How to write a meaningful thanksgiving message to employees that truly supports onboarding

Why a thanksgiving message to employees matters so much during onboarding

Why this holiday moment is a turning point for new hires

The thanksgiving season lands at a very specific time in the employee journey. For many organizations, it comes just as new hires are still finding their place in the team, learning how the company really works, and wondering if they made the right decision. A simple thanksgiving message to employees, when done with real gratitude and not just as a generic holiday note, can quietly shape how they feel about their future with you.

During onboarding, people are highly sensitive to signals. They notice who talks to them, who ignores them, and how the company communicates. A meaningful thanksgiving message that recognizes their presence and early hard work tells them : “You are not just a headcount. You matter here.” That is the foundation of employee engagement, long before performance reviews or promotion talks.

From generic holiday wishes to a real moment of connection

Most companies send thanksgiving messages every year. Many of these messages are polite, well intentioned, and instantly forgettable. New employees receive a “Happy Thanksgiving” email that looks like every other corporate message they have seen in previous jobs. It does not help them feel valued or more connected to their new team.

What changes everything is when the thanksgiving message is clearly written with new hires in mind. When the company takes the time to express gratitude not only for long term employees, but also for those who just joined, it sends a strong signal of inclusion. It tells people : “You are already part of this story, even if you started last week.”

In practice, this can be as simple as adding a short, personal note in the office thanksgiving communication, or sending thanksgiving messages that explicitly welcome new colleagues and acknowledge the effort it takes to start a new role during a busy holiday season.

Why timing matters so much in onboarding

Onboarding is not just about paperwork and training. It is about how employees feel in the first weeks and months : safe, supported, and recognized, or isolated and unsure. Research on early tenure shows that the first 90 days are critical for long term retention and performance. A well timed thanksgiving message during this period can reinforce a sense of belonging at exactly the moment when doubts often appear.

• New hires are still testing whether the company culture matches what was promised.
• They are trying to build relationships with their team and manager.
• They are under pressure to prove themselves while still learning how things work.

In this context, sending thanksgiving messages that highlight appreciation for their early contributions and their courage to join a new environment can reduce anxiety and increase trust. It is a small gesture, but it supports the broader onboarding strategy you use throughout the year.

Thanksgiving as a signal of real employee recognition

Employee recognition is often discussed in terms of bonuses, awards, or formal programs. Yet, for someone who just joined, a short but sincere thanksgiving message can be more powerful than a complex recognition system they do not yet understand. It is a human signal, not a process.

When leaders and managers use the holiday season to express gratitude for the hard work that goes into starting a new role, they show that recognition is part of everyday work, not just a once a year event. This is especially important in organizations that want to build a culture where employees feel safe to ask questions, share ideas, and admit when they need help.

For new hires, seeing that the company takes time to send thanksgiving messages that mention learning, adaptation, and early contributions helps them feel that their efforts are visible. It also sets expectations : in this company, people notice and appreciate the work others do, even when it is still in progress.

How a thanksgiving message shapes the story of joining your company

Every employee builds a personal story about their first months in a new job. That story will influence how they talk about the company to friends, how committed they feel during difficult periods, and whether they imagine a long term future with you. The thanksgiving season often becomes one of the first emotional markers in that story.

Imagine two different experiences :

• In one company, the new hire receives a mass email with generic holiday wishes and no mention of onboarding or new employees.
• In another, they receive a thanksgiving message that thanks them for joining during a busy time, acknowledges the learning curve, and invites them to share how their first weeks have been.

Both messages take a few minutes to send. But the second one helps the employee feel that their presence is noticed and that their perspective matters. Over time, this kind of meaningful thanksgiving communication supports stronger employee engagement and reduces the risk of early turnover.

This is also where alignment with your broader talent strategy matters. If you are hiring in competitive markets or new locations, such as when exploring new job openings and local talent pools, the way you welcome people during the holiday season can become a differentiator. Candidates talk, and so do new hires.

