Thanksgiving Email Marketing Templates: Proven Examples to Boost Holiday Sales

The season of pumpkin pies, family tables, and last-minute gift hunts is nearly here, and Thanksgiving continues to be one of the most valuable marketing windows of the year.

If you have something to sell, email marketing is a powerful tool to spread holiday cheer and boost your sales during this festive season.

Email remains one of the highest-ROI channels for driving both immediate seasonal purchases and long-term customer loyalty.

In this article, we will explore:

• Why brands should capitalize on Thanksgiving for their marketing
• Creative Thanksgiving email marketing examples for inspiration
• Customizable Thanksgiving email marketing templates you can use now
• How to effectively run Thanksgiving email campaigns

Thanksgiving Marketing in 2025: Why Brands Shouldn’t Miss Out On It 

Let’s look at the most recent data so you can plan with confidence.

• Thanksgiving single-day online spending is growing. In 2024 U.S. consumers spent $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, an increase of roughly 8.8% year-over-year, signaling that shoppers continue to embrace earlier holiday deals. Adobe Newsroom

• Cyber Week still drives massive online sales. The five-day Thanksgiving→Cyber Monday period (Cyber Week) produced about $41.1 billion in online spending in 2024, with Cyber Monday alone reaching $13.3 billion — meaning your Thanksgiving emails are part of a multiday buying cycle, not a single day. Adobe Newsroom

• Overall online holiday sales jumped in 2024. Adobe’s full Nov-Dec 2024 online holiday total came in at $241.4 billion (≈ +8.7% YoY), underscoring sustained demand for online deals across the season. Use this as context when setting revenue targets and attribution windows. Digital Commerce 360

• Huge shopper counts: scale matters. The NRF/Prosper survey estimated about 197 million Americans shopped across the Thanksgiving weekend in 2024 — the second-highest number on record — which highlights the sheer scale and audience available for timely email outreach. National Retail Federation+1

• Mobile is dominant and growing. Mobile devices accounted for over half of online holiday revenue in 2024 (Adobe reports mobile revenue share ~54.5%), so design your Thanksgiving emails and landing pages with mobile first in mind — short subject lines, single-column layouts, fast links and large CTAs. Adobe for Business

• Outlook for 2025: steady but cautious. Major forecasters expect holiday growth to cool in 2025 compared with the post-pandemic surge: Deloitte projects overall holiday retail sales growth of about +2.9% to +3.4% for the season, while expecting e-commerce growth in the 7–9% range. That means promotions still work, but consumers may be selectively price-sensitive — so tailor your offers accordingly. Deloitte

What this means for your Thanksgiving emails in 2025:

Shoppers are starting earlier, buying heavily on mobile, and responding to multiday deals.

Your best strategy is to combine a gratitude-led message (brand loyalty) with timebound incentives (sales + urgency) and mobile-optimized creative.

Clearly, small and big businesses alike should capitalize on Thanksgiving for their marketing and can do so effectively through email campaigns.

Let’s see how this helps:

Fostering gratitude and connection

Thanksgiving is the perfect time for brands to express their gratitude to their customers.

By sending out heartfelt Thanksgiving-themed emails, businesses can foster a sense of connection and appreciation. 

Sharing thanks demonstrates that you value your customers beyond just their purchases.

Boosting customer loyalty

When you send Thanksgiving emails to your customers, they feel valued.

It shows that you care about them and want to participate in their joy of the holiday season. 

And when customers feel appreciated, they are more likely to remain loyal to your brand.

This loyalty can lead to repeat business and referrals, which are invaluable for any company.

Seasonal relevance

Thanksgiving marketing is a good attempt to remain seasonally relevant. 

As the holiday season begins, customers are more inclined to engage with content that reflects the time of year. 

Thanksgiving-themed emails are a great way to tap into this seasonal enthusiasm.

Generating sales and promotions

Thanksgiving is a time for shopping and special deals. People love buying gifts for their loved ones. 

By creating Thanksgiving email marketing campaigns that promote sales, discounts, and limited-time offers, you can drive more revenue for your business. 

Customers are actively looking for deals during this time, and your emails can help them find what they need.

