Thanksgiving isn’t only a family holiday, it’s the unofficial kickoff to the biggest shopping stretch of the year.
For small businesses, it’s a chance to connect before the noise of Black Friday.
And the best way to do that? Print what people can touch, keep, and remember.
Flyers pinned to community boards. Postcards in mailboxes. Coasters sliding across café tables.
This is the season when tangible marketing makes customers pause, long enough to notice you.
Flyers: The Local Hero of Thanksgiving Marketing
Thanksgiving flyers remain one of the most effective, and affordable, tools for neighborhood outreach.
Tell a Seasonal Story
Instead of a generic “Sale 20 % Off,” frame your message around gratitude and giving:
“We’re thankful for our community, come celebrate with 10 % off everything handmade.”
Where Flyers Work Best
- Bulletin boards at local coffee shops or gyms
- Checkout counters of partner stores
- Office breakrooms and church foyers
- Holiday events and markets
Design yours using the Flyers tool to choose glossy or matte finishes and see a 3D preview before ordering.
Keep text large and legible, bold headlines, one image, one offer.
Remember, holiday colors pop best on warm neutrals like cream or kraft.
Related read: Flyers That Sell: 7 Proven Tricks to Make Yours Convert
Postcards: Thank-You Notes That Also Sell
Thanksgiving postcards are powerful because they combine gratitude + promotion in one small rectangle.
Direct-Mail Postcards
Mail 5 × 7 cards to your best customers the week before Thanksgiving.
On one side: a warm message.
On the other: a coupon code or event invite.
Front: “We’re thankful for you.”
Back: “Enjoy 15 % off through Nov 28, Happy Thanksgiving!”
In-Store Handouts
Use smaller Postcards at checkout to encourage future visits: “Bring this card back in December for a free gift wrap.”
Design Tips
- Add subtle Thanksgiving imagery (leaves, pumpkins, candles) without overcrowding.
- Use script fonts for warmth but keep headlines in serif or sans-serif for readability.
- Include your logo subtly, this isn’t an ad; it’s appreciation.
Coasters: Small Circles With Big Impact
Restaurants, breweries, cafés, and salons can turn Coasters into conversation pieces.
Holiday Message Ideas
- “Sip, smile, and shop local.”
- “Thanks for making this year so sweet.”
- “Pumpkin spice and everything nice, Happy Thanksgiving!”
Add a QR code that links to your website or a gratitude video from your team.
Coasters make perfect mini-billboards, no pressure, just presence.
Gratitude-Driven Campaign Ideas
The “Thankful Wall”
Print blank postcards that customers can fill with what they’re thankful for. Display them in your store window or on social media.
The “Pass It Forward” Promo
Include two flyers in every purchase, one for your customer, one for a friend. It multiplies reach organically.
The “Community Cup” Event
Partner with a local café or brewery and co-brand coasters for one weekend. Each drink served carries your logo + a thank-you message.
These ideas combine print with emotion, an unbeatable mix during Thanksgiving.
Print Decor & Experience Marketing
Thanksgiving isn’t only about promotions, it’s about atmosphere.
- Frame mini posters with gratitude quotes near your entrance.
- Use custom table tents or rack cards for seasonal menus.
- Include a printed message with every to-go order or gift bag.
Customers remember experiences, not discounts.
The goal: make every printed piece feel like part of your brand’s thank-you.
Story Time: A Local Florist That Flourished
A small florist in Denver printed 250 Thanksgiving postcards featuring fall arrangements and a heartfelt note:
“Your support keeps our petals blooming. Enjoy 10 % off this week.”
They mailed them to past customers one week before the holiday.
Result: 40 walk-ins, 17 online orders, and a fully booked Thanksgiving weekend.
Sometimes gratitude is the most profitable campaign you can run.
How Print Sets the Mood for December
Thanksgiving print materials double as a soft launch for your holiday marketing.
Keep designs versatile: autumn tones that blend easily into early Christmas décor.
Transition messaging smoothly:
“Thankful today. Festive tomorrow.”
After Thanksgiving, your flyers can pivot into Black Friday and Small Business Saturday promos without starting from scratch.
Combine Print + Digital for Maximum Reach
- Add a QR code linking to a Thanksgiving video or a charity you’re supporting.
- Include your social handles on every flyer and postcard.
- Share behind-the-scenes posts of your printed materials being packed or displayed.
Print drives authenticity; digital amplifies it.
Quick Design Checklist
✔ Warm, welcoming colors (orange, burgundy, gold)
✔ Clean fonts and ample white space
✔ Real photos of staff or customers
✔ Short, emotional copy (< 25 words)
✔ Logo + contact info always visible
✔ Call to action: “Visit us,” “Bring this card,” “Share your thanks”
Cross-Sell Your Holiday Offerings
Thanksgiving sets up the next phase, holiday gifting. At the bottom of every printed piece, tease what’s coming:
“Watch for our Holiday Gift Cards, launching Nov 25.”
Or include a mini image of your upcoming Christmas flyers or New Year cards. This builds anticipation and keeps customers connected.
Final Thought
Gratitude isn’t meant to be quiet. It’s meant to be shared, printed, and passed along.
Thanksgiving is your chance to remind customers why they love doing business with you, not because of the discount, but because of the feeling they get when they walk through your door.
So print that feeling.
Hang it on a wall.
Mail it to their homes.
Slide it under their coffee cup.
Because long after the sales end, your printed words of thanks will still be sitting on someone’s counter, reminding them that you cared enough to put it on paper.