Why a simple note can have long term impact

It is easy to underestimate the impact of a short thanksgiving message to employees. It looks like a small communication task in a busy holiday calendar. Yet, for someone who is still learning names, tools, and expectations, a well crafted note of appreciation can be the first clear sign that they joined a company that truly cares about people.

Over time, these messages employees receive during onboarding can become part of a larger ritual : a yearly moment where the company pauses to express gratitude not only for results, but for the courage it takes to start something new. When you treat thanksgiving as a strategic touchpoint in the onboarding journey, rather than a simple holiday obligation, you create a foundation for more meaningful thanksgiving practices, better employee recognition, and stronger long term relationships with your team.

Understanding what new hires really need to hear in a thanksgiving message

What new hires are really looking for in a thanksgiving note

During the onboarding period, a thanksgiving message is not just a seasonal courtesy. For many new employees, it is one of the first signals of how the company truly treats people. A short note of gratitude can either feel like a generic holiday season template or like a meaningful thanksgiving moment that confirms they made the right decision to join the team.

Research on early employee engagement shows that the first weeks are critical for long term commitment and performance (source: Society for Human Resource Management, SHRM). When you send thanksgiving messages during this time, you are shaping how employees feel about their place in the organization and how much they believe their work will be recognized.

Clarity and reassurance about their choice

New hires are often asking themselves silently : Did I join the right company ? A thoughtful thanksgiving message can help answer that question. They want to see that the company culture they were sold during recruitment is real in everyday interactions, including how leaders express gratitude.

• Reassurance that their skills and potential are truly needed
• Confirmation that the team values people, not just output
• Signals that employee recognition is part of normal work life, not a rare event

When you send thanksgiving messages that highlight why you are happy they joined, you reduce uncertainty and help employees feel more confident about the year ahead.

A sense of belonging to a real team

Onboarding can be lonely, especially if the employee is remote or joining a large company. A thanksgiving message that emphasizes the team and the collective effort helps new hires feel they are not just an individual filling a role, but part of something bigger.

New employees want to hear that :

• There is a team that will support them when they struggle
• Their presence already makes a difference, even if they are still learning
• The company appreciates collaboration, not just individual heroics

When messages to employees during the thanksgiving season mention specific projects, shared wins or even small office thanksgiving traditions, they help people feel included in the story of the organization.

Specific recognition, not vague compliments

Generic phrases like “thanks for your hard work” are easy to write but do not always land well with a new employee. During onboarding, people are still unsure which of their actions matter most. They need concrete feedback and clear recognition.

Effective thanksgiving messages for new hires usually :

• Mention a specific task, behavior or attitude you appreciated
• Connect that behavior to the company mission or team goals
• Explain briefly why their contribution already matters

This kind of personal note helps employees feel valued and shows that leaders are paying attention. It also sets expectations about what “good work” looks like in this environment, which is a core part of onboarding best practices.

Human warmth in a professional context

New hires are reading every signal to understand how human the company really is. A thanksgiving message that balances professionalism with genuine warmth can be surprisingly powerful. It tells employees that they are seen as people with a life outside work, especially during a busy holiday season.

What they often need to hear in a meaningful thanksgiving message is that :

• It is okay to take time to rest and be with family or friends
• The company respects boundaries during the thanksgiving season
• Leaders understand that this time of year can be joyful and stressful

When you express gratitude while also acknowledging the human side of the holiday, you help employees feel safe bringing their whole selves to work.

Signals of long term appreciation, not a one time gesture

New employees are not only listening to the words of a single thanksgiving message. They are trying to understand whether this kind of appreciation will continue throughout the year. They want to know if employee recognition is part of the culture or just a seasonal campaign.

In practice, that means they are looking for :

• Hints that recognition will show up in regular one to ones and team meetings
• Clarity that their growth and development will be supported over time
• Consistency between the thanksgiving note and other onboarding messages

When you send thanksgiving messages that connect to ongoing feedback, coaching and development, you show that this is not just about one happy thanksgiving email, but about a long term relationship.

