17 Thanksgiving Social Media Post Ideas for Businesses

Thanksgiving brings a unique chance for businesses to connect with their customers through a shared celebration of gratitude. Instead of just running another promotion, they can highlight company culture and share holiday excitement with an audience that’s eager to engage with brands in a festive, relaxed mood.

It sounds easy, but coming up with the right content isn’t always simple.

To help you stand out with authenticity and creativity, we’ve put together 17 actionable Thanksgiving social media post ideas. From heartfelt gratitude messages to fun holiday-themed giveaways, these ideas will inspire you to connect with your followers and strengthen your brand’s presence this Thanksgiving season.

1. Gratitude posts to customers

Thanksgiving is an ideal time to show customers they’re appreciated. A simple message of thanks can go a long way, especially when it feels personal and sincere. Consider posting a heartfelt note that acknowledges the support your customers have given over the past year.

Mention specific ways they’ve helped your business grow, whether by sharing your content, purchasing products, or providing valuable feedback. Acknowledging these small acts makes your message feel personal, and your followers will likely feel recognized and valued.

If your business has grown significantly over the past year, you could highlight a few key milestones and express gratitude for the role your customers played in reaching them. Add a call to action encouraging your followers to share what they’re thankful for in the comments.

This helps you build a two-way connection with your audience, making the interaction more engaging. By showing authentic appreciation, you strengthen relationships and remind customers that they’re more than just a number.

2. An employee appreciation spotlight

Take the opportunity to highlight the people behind your business. Showcasing your team’s dedication and hard work adds a human element to your social media presence. This can be as simple as a series of posts featuring team members sharing what they’re thankful for.

Whether it’s their favorite part of working with the company, their gratitude toward colleagues, or even something personal, these glimpses help customers connect with your brand on a deeper level.

When sharing employee stories, try to make them as relatable and down-to-earth as possible. Use photos or short videos to introduce each team member, along with a brief caption highlighting their “thankful” moment. 

Encourage your employees to interact with responses to their posts as well. It adds a personal touch, showing that your team is actively engaging with your audience. An employee spotlight series doesn’t just show gratitude to your team but also creates a friendly and approachable image for your business.

3. Flash sales and limited-time offers

A Thanksgiving flash sale can bring in extra business and encourage more holiday shopping. Create a limited-time sale that aligns with Thanksgiving and lets your customers save on their favorite items. 

Use clear and straightforward language to announce the flash sale, focusing on the savings and the time frame. For example, a simple message like “Thanksgiving Day Special: 20% off all products until midnight!” can be enough to grab attention. Be sure to share the deal early on Thanksgiving morning so your followers can plan for the day. 

If you want to add a bit of personalization, think about including a thank-you message to your customers as part of the announcement. Remind them that the sale is a small way of saying “thank you” for their support throughout the year.

Don’t forget to follow up as the sale’s end time approaches. Make this as a gentle reminder as not to sour the tone, but it’s an important step as many people are busy with the holiday and may need a nudge to take action before the sale closes.

4. A Thanksgiving giveaway

A Thanksgiving-themed giveaway is a strong way to boost engagement and grow your audience. Running a simple contest where followers share what they’re thankful for is an easy and meaningful way to increase interaction on your posts. This approach also aligns with the Thanksgiving spirit, inviting followers to participate in a positive, feel-good activity.

To get started, decide on a prize that will appeal to your audience. This could be one of your products, a gift card, or a special discount. When announcing the giveaway, clearly explain how followers can enter. For example, you could ask them to comment on the post with something they’re thankful for and tag a friend. This helps spread the word while keeping the entry process simple and quick.

If possible, make sure you actively engage with participants by liking or responding to their comments. This personal touch increases the sense of connection and encourages even more people to join.

When the contest ends, announce the winner in a follow-up post or story. A giveaway done well can leave a positive impression, attract new followers, and remind existing ones why they value your brand.

5. Seasonal product highlights

Highlighting seasonal products or services during Thanksgiving will help your audience see how they might fit into their holiday plans. Focus on products that make sense for the season, like cozy clothing, festive decor, or services that make holiday prep easier.

Share posts that show these products in real-life settings — this could mean a quick video of a product in action or photos of customers enjoying it in holiday settings. Adding a special Thanksgiving discount or bundle can make the offer even more appealing.

Consider featuring items with specific suggestions on how they can be used or gifted during Thanksgiving. For example, a restaurant might highlight a catering menu with Thanksgiving-friendly dishes, while a boutique might promote warm accessories perfect for a fall gathering.

