: Bain and Company research cited in Harvard Business Review found that a five percent rise in customer retention can lift profits by 25 to 95 percent (HBR). A sincere thank-you is part of how relationships last.

For a long-standing client

Thank you for your trust and partnership this year. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving.
Five years together and still our favorite people to work with. Happy Thanksgiving.

For a newer client

Thank you for choosing to work with us this year. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us.
We're grateful to have you as a client. Enjoy the holiday.

If you can't be there

I'll be with you in spirit, and on video at dessert. Happy Thanksgiving.
Save me a plate and a seat for next year. Missing you all today.
Wherever we are, I'm thankful we're family.

What to avoid

Don't make the card about politics or the year's frustrations. Skip "Happy Turkey Day" for anyone you're thanking seriously. And for clients, keep any promotion out of it entirely; a thank-you with a discount code attached isn't a thank-you.

Send it so it lands on the day

A card that arrives late still says something, just not what you meant. With a GreetSpark letter you can write it tonight and schedule it for 6 a.m. their time on the day itself, wherever they live. It tears open on their phone like an envelope, unfolds in the handwriting you choose, can carry your voice, and you'll know the moment it's opened. Three letters a month are free.

For more help with the words, see our guides on thank-you card wording and what to write in a holiday card, or browse the designs for a Thanksgiving letter that looks the part.