Alignment with the company’s values and purpose

Onboarding is when employees are still learning what the company really stands for. A thanksgiving message is an opportunity to make those values tangible. New hires want to hear how their work connects to something meaningful, especially during a season that often prompts reflection.

They are listening for :

• How the company talks about community, customers and impact
• Whether gratitude is directed only at performance or also at learning and effort
• How leaders describe the role of the team in achieving long term goals

When your thanksgiving message to employees links appreciation to the company mission, it helps them understand why their role matters beyond daily tasks.

Clear, respectful and timely communication

New hires are also evaluating how the organization communicates. A thanksgiving message that arrives at a thoughtful time, with clear language and a respectful tone, sends a strong signal about communication standards in the company.

Some practical expectations from new employees include :

• Receiving the message before the holiday, not as an afterthought
• Language that is inclusive of different cultures and traditions
• A format that feels intentional, whether it is an email, a card or a short personal note

For many organizations, the thanksgiving season is also a moment to refine how they reach out to new hires in general. Understanding the concept of a warm call can help you design follow up conversations that extend the impact of your written message and make employees feel genuinely welcomed.

Consistency between words and actions

Finally, new employees are quick to notice any gap between what the company says in a thanksgiving message and what they experience day to day. If the note talks about gratitude and appreciation but they see no recognition in meetings, the message loses credibility.

To make employees feel that your thanksgiving messages are authentic, they need to be supported by :

• Managers who regularly express gratitude for hard work and learning efforts
• Team rituals that celebrate small wins, not only big results
• Policies that respect time off and work life balance during the holiday season

When words and actions align, a simple thanksgiving message becomes a strong signal of trust. It shows new hires that the company is serious about appreciation and employee engagement, not just sending seasonal messages employees are expected to ignore.

Key elements of an effective thanksgiving message to employees during onboarding

Anchor your message in genuine gratitude

A meaningful thanksgiving message to employees during onboarding starts with real, specific gratitude. New hires are trying to understand if the company truly values people, or if “happy thanksgiving” is just another template in a mass email.

Instead of a generic “thank you for joining our team”, connect your appreciation to something concrete :

• Recognize the courage it takes to start in a new company and adapt to a new team
• Mention the effort they have already invested in their first days or weeks
• Highlight how their presence already contributes to the company’s mission or culture

For example, a thanksgiving message can say that their questions, curiosity, or early contributions are already making a difference. This kind of employee recognition helps new employees feel valued, even if they are still learning the basics of their role.

During the holiday season, people are more sensitive to authenticity. A meaningful thanksgiving note should sound like it was written for a real person, not for a mailing list. That is why the best practices focus on clarity, warmth, and simple language rather than corporate jargon.

Make it personal, not just seasonal

New hires receive a lot of information in a short time. A thanksgiving message that feels personal cuts through the noise. It shows that the company sees them as an individual, not just as “a new employee”.

To make thanksgiving messages more personal, you can :

• Use their first day or first week as a reference point in the message
• Mention the team or department they joined and how it fits into the bigger picture
• Refer to a specific onboarding moment, such as a training session or a first project
• Add a short handwritten note or a short personal line at the end of a digital message

Even in a large company, a short personal note from a manager or HR can transform a standard office thanksgiving email into a meaningful thanksgiving gesture. When employees feel that someone took time to write to them, employee engagement and trust grow faster.

Personalization does not mean sharing private details. It means connecting the thanksgiving message to their real onboarding experience and to the work they are starting to do.

Connect gratitude to purpose and culture

For new employees, thanksgiving is a powerful moment to explain what the company stands for. A thanksgiving message to employees can do more than say “thank you” ; it can show how gratitude is part of the culture all year, not only during the thanksgiving season.

Effective thanksgiving messages often :

• Link appreciation to the company’s mission and values
• Explain how the team supports each other during busy times of the year
• Show that recognition is a normal part of work, not a rare holiday event

For example, you might explain that the company regularly celebrates milestones, recognizes hard work, and encourages peer to peer appreciation. You can even mention simple creative ways to celebrate at work that show how gratitude is expressed beyond a single holiday message.

