5 Thanksgiving email newsletter examples [+ subject line ideas]

All too often, Thanksgiving gets lost in the shuffle. We’re guilty of it. We push it aside to concentrate on Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). 

It’s OK to break from straightforward promotional campaigns and fold a Thanksgiving newsletter into your overall BFCM promotional calendar.  

A “Happy Thanksgiving” message can be a unique and memorable touch that nurtures relationships. It can also boost revenue — even if it’s focused on expressing gratitude or sending well wishes.
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How do emails sent on Thanksgiving perform? 

We analyzed Seguno customer data from BFCM 2023, specifically the performance of newsletters sent during the “Cyber 5” (Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday, and Cyber Monday). 

Emails sent on Thanksgiving stood out in contrast to the other four days. They:

• Generated the only increase in revenue compared to 2022
• Accounted for almost 20% of BFCM conversions
• Netted the second-highest average order value (AOV)
• Had the highest click rate  

The lesson: sending an email on Thanksgiving can result in fruitful returns. 

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Ideas for Thanksgiving newsletter content

Any email you craft should offer value to your subscriber. Here are some ideas to guide your Thanksgiving email messages:

• Write a note about why you're grateful and the importance of their support 
• Give a behind-the-scenes look
• Provide access to something subscribers usually don’t have
• Share a favorite family holiday recipe 
• Promote products that align with Thanksgiving
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Thanksgiving email newsletter examples for inspiration

How can the Thanksgiving newsletter ideas mentioned above manifest in email form? We found five email examples to bring concepts to life.
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Is your email structure optimized? Before designing a Thanksgiving email, compare your anatomy to our recommendations.

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Thanksgiving email idea #1: thank your audience with a heartfelt message

Thanksgiving is about gratitude. The “thank you” from BBQGuys nails it. 

It’s a wonderfully unique thank-you note that gives all the feels by conveying the essence of the holiday. 

Plus, who associates barbecue with Thanksgiving? BBQGuys masterfully invites itself to the table. The copy artfully shifts thoughts to gatherings beyond Turkey Day — the types of joyful experiences that BBQGuys is in business to help foster.  

While the brand reserves most space for expressing gratitude and stirring up emotions, it leaves room at the end for self-promotion.
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Thanksgiving email idea #2: tie your brand into the festivities

If making your brand pertinent was a sport, investment technology company Betterment takes first place. The brand shows you can position your product when it seemingly has nothing in common with the holiday.

What makes this Thanksgiving email newsletter grab and keep attention:

1. Humor around common Thanksgiving gripes makes it relatable. If your brand skews cheeky or strays from convention, follow Betterment’s lead. 
2. The brand’s skillful self-insertion is captivating. Bravo to the clever mind(s) behind the Q&A section. 

The entire copy sets the stage for steering readers to Betterment’s refer-a-friend program.  
 

Thanksgiving email idea #3: go behind the scenes

It’s fun to peek behind the curtain. Use Thanksgiving to show your brand's human side. 

Brandless leverages the “thank you” note approach while extending an invitation into its world. This email message pops with candid photos and professional images of food and family mixed in between. 

Dust off your behind-the-scenes photos and showcase the owner/founder or employees. Authenticity goes a long way toward making your brand relatable and trustworthy.  
 

Thanksgiving email idea #4: align with holiday traditions

Thanksgiving emails go hand in hand with Shopify stores selling food, beverages, and serving ware.  

They can also work for food delivery services, as Postmates demonstrates with its light-hearted take. 

What makes this email engaging: 

1. A prominent hero image. Two elements snatch attention: an oversized photo of a Thanksgiving staple and an extra-large and ambiguous headline that piques curiosity.  
2. Supporting copy. Continue reading, and the message comes together. That is, ditch the festivities after you put in an acceptable amount of time, order the food you want, and enjoy it in the comfort of your home. 

From a big-picture standpoint, Postmates considered how it could be relevant on a holiday that traditionally doesn’t include food delivery.  
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Thanksgiving email idea #5: share expertise

We love it when brands serve their audience with educational or helpful content. The founder of Perfect Locks passes along value while wishing subscribers a “Happy Thanksgiving.”  

She offers two gifts that correlate with her background, brand and the holiday season: 

1. A turkey recipe with an Indian-infused twist
2. Hairstyling inspiration for upcoming holiday soirees 

It’s always good to showcase your brand as more than just a shopping destination.
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Thanksgiving newsletter subject line ideas

You can have the best Thanksgiving email idea and execute the design flawlessly, but you risk low open rates with a lackluster email subject line. 

Here are some email subject lines to copy and paste. Tweak as you’d like:

• Carving out time to say thanks!
• Gratitude from our family to yours
• Friends like you make our Turkey Day 🦃
• Stuffing our newsletter with thanks for you!
• What we’re thankful for  🤎
• Gobble up this newsletter of thanks
• A slice of gratitude 🙏
• Thanksgiving cheer from our crew to you!
• Thankful for our community

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Reach subscribers this Thanksgiving with Seguno

Consider modeling one of the above approaches to Thanksgiving email newsletters or contemplating how your brand can sit at the proverbial table. 

Snatch a Thanksgiving newsletter template from Seguno if you’re in a rush or need an expert’s touch. Every template is customizable and free to paid users. 

Whether a Thanksgiving email pays dividends revenue-wise or not, it’s an opportunity to differentiate yourself from the pack and engage with your subscribers.