Do you love the idea of adding a little extra touch of class and style to your Thanksgiving celebration? If so, invitations are a great way to do just that! While they may not be common, Thanksgiving invitations are a fun way to enhance your holiday get-together. Sending invites gets your guests excited for the gathering and helps you to be a better-prepared host or hostess.
Host & Hostess Etiquette for Thanksgiving Invitations
If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving event, you may have a few questions regarding etiquette. We’ve got the answers!
Who should be invited to my Thanksgiving Celebration?
Thanksgiving holidays are typically spent with friends and/or family. You can choose to host friends only, family only, or a mix of both. Since it’s a family-oriented holiday you may plan to invite guests of all ages.
When should Thanksgiving Invitations be sent out?
To give guests enough time to plan to attend, invitations should be sent out 6 to 8 weeks before the event. You can also extend an invitation to others at a later time, too. Thanksgiving is a time that folks gather together to enjoy a meal, so if you know someone may not have plans, it’s nice to invite them to attend even if they weren’t originally on the guest list. Please allow enough time for order processing & shipping time if hard copy custom invitations are being ordered.
Guest Etiquette for Thanksgiving Invitations
If you’ve been invited to a Thanksgiving get-together, you may have a few questions about proper etiquette. Luckily, we’ve got the answers:
When should I RSVP to a Thanksgiving Invite?
Party hosts need time to prepare for the celebration, so the sooner that you can RSVP, the better. This gives them the opportunity to purchase and prep the right amount of food, as well as to plan the fun activities well in advance.
Let them know if you can attend, and also if you’ll be arriving late. If you’d like to bring a companion or another guest, it’s polite to let them know and give them a heads-up so they can have a place ready for them. If you’d like to offer to bring a dessert or side dish, that would be thoughtful and surely much appreciated!
Should I bring a gift or offer to bring food?
While you’re not obligated to bring a gift, it’s a very classy gesture to come with a host/hostess gift as a show of gratitude. Preparing and hosting a get-together is no easy task so a simple gesture will be well-received.
Another option is to offer to bring a dish for the meal or to simply arrive with one. You could bring a side-dish, a dessert item, or even a bottle of wine.
The Basics of Thanksgiving Invitations
As with any event or party invitation, it’s important to include the essential party details that guests need to know.
In addition to a stylish invite that will get guests excited for the fun, you have to share some key info, including:
DATE(S)
When is the party being held? Will it be on the Thanksgiving holiday, or on another day?
TIME
Include the time that guests should arrive. If hosting at a venue, you may want to include the timeframe that you’ve booked the venue for so that guests know when to arrive and when to plan on leaving.
VENUE/ LOCATION/ ADDRESS
List the address, whether it’s your home address or a venue. Include the venue name. You may also consider including directions for guests traveling from out of town.
HOST/RSVP
Be sure that your name is clear, as the host, as well as your contact info. You can include your phone number or email address. If you need to receive a response before a certain date, let guests know that you’d appreciate their RSVP by that date.
PARTY THEME*
Consider including the theme to make it a bit more fun for guests. They may want to bring along a dish or other item related to the chosen party theme.
*Optional Information to Include
Do’s & Don’ts for Thanksgiving Invitations
You want your Thanksgiving invitations to hit all the right notes and get guests excited for the upcoming event.
As you design and create your Thanksgiving invitations, keep these must-do invite tips in mind:
DO Coordinate your Thanksgiving invites with the party theme. Think Colors and/or Design!
DON’T Misspell your guests’ names! 😉
DO Include all the important & necessary basic info (see above for The Basics of Thanksgiving Invitations).
DO Proofread your Thanksgiving invites before they are sent. Typos or a date misprint look sloppy and careless.
DO Send out the invitations at least 4 weeks in advance for an informal Thanksgiving get-together or 6 weeks in advance if you are hosting a more formal Thanksgiving Celebration.
DO Use engaging language. Have fun with your Thanksgiving invitations – Remember, you want each and every invited guest to want to be at your celebration!