When a thanksgiving message clearly connects gratitude to the company’s long term culture, new hires understand that this is not just a seasonal performance. It becomes a signal that they joined a place where people and recognition matter.

Balance warmth with clarity about expectations

New employees want to feel welcome, but they also want to understand what is expected of them. A strong thanksgiving message can combine appreciation with a calm, reassuring reminder of priorities for the coming weeks.

Some elements that help keep this balance :

• A warm tone that says “we are happy you are here” without pressure
• A short reminder that learning takes time and that questions are encouraged
• A clear point of contact in the team for any onboarding or work related questions
• Reassurance that it is normal not to know everything yet, especially in the first year

By combining gratitude and clarity, the thanksgiving message helps employees feel both valued and supported. It reduces anxiety during a time when many people are juggling new responsibilities, the holiday season, and personal commitments.

Highlight inclusion and recognition for everyone

Thanksgiving is not experienced in the same way by all employees. Some celebrate it, some do not, and some may be working while others are on holiday. A thoughtful thanksgiving message to employees respects this diversity while still expressing gratitude.

Key elements to consider :

• Use inclusive language that welcomes people from different cultures and traditions
• Acknowledge that this time of year can be joyful for some and difficult for others
• Recognize the hard work of employees who keep operations running during the holiday season
• Offer appreciation to remote, hybrid, and on site employees in a balanced way

When you send thanksgiving messages that recognize different realities, employees feel respected as people, not only as workers. This is especially important for new hires who are still deciding if they can be themselves in this company.

Inclusive employee recognition also means paying attention to tone. A simple “we appreciate your contribution during this busy time” can mean a lot to someone who is working while others are on leave.

Make the message actionable and connected to the team

A thanksgiving message during onboarding should not feel isolated from the rest of the experience. It works best when it points new employees toward relationships, resources, and next steps.

To make the message more actionable, you can :

• Invite new hires to a small team moment, such as a coffee chat or office thanksgiving gathering
• Encourage them to share what they are grateful for in their first weeks at work
• Remind them of upcoming onboarding sessions or check ins
• Suggest that they reach out to a buddy or mentor if they need support

These simple ideas thanksgiving related or not help transform a one way message into a two way connection. New employees feel that they are not just receiving information ; they are being invited into the life of the team.

When you send thanksgiving messages that open doors to conversation, you support stronger relationships and better employee engagement from the start.

Choose the right format and timing

The impact of a thanksgiving message to employees also depends on how and when it is delivered. During onboarding, people are already processing a lot of content, so the format should be simple and easy to access.

Some best practices for format and timing :

• Send thanksgiving messages a little before the holiday, not at the last minute
• Use a channel that new hires are already using for onboarding, such as email or the HR platform
• Combine a general company message with a more personal note from the direct manager
• Keep the message short enough to read in one or two minutes, but rich in appreciation

In some organizations, a short video message can work well, especially if the leadership team wants to express gratitude directly. In others, a written note is more practical. The key is consistency : when employees see that the company takes time every year to express gratitude in a thoughtful way, they understand that this is part of the culture.

Over time, sending thanksgiving messages during onboarding can become a recognizable ritual. New employees will expect it, and existing employees will remember how it made them feel when they first joined. That emotional memory is a powerful asset for long term employee engagement and retention.

Adapting your thanksgiving message to different onboarding situations

Tailoring your thanksgiving message to the onboarding context

A meaningful thanksgiving message to employees is never one size fits all. The same words will not land the same way with a new graduate in their first job, a seasoned expert joining your leadership team, or a frontline hire starting just before the holiday season rush. To truly support onboarding, you need to adapt your message, your tone, and even the channel you use.

Below are practical ways to adjust your thanksgiving messages so new employees feel valued, seen, and supported in their specific situation.

New hires in their first weeks : focus on belonging and clarity

For employees who have just joined, the thanksgiving season often overlaps with information overload. A short, clear, and warm thanksgiving message can cut through the noise and help them feel part of the team.

