Thanksgiving Messages for Coworkers, Clients & Friends

The fourth Thursday of November is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a cultural checkpoint. It is the one day of the year collectively dedicated to the art of appreciation. While the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie often take center stage, the true currency of the holiday is the happy Thanksgiving message.

Whether you are a CEO looking to retain a high-value client, a team leader trying to boost morale among remote employees, or a friend wanting to make your “bestie” smile, the words you choose matter. In a digital world where we are often overwhelmed by generic communication, a thoughtful and well-crafted thank-you greeting stands out. It bridges gaps, strengthens bonds, and humanizes our professional interactions.

This comprehensive guide is your one-stop resource for Thanksgiving wishes. We have curated hundreds of templates, quotes, and etiquette tips to help you navigate every relationship in your life—from the boardroom to the dining room.

The Etiquette of the Modern Thanksgiving Wish

Before diving into the templates, it is crucial to understand the “when” and “how” of sending Thanksgiving greetings. The medium is often just as important as the message.

Timing is Everything

• For Business (Clients & Partners): The ideal window is Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Sending a happy Thanksgiving message on Wednesday afternoon risks it getting buried in an “Out of Office” avalanche. You want your message to be the one they read before they check out mentally for the long weekend.
• For Personal (Friends & Family): Thanksgiving morning is the sweet spot. A text or e-card sent between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM arrives before the cooking chaos peaks and the football games begin.
• For Social Media: Post your happy Thanksgiving quotes and photos in the early afternoon (around 2:00 PM EST) when people are likely scrolling during their post-meal downtime.

The Medium: Email vs. Ecard vs. Handwritten

• Handwritten Notes: These are the gold standard for high-value clients or deeply personal relationships. A handwritten card signals that you invested time—a rare commodity.
• Ecards: The perfect balance of efficiency and thoughtfulness. A well-designed Thanksgiving ecard allows for personalization and visual impact, making it ideal for friends, mid-tier clients, and family members.
• Email/Text: Best for casual acquaintances, large employee lists, or quick check-ins. To make these effective, you must avoid the “mass blast” feel by using the recipient’s name and a specific detail about your relationship.

Professional Thanksgiving Wishes for Clients & Business Partners

In the corporate world, gratitude is a retention strategy. A happy Thanksgiving message to a client isn’t just nice; it reinforces the partnership. However, the tone must align with your industry. A creative agency can be playful; a law firm should be reassuring.

For Long-Term, Loyal Clients

• “As we approach the end of another year, I find myself reflecting on the partnerships that have made our work meaningful. Your trust and collaboration are the highlight of our business. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving filled with peace and prosperity.”
• “Thank you for being such a loyal partner. We don’t take your trust for granted, and we look forward to continuing our journey together in the year ahead. Best Thanksgiving wishes to you and your team.”
• “It is clients like you who make our job a pleasure. Thank you for your continued business and for being a part of our family. Have a wonderful holiday season.”

For New Clients

• “We are so thrilled to have started this partnership with you this year. Thank you for choosing us. We hope this Thanksgiving brings you joy and rest.”
• “Happy Thanksgiving! We are excited to see what we can achieve together in the coming year. Thank you for putting your trust in us.”
• “Wishing a very happy Thanksgiving message to our newest partners. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you.”

For Financial & Legal Services

• “In this season of gratitude, we want to express our appreciation for the privilege of serving you. We value the trust you place in us to handle your most important matters. Warmest Thanksgiving Day wishes.”
• “Stewardship is built on trust. Thank you for entrusting us with your business. We wish you abundance and security this holiday season.”
• “Reflecting on the year, we are grateful for your advocacy and partnership. May your holiday be filled with the company of family and friends.”

The “Sales-Free” Guarantee

Pro Tip: Never include a sales pitch, a coupon code, or a “call to action” in a Thanksgiving note. The moment you ask for a sale, you nullify the gratitude. Let the Thanksgiving wishes stand alone.

Thanksgiving Greetings for Coworkers, Employees & Bosses

Your colleagues are the people you spend the majority of your waking hours with. Acknowledging their effort can significantly boost morale and improve company culture.

For Your Direct Reports

• “I want to take a moment to thank you for the incredible work you’ve put in this quarter. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Enjoy your well-deserved break!”
• “This team wouldn’t be the same without your creativity and drive. Thank you for everything you do. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family.”
• “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together this year. Go enjoy some turkey and pie—you’ve earned it!”

For Your Boss or Mentor

• “Happy Thanksgiving! I wanted to express my gratitude for your guidance and mentorship this year. I’ve learned so much under your leadership.”
• “Thank you for creating such a supportive work environment. I hope you have a relaxing and joyful holiday with your loved ones.”
• “Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I appreciate the opportunities you’ve given me to grow this year.”

