Thanksgiving Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses (2025 Playbook)
Thanksgiving week is a marathon of gravy, gratitude, and “just one more email.” Use this 2025 playbook to plan timing, show up locally, and turn gratitude into measurable sales without diving headfirst into discount madness.
Last year, roughly 197 million shoppers hit the Cyber Five stretch, and U.S. online sales topped $41.1B, according to the National Retail Federation and Digital Commerce360. Translation: attention is pricey, intent is hot. Be easy to find, thoughtful, and crystal clear on next steps.
TL;DR · Quick Jump
Plan smarter, not harder.
You don’t need a 20-tab spreadsheet to pull off holiday marketing. This timeline breaks down what to focus on each week starting with early November prep through your Small Business Saturday victory lap—so you can plan ahead, stay sane, and actually enjoy a slice of pie in peace.
Your 2025 Thanksgiving to Small Business Saturday Timeline
If you’ve ever tried to baste a turkey while answering DMs, you already know: Timing saves your sanity (and your inventory). Use these dates for:
-
Nov 1–10: Prep and visibility
-
Nov 11–20: VIP + list growth
-
Nov 21–27: Gratitude + reminders
-
Nov 29 (Small Business Saturday): Keep it simple, keep it local
-
Dec 1–2: Last-chance bundles, same clear offer
| Dates | Focus | Primary Channel | How You'll Know it's Working |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1–10 | Refresh this guide; seed UGC; set your Google “Offer” post | Blog, Google Business Profile | Pageviews up; GBP views/clicks/calls rising |
| Nov 11–20 | VIP preview; capture SMS opt-ins; stage bundles | Email, SMS | Opt-ins; 1–2 testable subject lines locked |
| Nov 21–27 | Gratitude offer; schedule SBS reminders | Email, IG Stories | Click-throughs; saves; warm traffic to gift pages |
| Nov 29 (SBS) | Community moment with one clear perk | In-store + Social | Redemptions; POS lift; UGC volume |
| Dec 1–2 | Last-chance bundles; consistent offer | Email, Site | AOV; conversions; low churn |
When should a small business start Thanksgiving marketing?
Begin in early November; increase touches Thanksgiving week and anchor Small Business Saturday.
Togetherness sells. Use “gratitude” prompts to source UGC you can reshare all weekend.
Show Up Locally: Google Business Profile & Maps
Shoppers aren’t chasing clues. They’re asking one thing: “Are you open and is this worth the drive?” Update your Google Business Profile with holiday hours, an Offer post, 3–5 giftable products, and a fresh storefront photo. Google Maps increasingly surfaces product info, so “in stock” is a conversion nudge—not a nice-to-have.
- Offer post: headline, valid dates, one-line terms, link to your gift page.
- Products: benefit-first copy (not just specs), current price, pickup info.
- Photos: show the door, hours, and any window signage clearly.
Swap in a current storefront photo; include your hours and an offer sign where possible.
Make your offer visible IRL with Static Window Clings
👊 Perfect for “Open Thanksgiving,” “SBS perk today,” or “Order pickup available.”
Do I need to list products in my Google Business Profile?
If you have giftable SKUs, yes—list a few heroes and keep it tidy. It’s a low-lift way to catch last-mile shoppers who prefer pickup today over shipping someday.
Email & SMS: Cadence That Respects Humans
We love a good subject line, but restraint wins. Use mid-week sends as your control and test morning windows (7am or 11am). During holiday weeks, an early evening send (~7pm) can pull its weight with couch-scrollers. Keep the offer consistent across channels—the clarity is the conversion.
- Email #1 (Nov 1–10): Theme + gratitude. CTA: join VIP for early access.
- Email #2 (Nov 11–20): Sneak peek bundles/gifts. CTA: claim VIP window.
- Thanksgiving Week: A true “thank-you” + value-add (free magnet or sticker set).
- SBS Morning: One-liner SMS + Story countdown. Simple redemption (show SMS or scan QR).
- Dec 1–2: Last-chance bundles; no discount gymnastics.
💡Tip: Remember what we said about timing??? It matters here, too (local time): mid-week as your control, 7:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. tests, and a 7:00 p.m. couch-scroll send during the week.
Lead with gratitude. Include a small, useful gift—like a fridge-worthy magnet—over deeper discounting.
How many sends is too many?
If your content stops adding value, you’ve hit the line. Three emails + one SMS over the week performs well for most lists—adjust by engagement, not fear.
UGC & Community: Gratitude Stories That Scale
People trust people. Prompt customers to share a short clip/photo finishing “I’m grateful for…”. Feature the best on Stories and in your SBS recap email. It’s wholesome, brand-safe, and conveniently persuasive.
- Create a simple prompt graphic + Reel template your followers can copy.
- Pick 3 winners; send a seasonal sticker or magnet. Ask permission to reuse content later.
- Save top entries to a Story Highlight (“Grateful 2025”).
💡Tip: If participation is slow, seed entries with team/friends and repost early. Social proof beats silence.
Ask for one photo or short clip that says “this is us.”
Repost quickly; momentum is a feature.
Need a small but delightful prize? Try including a fridge-worthy magnet—the freebie that keeps working. Or bundle a seasonal sticker set for gift tables.
Print Assets That Make Offers Real
Digital gets them interested; print gets them moving. Use low-cost, high-visibility pieces that carry your offer from doorway to fridge.
- Static Window Clings → “Open Thanksgiving,” “SBS perk today,” “Pickup available.”
- Coasters → QR to VIP list or perks page at checkout or tables.
- Magnets → a thank-you that lives on the fridge (add a short URL under the QR for accessibility).
- Stickers/Labels → seal gift wrap or bundle packs; limited-run seasonal mini set.
- Banners/Shelf Talkers → wayfinding for gift tables and last-chance inventory.
Ready to kit out your storefront? Browse Window Clings, Coasters, Magnets, and Stickers.
Do QR codes still work?
Yes! Make sure they land on a fast, scannable page and include a short URL beneath for folks who prefer typing.
Small Business Saturday: Your Community Moment
SBS is where all the pre-work pays off. Keep it simple: one perk, clear hours, easy redemption. And remember—since 2010, shoppers have poured roughly $201B into SBS-day small businesses according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The sentiment is real; meet it halfway.
- Morning: SMS reminder + Story countdown.
- Midday: Repost UGC; restate the perk; show remaining inventory.
- Close: Last-call Story with tomorrow’s plan (gift wrap, bundle restock, etc.).
Make redemption brain-dead simple with a “show this text” flow and a visible sign near checkout (hello, Clings and Stickers).
What works best on Small Business Saturday?
Community-centric offers and gratitude perks. Choose a free magnet or sticker bundle paired with local storytelling and clear hours.
You’ve now got a full Thanksgiving-to-SBS game plan—complete with the perfect balance of gratitude, good timing, and just enough glitter to make your offers stick. Remember: your customers aren’t looking for another discount—they’re looking for connection (and maybe a cute magnet that makes them smile at breakfast). So, take these tactics, put your spin on them, and turn “holiday hustle” into “holiday habit.”
If you’re ready to bring your campaign to life, browse our custom stickers, magnets, and clings—because thoughtful marketing deserves equally thoughtful printing.
Last updated: October 2025
- Stomp Stickers