• Reassure them they made the right choice : Emphasize that the company is happy they joined and that their presence already matters.
• Connect gratitude to their early contributions : Even if they are still learning, recognize their curiosity, questions, and willingness to learn as real work.
• Give a simple next step : Link your thanksgiving message to one concrete action, such as meeting a buddy, joining a team call, or exploring a resource.

In this phase, a personal note from a manager or onboarding buddy often feels more authentic than a generic office thanksgiving email. It shows that people, not just systems, are welcoming them.

Remote and hybrid employees : bridge the distance with intentional communication

Remote onboarding can make new employees feel invisible, especially during the holiday season when in office traditions are more visible on internal channels. Your thanksgiving messages should work harder to close that gap.

• Use multiple channels : Combine a written thanksgiving message with a short video, a quick call, or a team meeting shout out.
• Describe the culture they cannot see : Share how the team usually celebrates thanksgiving or the end of the year, and how remote employees are included.
• Invite participation : Ask them to share a tradition, a reflection, or a small win from their first weeks. This turns a one way message into a conversation.

When you send thanksgiving messages to remote employees, be explicit that their work is visible and that their presence is already shaping the team. This helps employees feel less like outsiders and more like full members of the company.

Frontline, seasonal, and high volume hires : recognize effort and constraints

In sectors where the thanksgiving season is also peak workload, new hires often join at the most intense time of the year. For them, a meaningful thanksgiving message is not about grand words, but about honest recognition of hard work and pressure.

• Acknowledge the reality : Name the long shifts, changing schedules, and learning curve. Employee recognition starts with showing you understand their day.
• Link gratitude to impact : Explain how their work supports customers, colleagues, and the wider team during this busy time.
• Offer something tangible : When possible, connect your thanksgiving message to a small gesture of appreciation, such as flexible scheduling options, a meal, or extra support on shift.

For these employees, the best practices are simple : keep the message short, sincere, and specific. A great thanksgiving note can be just a few lines that clearly express gratitude and show that leaders see the effort behind the results.

Different seniority levels : adjust tone and expectations

Not all new employees join at the same level, and your thanksgiving messages should reflect that. A new manager or senior specialist will read your words through a different lens than an entry level hire.

For more senior hires, a thanksgiving message that only says “happy thanksgiving” without mentioning their strategic role can feel generic. Instead, connect your appreciation to how their leadership will support employees, improve work, and strengthen the company over the coming year.

Different cultural and personal backgrounds : make thanksgiving inclusive

Not everyone celebrates thanksgiving in the same way, or at all. During onboarding, new employees are still learning how your company handles holidays and recognition. Your messages should express gratitude without assuming that every person shares the same traditions.

• Use inclusive language : You can say “happy thanksgiving” while also recognizing that this time of year means different things to different people.
• Focus on universal themes : Appreciation, recognition, community, and reflection are relevant even for people who do not observe the holiday.
• Offer options : If you organize an office thanksgiving event, make it clear that participation is welcome but not mandatory, and that there are other ways to connect with the team.

Inclusive thanksgiving messages help employees feel respected as individuals. This is especially important early in the employee journey, when they are still deciding whether the company values align with their own.

Timing and channel : choosing the right moment to send thanksgiving messages

The same words can feel very different depending on when and how you send thanksgiving messages to new hires. Adapting your approach to the onboarding timeline can make your gratitude feel more authentic.

• Before the holiday : A short note a few days before the break can reassure new employees about expectations, schedules, and how to reach support if needed.
• During the holiday season : A warm, personal message employees can read at their own pace often works better than a long email sent on the busiest day.
• After the holiday : A follow up message that thanks them for their contribution during a demanding period reinforces employee recognition and closes the loop.

For some teams, a quick message in a chat tool feels natural. For others, a more formal email or a short speech in a team meeting is better. The key is to match the channel to your culture and to the way people already communicate at work.