For Remote & Distributed Teams

Remote workers can often feel isolated during the holidays. Use these happy Thanksgiving sayings to bridge the digital gap.

• “Even though we are miles apart, I am grateful for our close collaboration. Sending you warm Thanksgiving greetings from across the screen!”
• “Thank you for keeping us connected and moving forward, no matter the time zone. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!”
• “Technology keeps us connected, but it’s people like you who make this team work. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving.”

Funny Office Thanksgiving Quotes

Lighten the mood in the company Slack channel or Microsoft Teams chat with these:

• “May your stuffing be tasty and your Outlook inbox be empty.”
• “I’m thankful for coworkers who act like family (and by that, I mean the dysfunction is manageable). Happy Turkey Day!”
• “This Thanksgiving, let’s all be thankful that we don’t have to work on Friday. Cheers, team!”

The Friendsgiving Phenomenon: Invites & Wishes

“Friendsgiving”—the celebration of Thanksgiving with friends, usually held the weekend before the actual holiday—has exploded in popularity. The vibe is casual, potluck-style, and often involves more wine than turkey.

Creative Friendsgiving Invitations

• The Potluck Ask: “Let’s get stuffed! Join us for Friendsgiving on. We’ll provide the bird; you bring the sides (and the gossip). RSVP by.”
• The “No Stress” Invite: “Come eat, drink, and wear your stretchy pants. No family drama, just good friends and great food. Friendsgiving at [Location]!”
• The Digital Invite: “You are the family I chose. Let’s celebrate. Happy Thanksgiving wishes come early this year—join us for a feast!”

Friendsgiving Instagram Captions

• “Friends are the family you choose. And the ones who bring the good wine. #Friendsgiving”
• “Grateful for this squad. And mashed potatoes. Mostly the potatoes.”
• “Pies before guys. Happy Friendsgiving!”
• “Thankful for friends who don’t judge how much I eat.”
• “Eat, drink, and be thankful. #SquadGoals”

Heartfelt & Funny Thanksgiving Wishes for Friends and Family

When writing to your inner circle, you can drop the corporate veil. Whether you want to be deeply sentimental or laugh-out-loud funny, authenticity is key.

Sentimental & Heartfelt

• “I’m counting my blessings today, and you are at the very top of the list. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to my favorite person.”
• “Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what matters most. For me, that’s you. Thank you for being my rock.”
• “May your home be filled with laughter, your table with delicious food, and your heart with joy. Sending you love this Thanksgiving.”
• “Distance may separate us, but you are always in my heart. Missing you at the table this year. Happy Thanksgiving!“

Funny Thanksgiving Wishes for Best Friends

• “May your turkey be moist and your family dysfunction be minimal. Happy Thanksgiving!“
• “I’m just here for the pie… and you, of course. But mostly the pie.”
• “Here’s to elastic waistbands and zero judgment. Happy Thanksgiving! Funny moments are the best kind!”
• “Leftovers are for quitters. Give it your all today!”
• “Happy Thanksgiving! Remember: calories don’t count on holidays. It’s a scientific fact.”
• “I hope your Thanksgiving dinner is as messy and wonderful as our friendship.”

Short Text Messages

• “Gobble ’til you wobble! 🦃 Happy Thanksgiving!”
• “Eat, drink, and be thankful. Love you!”
• “Sending you big hugs and turkey legs. Happy Thanksgiving!”
• “So grateful for you today. Have the best day!”

Social Media Mastery: Captions for Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn

In 2025, your social media presence is a distinct form of communication. Your happy Thanksgiving message needs to be tailored to the platform you are using.

Instagram & TikTok

• The Aesthetic Shot: “Gratitude is the best attitude. 🍂 #Thanksgiving.”
• The Foodie Shot: “Feast mode: Activated. 🦃 #FoodComa.”
• The Couple Shot: “Thankful for my little turkey. ❤️”
• The Funny/Relatable: “My official occupation today: Couch Potato. 🥔”
• Short & Punchy:
  • “Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.”
  • “Sweater weather and pumpkin pie.”
  • “Full heart, full belly.”

LinkedIn

On LinkedIn, your post should bridge the personal and professional. It’s a chance to show human leadership.

• Template 1: “This Thanksgiving, I’m taking a break from the hustle to appreciate the journey. I’m incredibly grateful for my team at [Company], our clients who trust us, and the mentors who guided me here. What are you thankful for today? #Gratitude #Leadership”
• Template 2: “They say gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves and spend without fear of bankruptcy. Today, I’m spending it all on my network. Thank you for the support, the likes, and the conversations this year. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to my LinkedIn community.”

The Art of the Thanksgiving Toast

If you are hosting dinner, you might be expected to give a toast. Don’t panic. A good toast is short, sincere, and inclusive.

