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30 Trending Thanksgiving Video Ideas to Boost Your Brand

30 Trending Thanksgiving Video Ideas to Boost Your Brand

Aanchal Parmar

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October 8, 2024

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5 mins

Table of Contents

Thanksgiving is all about family, food, gratitude—and shopping! Whether you’re in the US or elsewhere, this holiday marks an important date on your social media calendar. 

It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with your audience as they reflect on the season and gear up for holiday shopping. However, creating unique and engaging Thanksgiving video content can be challenging when every brand is vying for attention.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll share 30 trending Thanksgiving video post ideas that are simple to create and perfectly align with your brand’s voice. 

From heartfelt gratitude messages to lighthearted humor, these ideas will inspire you to engage your followers this holiday season.

Why Thanksgiving Video Content Matters

In 2022, the Thanksgiving weekend saw a significant surge in consumer activity, with 76% of U.S. consumers shopping during this period—a notable increase from 70% the previous year. This uptick underscores the critical importance of engaging audiences during this festive season, particularly through video content.

Video has emerged as the premier medium for capturing attention and conveying messages effectively, with 80% of online businesses now leveraging it as a marketing tool—up from 63% just a year prior. This trend aligns perfectly with the Thanksgiving season, offering brands a powerful way to connect with the larger potential audience that emerges during the holidays.

Thanksgiving-themed videos help you as a brand to create seasonal, relevant content that resonates with consumers' holiday mindsets. 

These videos can evoke feelings of warmth, gratitude, and togetherness, fostering stronger emotional connections between brands and their audiences. Moreover, such content is more likely to be shared on social media, increasing organic reach and visibility.

As Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, video content provides an ideal medium for you to showcase the products or services while simultaneously humanizing the brand and demonstrating cultural values. 

This approach not only helps in creating shareable, entertaining content but also allows for seamless integration across various marketing channels, helping you to craft cohesive holiday campaigns to captivate and engage consumers during this crucial retail period.

Top Thanksgiving Video Post Ideas

Let’s jump straight into 30 trending ideas to make your Thanksgiving content stand out! These social media Thanksgiving posts will not only engage your audience but also resonate with their holiday spirit, helping your brand connect meaningfully this festive season.

Gratitude-Focused Thanksgiving Video ideas

1. Thank You Messages to Customers

Create a heartfelt video expressing gratitude to your customers for their support throughout the year. Personalize the message by highlighting specific milestones or achievements made possible by their patronage.

Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Aligns brand message with Thanksgiving's theme of gratitude and fosters customer loyalty through recognition and appreciation
  • Meets consumer desire for genuine brand interactions and uplifts customers from mere transactions to valued partners
  • Triggers positive responses from appreciated customers and encourages continued support along with potential brand advocacy
  • Reveals the human side of your business and your audience connects with you on a personal level
  • Credits customers for the brand's success, reinforcing their importance

For example, McDonald’s created a heartfelt video featuring customer stories, expressing gratitude and saying 'Thank You' to their customers.

2. Employee Appreciation Videos

Feature your team by posting short clips of employees sharing what they’re grateful for this Thanksgiving. This not only highlights your company culture but also shows the human side of your brand.

Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Showcases your team’s unique personalities, adding a personal and relatable touch to your brand.
  • Creates emotional connections by sharing heartfelt messages of gratitude that resonate with your audience.
  • Adds authenticity, helping to build trust and show the genuine, human side of your company.

For example, Survice Engineering created a video featuring their employees sharing what they’re grateful for at the company. It was a heartfelt way to showcase team appreciation and highlight their strong company culture, perfect for the Thanksgiving spirit.

3. Community Impact Stories

Share a video that highlights your brand’s involvement in the local community. Think of initiatives such as charitable donations or volunteer work, emphasizing the positive impact your business has made during the holiday season.

Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Demonstrates your brand’s commitment to giving back, fostering a sense of goodwill.
  • Strengthens community ties by showcasing local initiatives, and helping to build brand loyalty.Inspires others to get involved, encouraging customers to support your efforts or start their own.
  • Highlights your brand’s values, creating a positive and socially responsible image.

Take a look at how TCU FCA and MW Logistics shared a video highlighting their dedication to the community by providing 6,500 Thanksgiving dinners, which will amount to over 40,000 meals for families in need.

4. Gratitude for Growth

Share a video that highlights your brand's growth journey, thanking everyone involved—from employees to customers—who helped you reach your current milestones.

5. Gratitude Challenges

Launch a challenge where team members share one thing they are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving. Compile these short clips into a single gratitude video.

Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Creates relatable and genuine content that resonates with viewers on an emotional level.
  • Keep your brand top of mind as the challenge builds anticipation leading up to Thanksgiving.
  • Sends a feel-good message that aligns with the season, enhancing your brand's positive image.