Wording Examples for Your Thanksgiving Invitations
You’ve chosen your invitations and are ready to write them out but aren’t quite sure what words to say. Don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with examples of Thanksgiving invitation wording to it just the right note for your celebration:
Simple & Classic Thanksgiving Invite Wording
Right to the point but classy and classic, this wording will let guests know you’d be grateful for their company at your Thanksgiving event.
Thanksgiving Open House Wording Examples
Hosting an open house where all are welcome? This wording will give guests that warm and welcoming feeling.
Wording for Thanksgiving Potluck Invitations
Host a hearty potluck meal and let guests know you’d love for them to come and bring a delicious dish with this wording.
Friendsgiving Dinner Invitation Wording
Gather your friends together for a delicious dinner and fun festivities with this Friendsgiving style celebration wording.
Hard Copy Paper Invitation versus Online Invitation
Before you can send out your invites, you need to choose the type and style of invitation to send out for your Thanksgiving soiree. The two main types to select from are hard copy invites and online invites. Each has benefits and drawbacks to consider, so ultimately choosing the right one will come down to your personal preference, as well as your budget.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each invitation type:
Hard Copy Pros
- Offers a personalized touch that guests can appreciate
- An incredible array of types and styles to select from
- Gives guests a tangible reminder of the upcoming event that they can hold onto
Hard Copy Cons
- Takes time to design, address, and send through snail mail
- Some guests may not receive the invite if it gets lost in the mail
- Costs more to purchase and send with stamps
Online Pros
- Easy to send off to your guest list with just a click
- Variety of designs to choose from to meet any style and suit any budget
- Receive RSVPs in real time to track the guest list
Online Cons
- Not as personal as a hard copy invitation
- Some guests may not use text messages or email
- Some guests may not receive their invite if the contact info is incorrect
Hard Copy Thanksgiving Invite Ideas
Hard copy invitations come in a wide range of types, styles, and designs. You can create a hard copy invitation to perfectly match the vibe and look of your Thanksgiving Day celebration.
Here are the main options for Thanksgiving invites that you can create or purchase and send to guests through the mail:
DIY Invitations
Create your very own one-of-a-kind invitation. Visit our Thanksgiving Celebration Ideas Pinterest Board for inspiration!
Handwritten Thanksgiving Invitations
Grab your pen and get to work creating beautifully handwritten invites. Guests will love the personalized touch that a handwritten invitation provides.
Computer Printout Invitation
Go the simple route with a well-designed computer printout invite. You can make plenty of copies to send in the mail, right from the comfort of home.
Generic Store Bought Invitation
Keep it as simple as can be with a generic Thanksgiving invitation. You can find them sold in packs at your local Party Supply Store or Dollar Store, so they’re very affordable, too.
Custom Thanksgiving Invitations
You can find awesome vendors on Etsy! Have an invitation designed to meet your vision for the event. It’s a great way to convey the party theme through the invitation’s look.
Online & Electronic Thanksgiving Invitations
Sending out online invitations makes reaching your guests as quick and easy as can be. From text messages to email invites, there are practical ways to give your holiday guests the info they need about the Thanksgiving festivities.
Here are our picks for the best online & electronic invite services to use:
Minted
Select from hundreds of elegant designs to find the Minted invite that suits your party style. You can send them out online or have them printed in a hard copy format. Track your guest list in real time.
Evite
Evite offers tons of great designs for party invitations. Free invites make it easy to invite everyone on your guest list without spending more than time. Create a cool invite and send it out with a quick click.
PunchBowl
Pick your favorite Punchbowl design and send your invites to everyone on your Thanksgiving guest list with a click. From free designs to paid pretty ones, you can find the right style for your celebration with PunchBowl invitations.
Paperless Post
Choose from hundreds of classy and beautiful invite designs with Paperless Post. You can keep tabs on your guest list in real time.
SmileBox
SmileBox makes sending online invites easy. Choose your favorite look, add your own photos, and even include music and animation to make it personal.
Sound the Party Horns!
Thanksgiving invites aren’t common, but they are a great way to add an extra touch of class to your holiday celebration. Guests will be even more excited about the event when they receive their invitation. Try something different this year by creating and sending beautiful invitations for your Thanksgiving get-together.pin these thanksgiving invitations for later!
