Happy Thanksgiving wishes and messages
Their name, one thing about them you're thankful for, and a wish for the day.
Who’s in it?
Pay, and it’s ready in about 20 seconds
Four pictures to pick from, no watermark, a link that opens on any phone. We email it to you too.
Sent. Its link opens this card.
A good Thanksgiving wish says Happy Thanksgiving, names one thing about the person you're thankful for, and wishes them a good day at the table: "Happy Thanksgiving, Aunt Jo. I'm thankful for you, your laugh and your green bean casserole." Below are 80 happy Thanksgiving wishes and messages: short ones for a text, lines for family, a partner, friends, coworkers and clients, funny ones about the kids' table and the dry turkey, wishes for someone far away and for whoever's hosting, plus grateful ones and a few gentle faith-based ones. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26. Copy a line, or tap it to put it on a card with their face in it: Grandma lifts the lid off the serving dish and the turkey looks back at her, or the whole family, up to five people, squeezes around the kids' table while the dog takes the big chair.
What to write in a Thanksgiving card, by who it's for
The same wish doesn't fit your grandma and your biggest client. One line that fits beats three that don't.
| Who it's for | What works | Leave out |
|---|---|---|
| Family you'll see Thursday | A short line in a text the night before, or on the card by their plate | Who's bringing what. That's the group chat's job. |
| Family you won't see | The empty chair: what you'll miss, and when you'll see them next | Guilt about not making the trip |
| Friends | Thanks for one thing they did this year | A list of everything you're thankful for |
| Coworkers | Thanks for the year, and a wish for a quiet long weekend | Work, deadlines, anything that needs a reply |
| Clients | One line of thanks for their trust, signed by a person | Offers, discounts, a sales pitch |
| The host | Thanks for the meal and one detail from it, sent the next day | Notes on the turkey |
| Someone grieving | That you're thinking of them, and of who's missing | Jokes, and "happy" if it feels wrong this year |
80 messages to put on the card
Tap one and it goes on your card. You can change every word.
Short ones for a text
For family
For your partner
For friends
For coworkers and clients
Funny ones
For someone far away
For whoever's hosting
Heartfelt ones
Faith-based, gently
Cards made from your photos
How to write a Thanksgiving message in three lines
"Happy Thanksgiving, Marcus. Thank you for driving me to every appointment this spring. Save me a slice of your pecan pie." Three parts, in this order:
Want them to see it as well as read it? Every line here fits on one of our funny Thanksgiving cards, where Grandma lifts the lid off the serving dish and the turkey looks back at her.
- Happy Thanksgiving and their name.
- One thing about them you're thankful for this year, as specific as you can make it: a ride, a recipe, a phone call.
- A wish for the day, or a nudge about the next time you'll see them.
When to send it, and other ways to say Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in the US is the fourth Thursday of November, which is November 26 this year (Canada's was October 12). Texts land best on Thursday morning, before the oven takes over and phones go face down on the counter. A card for someone far away can go out a day or two early, and the thank-you to the host goes out Friday. Our thank you messages have lines for that one.
"Happy Thanksgiving" is the safe greeting for anyone, from a client to your grandma. A few others, for when you want it to sound more like you:
- "Happy Turkey Day," for people who'd laugh at it.
- "Wishing you a full table and a slow afternoon," for almost anyone.
- "Enjoy the long weekend," for work.
- "Happy Friendsgiving," for the dinner with friends, usually the weekend before or after.
- "Thinking of you today," for someone having a hard year.
How it works
- Pick a cardPilots, mermaids, rock stars, one very surprised cake. Every one shows a real example first.
- Add their photosOne clear face each, up to 5 people. A selfie is fine. No sign-up.
- Preview it, then payOne picture of them in the card in about 10 seconds. Like it? Apple Pay or Google Pay, and four pictures arrive about 20 seconds later, the video in about 90.
What are some Thanksgiving greetings?
"Happy Thanksgiving" works for anyone. Warmer ones: "Thankful for you this year" or "Wishing you a full table and a slow afternoon." For work, "Wishing you and your family a happy Thanksgiving" is plenty, and in December these holiday wishes for work do the same job.
How do you say thanks for Thanksgiving?
Say it to the person, by name, with the reason: "I'm thankful for you, Dee. You got me through the move." If someone hosted, thank them the next day and name one thing from the meal: "Thank you for having us. The kids are still talking about your sweet potato pie."
What is a powerful message about Thanksgiving?
The ones that land name a person and a thing: "You drove me to every appointment this spring. I'm thankful for you every day, and today I'm saying so." A specific thank-you beats a quote about gratitude, because only you could have written it.
What is the proper way to say "Happy Thanksgiving"?
"Happy Thanksgiving," with both words capitalized in a greeting. "Happy Thanksgiving Day" is fine too, and "Happy Turkey Day" is the casual one for friends. In a card, add their name and you're done: "Happy Thanksgiving, Lena."
What is a good message to send on Thanksgiving?
A short text in the morning, before the cooking takes over: "Happy Thanksgiving! Thinking of you and grateful for you." If they're far away, tell them they're missed: "It's not the same without you here. We set your place anyway."
What is a unique way to say "Happy Thanksgiving"?
Make it about them: "Happy Thanksgiving to the only person allowed near the gravy." Or send them a picture of themselves at the kids' table. Our funny Thanksgiving cards put their face in the scene with your line on it.
Can I send a Thanksgiving card with their face in it?
Yes. Tap a wish, add one clear photo of each person (Dinner Disagrees takes one, The Kids' Table up to five) and pay. You get four pictures and a short video: the pictures are ready about 20 seconds after you pay, the video a minute or two later, and you send a link that opens on any phone, no app or account needed. The photos stay private and are deleted after 30 days unless you keep the card. When the leftovers run out, there are Christmas card messages too.
By HiWith (Winding AI, Inc.) · support@winding.ai · Updated