The Structure of a Perfect Toast

1. The Hook: Get everyone’s attention (tapping a glass is cliché; just stand up and smile).
2. The Recognition: Acknowledge the chef (even if it’s you) and the effort it took to gather everyone.
3. The Universal Truth: Connect the group with a shared sentiment (gratitude, survival, joy).
4. The Blessings: A wish for the food and the company.

Short Thanksgiving Toasts

• The Classic: “Here’s to the food before us, the friends beside us, and the love between us. Cheers!”
• The Humorous: “May your turkey be plump, may your potatoes be gravy-less (just kidding), and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!”
• The Literary: “As Oscar Wilde said, ‘After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations.’ So let’s eat, and then let’s forgive! Happy Thanksgiving.”
• The Simple: “To health, to happiness, and to never running out of pie.”

Historical & Literary Quotes to Elevate Your Greeting Card

Sometimes, the best words have already been written. Using a classic Thanksgiving Day quote adds elegance and weight to your message, especially in handwritten cards.

The Classics

• “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but also the parent of all the others.” — Cicero
• “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens
• “Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.” — Gertrude Stein
• “You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Humorous & Cynical

• “Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” — Johnny Carson
• “I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.” — Jon Stewart (Best for a politically aware/dry humor audience)
• “Thanksgiving is a magical time of year when families across the country join together to raise America’s obesity statistics.” — Stephen Colbert
• “All I have to be thankful for in this world is that I was sitting down when my garter busted.” — Dorothy Parker

Historical Gravitas

• “I do therefore invite my fellow citizens… to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” — Abraham Lincoln (From the 1863 Proclamation)
• “It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” — George Washington

Religious Happy Thanksgiving Blessings

For many, Thanksgiving is a deeply spiritual holiday rooted in faith. Sharing happy Thanksgiving blessings or scripture is a beautiful way to honor the holiday’s religious origins.

Bible Verses for Thanksgiving Cards

• Psalm 107:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 100:4: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
• Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Christian Thanksgiving Blessings

• “May God bless your home with peace, your life with joy, and your year with abundance. Happy Thanksgiving, blessings to you and yours.”
• “Praying that your Thanksgiving is filled with the presence of God and the warmth of family.”
• “We thank God for the harvest, but mostly we thank Him for you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.”

Cross-Cultural Etiquette: Global Thanksgiving

In our interconnected economy, you may be working with teams in India, Europe, or Asia who do not celebrate Thanksgiving. How do you handle Thanksgiving greetings globally?

For Offshore Teams

If you are part of an offshore team sending wishes to American clients, authenticity is key. You are acknowledging their holiday.

• Do say: “We know this is a special time for you and your family. We want to take this moment to thank you for the partnership. Enjoy your holiday!”
• Don’t say, “We are stuffing our turkeys here!” (Unless you actually are. Pretending to celebrate a holiday you don’t observe can feel inauthentic.
• Timing: Send your wishes by Wednesday. The US shuts down on Thursday and Friday. A message sent on Thursday will likely not be read until Monday, losing its impact.

For Global Teams

• The “Gratitude” Approach: Even if your colleagues in London or Singapore aren’t eating turkey, you can still use the date as an excuse to say thanks.
• Template: “While Thanksgiving is a US holiday, the sentiment of gratitude is universal. I wanted to take this time to thank you for your hard work this year.”

Creative Ways to Deliver Your Message

Finally, don’t limit yourself to just a plain email. Creativity makes your happy Thanksgiving message memorable.

1. Video Message (Loom/Zoom): Record a 30-second video of yourself (or your team) waving and saying thanks. It’s personal, human, and stands out in a text-heavy inbox.
2. The “Snail Mail” Surprise: As mentioned, physical cards have a 100% open rate. No one throws away a handwritten envelope without opening it.
3. The Ecard Experience: Modern ecards involve animation, music, and beautiful typography. They are eco-friendly and instant. Browse our exclusive collection of Thanksgiving Cards to find the perfect design for everyone on your list. From heartfelt animations to professional greetings, make this year’s Thanksgiving wishes unforgettable.
4. The Gift of Coffee: Send a $5 digital coffee card with your email. “Have a coffee on me to kick off the holiday break.” It’s a small gesture with a huge impact.

Conclusion: The Ripple Effect of Gratitude

As we wrap up this guide, remember that the perfect happy Thanksgiving message is not the one with the biggest words, but the one with the most heart. Whether you are copying a Thanksgiving quote from Mark Twain or writing a simple “Thank you” to a coworker, the act of expressing gratitude creates a ripple effect. It lifts spirits, cements relationships, and reminds us that behind every business transaction and every social media handle, there is a person who wants to be appreciated.

So, take a few minutes this November. Scroll through the templates above, find the one that resonates, and hit send. You never know how much someone needs to hear it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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