Read also: Thanksgiving Landing Pages: Design Tips, Free Templates

Types of Thanksgiving Email Examples in 2025

Now, let us take a look at the different kinds of Thanksgiving emails that some creative brands have used to boost their business.

1. Personalized ‘Thank You’ emails

Send personalized thank you emails to your customers, expressing your gratitude for their support.

Include a special Thanksgiving message, and consider offering a discount or special offer as a token of your appreciation.

Here’s a classic Thanksgiving email example from Artifact Uprising. 

Artifact Uprising is your trusted partner in preserving cherished memories with exquisite printed photo gifts, books, and more.

Their tagline, “Make It Meaningful,” encapsulates their mission beautifully, and they have done it once again with their Thanksgiving email.

Kicking things off with a simple and heartfelt subject line, “Just Thanks,” this email radiates warmth and gratitude from the get-go.

What follows is a personalized message that goes beyond the ordinary to express their heartfelt appreciation.

The email doesn’t stop at words; it beautifully weaves visuals into the narrative.

At its heart is a captivating image: a Thanksgiving table scene and a visual feast that harmoniously resonates with the overarching theme of gratitude.

2. Holiday guides

Offer valuable content such as Thanksgiving recipes, holiday tips, or gift guides that are relevant to your industry. 

This not only provides value to your audience but also positions your brand as an expert in your field.

In 2021, 34% of Americans planned to travel for Thanksgiving, which is over a third of Americans.

So, by default, the travel industry should indulge in running Thanksgiving marketing campaigns. 

See how Travel + Leisure does it. 

Travel + Leisure is a travel magazine based in New York City, New York, with an impressive readership of 4.8 million travel enthusiasts. 

It sends out regular newsletters to its subscribers with trip ideas, flight sales, city guides, hotel picks, and travel tips from the experts.

As the holiday season approaches, T + L thoughtfully curated a holiday planner that spans from Halloween to Thanksgiving and straight through to Christmas. 

People who are looking to travel abroad for Thanksgiving plans know where to click. 

Read also: Password Reset Email Templates Examples to Inspire Your Own

3. Giveaways and contests

Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of holiday merriment, right? 

Run Thanksgiving-themed contests or giveaways through your email campaigns and inject some happy vibes. 

Encourage subscribers to participate for a chance to win prizes that are either season-themed or tied to your fantastic products. 

And guess who’s a pro at this game? Canva! 

Canva is an Australia-based multinational graphic design platform that helps its users create social media graphics and presentations.

With the holiday season in full swing, Canva decided to kick off the much-anticipated #CanvaDesignChallenge, centered around the theme of ‘Happy Holidays.’

This creative challenge invites participants to draw inspiration from a multitude of festive occasions, whether it’s Christmas, Hannukah, Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, or any other occasion. 

The winning design gets showcased on a billboard – a dream come true for any designer!

Canva had clearly laid out the contest rules and winning prizes to avoid any confusion.

It also added a few design elements to make it more interesting.

Read also: Black Friday SaaS Deals 2025: Top Offers to Grab Before They Expire

4. Themed email campaigns

Sending a simple Thanksgiving-themed email campaign with festive visuals and content is enough. 

Include a warm message and relevant symbols or images of Thanksgiving to connect with your customers.

When I received a Thanksgiving email from THE HOTH, it instantly caught my attention. 

THE HOTH runs a full-service SEO agency in Chicago, renowned for helping clients rank on top in the competitive world of online search. 

It also provides tools that provide a comprehensive analysis of your website. 

Thanksgiving email starts with a mouthwatering image of a cake, prompting you to “pass the SEO.”

They sure know how to sprinkle a little wordplay into their messages.

But beyond the playfulness, they have also conveyed a heartfelt gratitude to their valued customers. 

THE HOTH also uses this opportunity to promote their Black Friday Sales at the end – the perfect time to indulge in some good holiday deals.

It’s a classic combination that is hard to resist!

Read also: Black Friday Marketing Emails: 9 Unique Examples

5. Deals and promotions

Leverage the holiday shopping spirit by launching a Thanksgiving sale. 

Send an email announcing your special promotions, and make sure to include eye-catching visuals, compelling copy, and clear Call to Actions (CTAs). 

Consider offering Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals as well to extend the shopping experience.

Here’s an example of how to do it.

Fiverr is an online marketplace connecting freelancers with individuals and businesses seeking their expertise.