Sharing seasonal products this way helps you connect with customers who are already thinking about Thanksgiving. And if they see your products as helpful or fitting for the season, they’re more likely to remember your brand when holiday shopping.

6. Black Friday / Cyber Monday teasers

For some, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the holiday; it’s also the lead-in to the Christmas season and the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days. To build anticipation for your upcoming sales, give your audience a sneak peek.

These can be short posts or stories that reveal just enough to capture interest, without giving away too many details. For example, share a countdown to the sale or a hint about which items will be discounted.

You might also want to share exclusive information, such as early-bird discounts for social media followers or insider tips on sale start times. This gives your audience a reason to stay tuned and to follow your posts closely. If possible, include a reminder for followers to sign up for alerts, newsletters, or notifications to make sure they don’t miss out.

Teasers like these create a sense of anticipation and help keep your audience engaged, setting the stage for higher engagement once the sales go live. Plus, keeping your followers informed of upcoming deals early can prevent them from jumping to another retailer for similar items during the holiday rush.

7. A Thanksgiving-themed product showcase

Thanksgiving offers a perfect opportunity to showcase your products in a festive, seasonal setting. This approach goes beyond the typical product display by adding a touch of holiday spirit, making your offerings feel more relatable to customers who are celebrating the season. Think about how your products or services fit within Thanksgiving celebrations or gatherings and present them accordingly.

Start by styling your products with subtle Thanksgiving elements. For example, if you sell kitchenware, show a holiday-ready table setup, complete with items that bring out the warmth of a Thanksgiving meal. Retailers can feature fall-colored decorations, cozy textures, or settings that suggest family gatherings. 

If possible, share high-quality images or short video clips that capture these Thanksgiving-inspired scenes. The visuals should be simple yet effective, helping your audience see how your products add to their Thanksgiving experience. Also, consider pairing each post with a tip on how customers might use the product during the holiday, which makes your posts not only festive but practical as well.

8. Customer testimonials

Thanksgiving is also a good time to share customer testimonials as a way to express appreciation for the people who support your business. Highlighting positive feedback helps build credibility and shows new followers that your products or services have made a real difference. 

Start by selecting testimonials that highlight qualities customers might appreciate during the holiday season — such as convenience, quality, or reliability. Aim to share testimonials that capture these aspects and focus on specific products or services customers might be interested in as they prepare for Thanksgiving.

You can enhance these posts by framing them as thank-you messages, acknowledging how much the positive feedback means to your business. For example, “We’re thankful for customers like [Customer Name] who make what we do so worthwhile.”

Pair this with the customer’s testimonial, and consider adding a visual touch, like a photo of the product or a graphic that matches your brand’s Thanksgiving theme. Testimonials, when positioned as genuine thanks, can reinforce your connection with customers while giving followers insight into what makes your brand unique.

9. Throwback photos

Sharing throwback photos during Thanksgiving can add a nostalgic and personal touch to your brand’s social media presence. These could be photos from past Thanksgiving events, early team gatherings, or even the early days of your company. A look back reminds customers of your growth and your brand’s story, which can create a more genuine connection with your audience.

Select throwback images that highlight key milestones or memorable moments, especially those that resonate with the Thanksgiving spirit of gratitude and togetherness. For example, you might post a photo of the team during a previous Thanksgiving lunch, or a snapshot from the company’s early days.

Pair the image with a brief caption that gives context, such as “Remembering our first Thanksgiving celebration as a team” or “Grateful for the growth and support over the years.”

Encourage your followers to share their own throwback Thanksgiving photos in the comments, if appropriate. This gives the post a more interactive feel and invites your audience to join the moment. When used thoughtfully, throwback posts show that your business values its roots and the people who have supported it along the way.

10. Influencer partnerships

Collaborating with influencers for Thanksgiving content extends your brand’s reach while bringing in fresh ideas. Influencers have loyal audiences who trust their recommendations, and when they incorporate your brand into seasonal content, it boosts visibility in a natural way. Thanksgiving is ideal for these partnerships, as influencers often look to share meaningful, relatable content during the holiday.

When planning an influencer partnership, look for people whose audience aligns with your own. It’s also helpful if they already share content that fits a Thanksgiving theme, such as recipes, home decor, or family-focused posts.