Aligning thanksgiving messages with your broader onboarding strategy

Finally, adapt your thanksgiving message so it does not stand alone. It should echo the values, expectations, and support you share throughout onboarding. When your words of gratitude match what employees experience in their day to day work, they feel valued in a credible way.

• Connect your thanksgiving message to the company mission and how new hires contribute to it.
• Reinforce key promises you made earlier in onboarding, such as development opportunities or support from the team.
• Use similar language and themes in all your thanksgiving messages so people recognize a consistent culture of appreciation.

Over time, adapting your thanksgiving messages to different onboarding situations becomes less about templates and more about habits : noticing what people are going through, expressing gratitude in real time, and making sure every employee, in every context, can feel valued from the very beginning.

Practical examples of thanksgiving messages that support new employees

Short welcome notes for the first thanksgiving together

When you send thanksgiving messages to employees who just joined, keep the first note simple and warm. The goal is to help new people feel valued and part of the team during a busy holiday season, not to impress them with perfect wording.

Here are a few short examples you can adapt and personalize :

• Example 1 – First week in the company

  “Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to our team. We are grateful that you chose to bring your skills and energy to our company this year. Starting a new role around the holiday season can be intense, and we truly appreciate the hard work you are already putting into your onboarding. If there is anything you need to feel more supported, please let us know. We are glad you are here.”

• Example 2 – New hire still in training

  “As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to express gratitude for the curiosity and commitment you have shown during your first weeks with us. Learning a new role takes time, and your effort does not go unnoticed. We are excited to see how you will grow with the team over the coming months. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for being part of our company.”

• Example 3 – Group message to all recent hires

  “To all of you who joined us this year : happy Thanksgiving and welcome. This season is a time to recognize people who make our work better, and that includes you. Your fresh perspective, questions, and early contributions already support our employee engagement and help us improve how we work. Thank you for choosing to start this journey with us.”

Messages that highlight hard work and recognition

New employees often worry that their early efforts are invisible. A meaningful thanksgiving message can correct that by naming their hard work and linking it to the company mission. This is a simple but powerful form of employee recognition.

• Example 4 – Recognizing early contributions

  “This Thanksgiving, I want to thank you for the hard work you have already invested in your first projects. Even in a short time, your attention to detail and willingness to ask questions have made a real difference to the team. Your work supports our shared goals and helps us deliver better results for our customers. Please know that your contribution is seen and appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving.”

• Example 5 – Linking effort to impact

  “As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I want to recognize the way you have handled a demanding onboarding period. You stepped into a complex environment, learned new tools, and supported colleagues when they needed help. Because of your effort, our team can close the year stronger. Thank you for everything you have done so far, and happy Thanksgiving.”

• Example 6 – For a new hire in a critical role

  “This time of year is about appreciation, and I want to highlight the impact you have already had in a key role. Taking on important responsibilities so early is not easy, yet you have done it with professionalism and calm. Your work helps keep our operations running smoothly and supports the success of people across the company. Thank you for your commitment, and happy Thanksgiving.”

Personal and human centered thanksgiving notes

Onboarding is not only about tasks and tools. It is also about people, emotions, and the feeling of belonging. A personal note can make employees feel that they are more than a number in a system.

• Example 7 – One to one message from a manager

  “I wanted to take a moment before the holiday to say happy Thanksgiving and thank you personally for joining our team this year. I know starting a new job can be both exciting and stressful, especially around this time. I appreciate your openness, your questions, and the way you are getting to know people across the office. If there is anything that would make your onboarding experience smoother, I would really like to hear it. I am glad to have you here.”

• Example 8 – Recognizing the person, not just the role

  “This Thanksgiving, I want to recognize not only the work you do, but the way you do it. You bring patience, respect, and a calm presence to the team, which makes collaboration easier for everyone. Those qualities matter as much as technical skills. Thank you for being yourself at work and for choosing to grow your career with us. Happy Thanksgiving.”