This platform offers an extensive array of services and educational courses to help individuals acquire diverse skills.

Now, let’s talk about this fantastic email from Fiverr. They have nailed it from the subject line to the tempting offer within.

First, the subject line is pure brilliance – ‘Your Thanksgiving gift is getting cold…’ It’s impossible not to be intrigued! When you open the email, a captivating image immediately catches your eye.

The image tells you exactly what’s on the menu: Learning. As you scroll down, Fiverr unveils its irresistible offer – a 40% discount on all its courses and programs, along with a handy promo code.

But they don’t stop there; they have ensured that their CTA is clear and compels readers to click without a second thought. This email is a feast for the eyes and the mind!

👉 Make your Thanksgiving emails shine with our Thanksgiving email templates.

Read also: Heartfelt Memorial Day Email Templates for Thoughtful Campaigns

Thanksgiving Email Marketing Best Practices in 2025

Before you use these templates, here are proven tactics, subject lines, timing, and offers that top brands use to maximize conversions.

1. Craft subject lines with clarity, emotion & urgency

• Use a mix of gratitude and incentive: e.g. “Grateful for You — Here’s 20% Off 🦃”

• Keep subject lines short (30–45 characters) so they show cleanly on mobile

• Use power words (Exclusive, Limited, Yours) and subtle urgency (“Ends tonight,” “Last few hours”)

• A/B test subject line formats (emoji vs plain, question vs statement) to see what resonates

• Avoid clickbait — subject line should reflect the offer inside

2. Follow a strategic send schedule & cadence

• Send 2–3 emails during the Thanksgiving stretch (e.g. pre-day, day-of, reminder) but avoid flooding your list

• Send your “pre-holiday” promotional email ~ 2–4 days before Thanksgiving; follow up with a “last chance” or reminder on the day

• For the day-of email, aim to send mid-morning (9 AM–11 AM local time) or early afternoon (12 PM–2 PM) depending on your audience’s habits

• For post-Thanksgiving messages (e.g. “Thanks + extended offers”) send mid to late evening or the following day

• Use timezone segmentation or send windows so emails hit inboxes at ideal local times

3. Segment, personalize & soften promotions with gratitude

• Divide your list: e.g. recent purchasers, frequent buyers, dormant users, VIPs

• For high-value or loyal customers: send an “early access” or VIP Thanksgiving offer

• For infrequent buyers: start with a warm “thank you” email and then layer in a discount

• Personalize subject/greeting with first name, cart history, or past interests

• Use dynamic content inside the email — e.g. “Here’s something we think you’ll like based on your last purchase”

4. Choose offers that balance generosity and scarcity

• Use time-sensitive offers: e.g. “20% off today only,” “Ends at midnight”

• Flash deals & countdown timers inside emails work well to prompt quick decisions

• Bundle discounts (“buy 2 get 1,” “bundle + free gift”) to increase average order value

• Free shipping or “spend $X get free shipping” thresholds are powerful during holiday rush

• Make the discount feel like a benefit or gift, not just a sale (e.g. “Our way of giving thanks to you”)

5. Design mobile-first, fast, and focused

• Use single-column layouts, large CTAs, and touch-friendly buttons

• Keep copy short and scannable — use bullets, bolding, and short paragraphs

• Preload images and test on various devices — slow images = lost conversions

• Make sure key offers/CTAs appear “above the fold” (visible without scrolling)

• Use fallback alt text for images and ensure emails degrade gracefully

6. Use urgency cues & behavioral triggers

• Incorporate countdown timers or “X hours left” labels

• Use behavioral triggers or automated flows: e.g. cart abandoners get a follow-up Thanksgiving reminder

• Send “last chance” reminders close to expiration

• Trigger upsell or cross-sell follow-ups after a purchase (e.g. “You bought A — here’s a matching accessory deal”)

7. Test, analyze & iterate

• A/B test subject lines, CTAs, email layout variants, offer tiers

• Track open rates, click-through, conversion rate, average order value, and revenue per email

• Compare performance across segments (new vs returning, mobile vs desktop)

• After the campaign, export data and derive lessons to refine your holiday roadmap for next year

By blending gratitude with smart timing, irresistible offers, and mobile-first design, your Thanksgiving emails can cut through the holiday clutter and drive real results.