Approach these influencers with ideas that blend their style with your brand message. For example, a food blogger might create a recipe featuring one of your products, or a lifestyle influencer could show how your product enhances their Thanksgiving setup.

Provide guidance, but leave room for the influencer’s creativity — this is where they shine and letting them lead will keep the content authentic. Once they share the content, repost it on your own channels, with a caption that highlights the collaboration and any unique features they’ve added. A successful partnership helps your brand reach new audiences while creating relevant, seasonal content.

11. Thanksgiving humor or memes

Adding a touch of humor to your Thanksgiving content can make your brand feel approachable and relatable. Humor-based posts, such as light-hearted jokes or memes, often perform well on social media because they’re easy to share. Thanksgiving presents many chances to play with common themes, from the quirks of family gatherings to the frenzy of holiday meal prep.

To make the most of Thanksgiving humor, think about what your audience might find funny this time of year. Memes about family dynamics, the stress of cooking a big meal, or even light jokes about Thanksgiving traditions can strike a chord. For example, a playful post about the “official start of leftovers season” could get a laugh while connecting with your audience’s experiences.

Remember to keep the tone friendly and avoid humor that could be divisive. A Thanksgiving meme can work well as a standalone post, or you could incorporate it into your stories. Whichever format you choose, humor done right can bring lightness to your feed and give followers a reason to engage with your brand in a more casual, fun way.

12. Exclusive offers for followers

Thanksgiving’s an ideal time to reward your loyal followers with exclusive deals. Offering special discounts or early access to sales shows your appreciation and gives your audience a reason to stay engaged. It’s also a practical way to make your followers feel valued without a lot of extra work on your end.

To keep it simple, consider sharing a discount code or early access link in a post or story, making sure to mention that it’s only available for your social media audience.

For example, a post could say, “As a thank you for following us, enjoy 15% off your order with code THANKS15.” To boost engagement, you could also create a “limited offer” available to the first few followers who redeem it, adding a sense of exclusivity and urgency.

When promoting exclusive offers, keep the terms clear and simple. Provide an end date for the offer, and include any details followers need to redeem it. By offering these limited-time perks, you remind your social media audience that they’re a valued part of your community and that following you provides measurable value.

13. Gratitude videos from leadership

Thanksgiving provides a meaningful moment for leaders to connect with customers on a personal level. Having your company’s leaders share a brief message about what they’re thankful for can bring warmth to your social media feed. This approach lets your audience see the people behind the business and helps foster a sense of community.

Keep these videos simple and authentic. Leaders could share gratitude for their team’s hard work, their appreciation for loyal customers, or even personal reflections on the year. The key is to keep it short — around 30 to 60 seconds — so that followers stay engaged. A natural, unscripted feel is what you’re going for — you want to come across as relatable and genuine.

Encourage leaders to touch on specific events or milestones that made an impact, as this grounds the message and makes it more sincere. You might also consider featuring multiple voices, from the CEO to department heads, for a wider perspective on what the company values. Sharing these gratitude videos can remind customers why they support your brand while showing that leadership values their loyalty.

14. A holiday hashtag campaign

A holiday hashtag campaign can encourage your followers to join in on the Thanksgiving spirit while expanding your brand’s reach. Creating a unique hashtag lets customers share their own content related to your brand, which can help build a sense of community. The hashtag could focus on gratitude, Thanksgiving traditions, or anything meaningful that ties into your brand’s values.

Start by introducing the campaign hashtag in a post that explains its purpose and invites followers to join in. For example, you might create a hashtag like # ThankfulWith[YourBrandName] and encourage users to share what they’re grateful for this season. This approach engages your audience, of course, but it also adds personal value to your brand’s online presence.

To keep the momentum going, consider resharing some of your followers’ posts on your own feed or stories, giving them recognition for their participation. This simple gesture shows that you value their voices, strengthening the connection between your brand and its community. A well-crafted hashtag campaign gives your brand fresh content and encourages followers to engage in a way that feels both personal and seasonal.

15. Seasonal blog posts or articles

Thanksgiving brings a chance to share thoughtful blog posts or articles that resonate with the holiday season. Posts that give readers useful advice, such as holiday marketing tips or industry-specific ideas, can help them feel more prepared for the season.

Writing about topics that fit with Thanksgiving — like gratitude, seasonal trends, or holiday planning — allows you to share valuable insights that readers are likely to appreciate.

Once you’ve crafted these seasonal posts, sharing them effectively across social media is key. Tools like Jetpack Social streamline this process by automatically posting your content to multiple platforms. This keeps your audience engaged without requiring you to manually share each post.