• Example 9 – A note that respects different traditions

  “As many people in our company celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to take this time to express gratitude for your presence on our team, whatever traditions you follow. This season reminds us to slow down and recognize the people who support our work every day. Your perspective and experience already enrich our culture. Thank you for being part of our journey.”

Team wide thanksgiving messages that include new hires

Group messages employees receive during the holiday season often feel generic. When you write a thanksgiving message to the whole team, make sure new hires are clearly included. This supports employee engagement and helps them feel that they belong to the wider group, not only to their direct manager.

• Example 10 – Company wide holiday message

  “As we reach the Thanksgiving season, I want to thank every employee for the resilience, creativity, and hard work you have shown this year. A special word of appreciation goes to those who joined us recently. Starting a new role while everyone is closing the year is not easy, and your effort to learn, adapt, and contribute is truly valued. You are an important part of our future. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.”

• Example 11 – Team message that welcomes newcomers

  “Happy Thanksgiving to our team. This year we welcomed new colleagues who have already brought fresh ideas and energy to our work. Thank you for the way you have integrated into our daily routines, asked thoughtful questions, and supported others. To everyone, new and long standing, your contribution makes this a place where people can do meaningful work and grow. I am grateful to work with you.”

• Example 12 – Office thanksgiving gathering invitation

  “Next week we will host a small office Thanksgiving coffee break to mark the holiday season together. For those who joined us this year, this is a relaxed moment to meet people from other teams and learn more about our culture. Whether you have been here for years or just a few weeks, your presence matters. Thank you for everything you do, and happy Thanksgiving.”

Adapting messages for remote and hybrid employees

Remote onboarding can make people feel distant from the company culture. A thoughtful thanksgiving message helps close that gap. The content is similar to in office notes, but you should acknowledge the remote context and show that distance does not reduce appreciation.

• Example 13 – Remote new hire

  “Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for joining us this year from a distance. Starting a new role remotely requires extra effort, and we see the time you invest in calls, messages, and documentation to understand how we work. Your contribution is already visible in the projects you support. Even if we are not in the same office, you are a full member of the team, and we are grateful to have you with us.”

• Example 14 – Hybrid team with new members

  “As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I want to thank everyone on our hybrid team for staying connected and supportive, especially as we welcomed new colleagues this year. To our recent hires : your flexibility in navigating both remote and in person work is appreciated. You help us build a culture where people can do their best work from different locations. Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving.”

Best practices to keep your thanksgiving messages meaningful

To move from generic holiday greetings to meaningful thanksgiving messages that truly support onboarding, a few simple practices help :

• Be specific : mention concrete actions, projects, or behaviors that show why you express gratitude.
• Keep it personal : use a direct tone, refer to the person’s experience during onboarding, and avoid only corporate language.
• Respect different experiences : remember that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving in the same way, but everyone understands appreciation and recognition.
• Connect to the bigger picture : show how the employee’s early work supports the team, the company, and long term goals.
• Follow up : a thanksgiving message is stronger when it is part of a pattern of regular feedback, not the only note of appreciation in the year.

When you apply these ideas thanksgiving becomes more than a seasonal event. It turns into a practical moment of employee recognition that helps new hires feel valued, strengthens employee engagement, and supports a smoother onboarding journey for everyone.

Turning a thanksgiving message into a long‑term onboarding ritual

Make thanksgiving part of your annual onboarding calendar

Turning a single thanksgiving message to employees into a real onboarding ritual starts with planning. Instead of treating it as a last minute holiday season email, build it into your yearly onboarding roadmap.

• Block a recurring date in your HR and people team calendar for drafting and sending thanksgiving messages.
• Align the message with key onboarding milestones : first week, first month, end of probation.
• Decide who sends thanksgiving : direct manager, HR, leadership, or a mix.
• Prepare simple templates so no one starts from scratch each year.

This way, sending thanksgiving messages becomes a predictable part of how your company expresses gratitude and recognition, not just a nice extra when someone remembers.

Build a repeatable structure, keep the words fresh

Rituals work when they are consistent, but not copy pasted. A meaningful thanksgiving message to employees can follow the same structure every year, while the content evolves with your context.