Keep testing, keep refining, and you’ll turn seasonal shoppers into long-term loyal customers.

Thanksgiving Email Marketing Templates in EngageBay 

Thanksgiving 2025 is just around the corner and here are the most effective templates to stand out in crowded inboxes.

Running Thanksgiving email campaigns has never been easier, thanks to the array of powerful email marketing tools at our fingertips. 

These tools simplify the entire process – from designing and scheduling emails to tracking their performance, making it a breeze for businesses to connect with their audience during this special season.

What’s even better is that many of these email marketing tools offer Thanksgiving email templates that can be effortlessly customized to suit your brand’s unique voice and style. 

With just a few clicks, you can tailor these templates to convey your heartfelt Thanksgiving messages, share special offers, or engage your subscribers in a festive way. 

If you are feeling particularly creative, you can even take inspiration from these Thanksgiving email marketing templates to craft your own, ensuring your Thanksgiving emails stand out in the inbox. 

Here are just a few examples of Thanksgiving email templates you can find in EngageBay:

Thanksgiving Email Template: 20% Discount Sale 

Thanksgiving Email Template: Refer & Earn + Discount

Thanksgiving Email Template: New Arrivals

Thanksgiving Email Template: Gift Discount

👉 Boost your email marketing this Thanksgiving with our free, customizable email templates.

Read also: Giving Tuesday Email Templates to Maximize Donations

How to Create and Send Your Thanksgiving Email Templates Using EngageBay

Creating and sending your Thanksgiving email template using EngageBay is a straightforward process. Here’s a quick guide to get you started. 

Step 1: Choose an email template

Start by logging into your EngageBay account and navigating to the email marketing section. 

Here, you can choose from a variety of pre-designed Thanksgiving email templates that align with your brand’s message and style.

Alternatively, you can create your own from scratch if you prefer a more customized approach.

Read also: Memorable Mother’s Day Email Templates to Delight Your Audience

Step 2: Edit your design with the drag-and-drop builder

With your selected template, you can easily tailor the design to your liking.

EngageBay’s drag-and-drop builder allows you to add, edit, or remove elements with just a few clicks. 

Customize the visuals, fonts, colors, and layout to match your brand’s identity and the Thanksgiving theme.

This step allows you to add your unique touch to the template and ensure it resonates with your audience.

Step 3: Team collaboration for final design

Collaboration with the team can help refine your Thanksgiving email template.

EngageBay’s platform enables team members to collaborate on the design. 

You can invite team members to review and provide feedback, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure everyone is aligned on the final look and content.

Read also: Launch Stunning Campaigns With These Holiday Email Templates

Step 4: Save as a template

Once you are satisfied with your Thanksgiving email design, save it as a template within EngageBay.

This way, you can easily access it for future campaigns, saving you time and effort for festive campaigns. 

Step 5: Run your email marketing campaign

When your Thanksgiving email marketing template is ready, it’s time to launch your campaign.

EngageBay provides tools for segmenting your audience, scheduling the perfect send time, and tracking the performance of your emails. 

You can easily track different KPIs like open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics to gauge the success of your Thanksgiving campaign.

Based on the report, you can even run A/B testing and see what resonates with your audiences more. 

Read also: Romantic Valentine’s Day Email Templates to Woo Subscribers

Wrap Up 

Thanksgiving email marketing templates offer businesses a wonderful opportunity to connect with their audience during this special holiday season. 

As we have discussed, crafting the perfect Thanksgiving email involves a combination of creativity, personalization, and strategic design. 

With the help of user-friendly platforms like EngageBay, designing and delivering heartfelt Thanksgiving emails has never been easier.

Using these Thanksgiving email templates, brands can express their gratitude, offer exclusive deals, and provide valuable content, ultimately driving the success of their Thanksgiving marketing campaigns.

So, as the holiday approaches, embrace the power of Thanksgiving email marketing templates and share the joy of the season with your valued customers.

Start planning your Thanksgiving marketing campaign in advance and watch your brand’s connection with your audience flourish during this heartwarming time of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving in advance!

👉 Ready to launch your Thanksgiving campaign? Use EngageBay to design, send, and track these templates in minutes.