For creating these blog posts, consider using an AI content tool to help save time and produce quality content. The Jetpack AI Assistant can assist in generating ideas, drafting content, and refining language, ensuring that each piece aligns with your audience’s interests. Combining insights with automation will help you deliver timely, relevant content this Thanksgiving without extra hassle.

16. Inspirational quotes

Inspirational quotes on gratitude and thankfulness can add a reflective tone to your Thanksgiving social media feed. Sharing quotes is a simple way to connect with followers on a personal level, tapping into the holiday spirit in a way that feels genuine. It also gives your audience content they might want to share, which can help expand your reach.

When choosing quotes, look for words that align with your brand’s values and resonate with the Thanksgiving theme. Quotes on gratitude, kindness, and community often work well.

In your post, use an image or graphic that keeps the focus on the quote without adding too many elements, keeping it clean and easy to read.

In the caption, you might share a short reflection or ask your audience to comment on what they’re thankful for.

17. Holiday hour announcements

Thanksgiving often means changes to regular business hours, and keeping your customers informed can prevent frustration. A clear, simple post about your holiday hours lets your audience know what to expect and shows that you respect their time. This is particularly helpful if you have a physical location or offer customer service during the holiday period.

When announcing your hours, call out the differences from your typical schedule, such as early closings, special hours for Thanksgiving Day, or extended hours on days surrounding Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

A straightforward message like “We’ll be closed on Thanksgiving Day to spend time with family but will reopen on Friday at 9am” gives your followers everything they need to know. 

You could also include a note of thanks to show your appreciation for their understanding and support. A well-timed post with this information reduces confusion and helps customers plan, making it easier for them to connect with your business during the holiday season.

Frequently asked questions

When should businesses start planning and scheduling their Thanksgiving social media content?

Starting early is key to effective holiday content planning. Many businesses begin preparing Thanksgiving content in October, which allows time to design and schedule posts without the last-minute rush.

Begin by deciding on your content themes and creating a posting schedule that leads up to Thanksgiving. Planning ahead also lets you take advantage of scheduling tools to keep posts consistent. By mid-November, aim to have most of your content ready and scheduled, so you can focus on engaging with your audience during the holiday.

What are some tips for creating visually-appealing, Thanksgiving-themed graphics or videos?

Thanksgiving visuals should feel warm and inviting. Earth tones, cozy backgrounds, and elements like autumn leaves or seasonal food all create a festive look. Make sure any text overlays are clear and easy to read.

Keep visuals simple — use one or two focal points to avoid clutter. Free or low-cost design tools like Canva offer templates for creating polished holiday graphics and videos, even if design isn’t your main expertise.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when posting Thanksgiving content on social media?

One common mistake is over-posting. While holiday engagement is important, avoid bombarding your audience with too many posts, which feels overwhelming. Also, avoid content that is too focused on sales without a personal element.

Thanksgiving content that lacks gratitude or a holiday focus can seem disconnected. Finally, avoid overlooking details like post timing. Schedule posts during peak hours for better engagement, and double-check any holiday-specific content for accuracy.

Can I post the same Thanksgiving content on multiple social media platforms?

Yes, but adapt the content to suit each platform. For example, longer captions may work well on Facebook, but shorter, punchier messages are better for Twitter or Instagram. Tailoring images to fit each platform’s dimensions also keeps your content looking professional. Consistency is helpful, but taking a few extra minutes to adjust content for each channel will often improve reach and engagement.

How can I use AI and automation for my Thanksgiving social media content strategy?

AI and automation can streamline your Thanksgiving social media planning and posting.

With Jetpack Social, you can automate social media posts across multiple platforms, helping your holiday content reach followers at the right times without adding to your long holiday to-do list.

Jetpack AI Assistant is also a helpful tool for content creation. It can assist with drafting posts, generating holiday-themed ideas, and even refining your captions to ensure a polished final result. 

Try these two tools to save time and keep your content consistent during the busy holiday period!

Where can I learn more about Jetpack Social & AI Assistant?

To explore more about Jetpack Social and Jetpack AI Assistant and how they can enhance your content strategy, visit their dedicated pages on the Jetpack website:

Jetpack Social: https://jetpack.com/social/

Jetpack AI Assistant: https://jetpack.com/ai/

With these powerful tools, you can focus more on connecting with your audience this Thanksgiving, knowing your content is handled.