• Start with appreciation : clearly express gratitude for the employee and their hard work during onboarding.
• Connect to the team : show how their work already supports colleagues and the wider company.
• Highlight progress : mention specific onboarding steps they have completed so they feel valued.
• Look ahead : link the thanksgiving season to the coming year and their future growth.
• Close with a personal note : a short, human line that feels written for this person, not for a list.

Keeping this structure stable helps managers and HR follow best practices without overthinking every message. At the same time, updating examples, achievements and company priorities each year keeps the ritual alive and relevant.

Connect thanksgiving messages to employee engagement metrics

If you want your office thanksgiving ritual to last, you need proof that it matters. Link your thanksgiving message practice to employee engagement and onboarding data.

• Track how many new employees receive a thanksgiving message during their first year.
• Ask in onboarding surveys whether messages employees receive make them feel more welcome and supported.
• Look at early engagement indicators : participation in team events, response to onboarding emails, feedback quality.
• Compare retention or internal mobility for people who received a personal thanksgiving note versus those who did not.

Over time, you can refine your approach : for example, you might discover that a short, personal message from the direct manager has more impact on employee recognition than a long corporate email from leadership.

Involve managers and peers, not only HR

For a great thanksgiving ritual, HR should not be the only voice. New hires feel more integrated when gratitude comes from different people around them.

• Managers can send thanksgiving messages that focus on concrete contributions and hard work.
• Peers can share short appreciation notes during an office thanksgiving moment or in a team channel.
• Leadership can send a broader thanksgiving message to employees that connects the season to the company mission.

This mix helps employees feel recognised as individuals and as part of a wider community. It also spreads the responsibility for employee engagement across the organisation, instead of leaving it only to HR.

Create simple tools and prompts for consistent practice

To make thanksgiving a stable onboarding ritual, remove friction. People are more likely to send thanksgiving messages when it is easy and fast.

• Offer short message templates that managers can adapt with a personal detail.
• Provide a checklist with ideas thanksgiving prompts : first project delivered, first client interaction, first team presentation.
• Use your HR system or calendar reminders to nudge managers to send thanksgiving at the right time.
• Share examples of meaningful thanksgiving messages that worked well in previous years.

The goal is not to standardise every word, but to support people who are not always comfortable writing. When the structure is there, they can focus on the human part of the message.

Blend written messages with live moments of appreciation

A thanksgiving message is powerful, but the ritual becomes stronger when you combine written and live recognition.

• Pair a thanksgiving email with a short moment in a team meeting where you publicly express gratitude.
• Use the holiday season to organise a small office thanksgiving gathering where new hires are introduced and appreciated.
• Encourage managers to repeat one key line from their written thanksgiving message during a one to one conversation.

This repetition helps employees feel that the appreciation is real, not just a formal message sent because the calendar says so.

Respect diversity and different relationships to the holiday

As you turn thanksgiving messages into a ritual, remember that not everyone relates to the holiday in the same way. Some employees may not celebrate it, or may associate the season with complex personal histories.

• Use inclusive language that focuses on gratitude, recognition and appreciation, not only on the cultural holiday.
• Avoid assumptions about how people spend their time off or who they spend it with.
• Offer alternative wording options so managers can adapt the message to their team and context.

This sensitivity helps all employees feel respected, while still allowing the company to express gratitude and build a shared ritual.

Review and improve the ritual every year

Finally, treat your thanksgiving onboarding ritual as a living practice. At the end of each year, take a moment to review how it went.

• Collect feedback from new hires : did the thanksgiving messages feel personal and meaningful ?
• Ask managers what made sending thanksgiving easy or difficult.
• Review the timing : did the messages arrive at a moment when employees needed extra support ?
• Adjust templates, guidelines and reminders based on what you learn.

Over time, this cycle of reflection and improvement turns a simple thanksgiving message to employees into a trusted onboarding ritual that supports employee engagement, helps people feel valued, and reinforces your company culture every season.