Behind-the-Scenes Thanksgiving Video Ideas

6. Thanksgiving Prep at the Office

Show your audience how your team is getting into the Thanksgiving spirit! Whether it's decorating the office, preparing holiday-themed products, or setting up a festive display, give viewers a sneak peek into the fun behind the scenes.

Holiday-themed BTS videos give a raw glimpse into your company culture, showcasing teamwork and festive spirit. By inviting viewers to share their own experiences, these videos foster community engagement and boost interaction. 

Moreover, they build anticipation for the holiday season, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances your brand's appeal. This approach not only humanizes your brand but also creates relatable content that resonates with viewers during the festive period.

For example, QSFPTEK shared a video showcasing their Thanksgiving celebrations and activities during this joyful holiday.

7. Team Members’ Thanksgiving Traditions

Let your team share their quirky or heartwarming Thanksgiving traditions! A light, conversational video featuring employees talking about their favorite holiday memories or unusual family traditions will add a personal touch to your brand.

For example, Natalie Allport shared a YouTube Short showcasing how she learned her family's traditional pumpkin pie recipe and started a tradition of sharing this feast with people on the street during Thanksgiving.

8. Holiday Product Creation Unwrapped

Take viewers behind the curtain and show how your holiday products come to life. Whether it's a special Thanksgiving-themed item or just a fun seasonal twist, let them see the magic behind the process with a casual, friendly vibe.


Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Engages viewers by providing an insider’s look at the creativity and effort that goes into product development.
  • Builds excitement around your products, making them feel more personal and special to customers.
  • Highlights your brand’s craftsmanship and attention to detail, enhancing perceived value.

9. Office Potluck Prep

Capture the fun (and maybe a little chaos!) of your team prepping for a Thanksgiving office potluck. Whether someone’s trying to perfect a dish or bringing store-bought pies, this video idea keeps things light and relatable.

Holiday cooking videos featuring your team are highly effective marketing tools. They inject authenticity into your brand by showcasing the relatable joys and quirks of shared meals, which resonates strongly with viewers.

For example, Jim Higgins shared a video showcasing who brought what to their office Thanksgiving potluck party, capturing the festive spirit of the occasion as colleagues came together to celebrate, share delicious dishes, and express gratitude for one another.

10. Thanksgiving Playlist Picks

Have your team members share their favorite Thanksgiving or fall-themed songs and create a fun video featuring their picks. You can even turn this into a mini dance-off or lip-sync moment for a humorous touch! Share the final playlist with your audience so they can enjoy it too.

Thanksgiving Funny Video Ideas

11. Humorous Takes on Thanksgiving Traditions

Playfully poke fun at common Thanksgiving traditions, like the chaos of cooking the perfect turkey or the awkward family dinner moments. Think of exaggerated situations or funny skits that everyone can relate to, keeping the tone lighthearted and silly.

For example, Nathan Kessel shared a lighthearted video of himself weighing in before and after the Thanksgiving feast, humorously capturing the joy of indulging in delicious food and the festive spirit of the holiday.

12. Bloopers from Thanksgiving Ad Attempts

Share behind-the-scenes bloopers from your team trying to create a "serious" Thanksgiving ad.

The more things go hilariously wrong, the better! Audiences love the authenticity of seeing that not everything goes smoothly behind the camera.

13. Thanksgiving Parody Commercial

Create a parody of famous commercials but with a Thanksgiving twist. Whether you’re riffing on iconic fast food ads or a well-known brand, add some Thanksgiving humor—like turning a dramatic car commercial into a turkey-roasting competition!

Holiday bloopers inject humor into your brand, showcasing authenticity and the human side of your business. By capturing genuine moments of laughter and teamwork, these videos foster stronger connections with your audience. ‍

This approach aligns perfectly with the holiday spirit, making your brand more relatable and appealing during the festive season

14. Turkey’s Point of View

Create a funny video where the Thanksgiving turkey narrates its side of the story, commenting on the holiday preparations with a mix of sass and humor. Think of sarcastic remarks about the cooking process or the stress humans put on the "perfect" meal.

Here's why such videos are particularly effective:

  • Offers a whimsical perspective that turns the traditional Thanksgiving narrative on its head, inviting viewers to see the holiday through the eyes of the star of the feast.
  • Engages audiences with witty commentary and relatable humor, as the turkey delivers cheeky observations about the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations.

15. Thanksgiving Day Expectations vs. Reality

Show the gap between how people expect their Thanksgiving to go and the reality. Whether it’s the turkey coming out burned instead of golden or the perfect family photo turning into chaos, exaggerate the difference in a funny, relatable way!

For example, Shelby Dash shares a humorous video on Thanksgiving titled "Expectations vs. Reality," playfully contrasting the idealized visions of the holiday with the often chaotic and funny moments that actually unfold during the festivities.

How-To and Tutorial Video Ideas for Thanksgiving

16. Thanksgiving Recipe Hacks

Share simple, quick hacks to make classic Thanksgiving dishes even easier. Think “how to cook a turkey in half the time” or “easy 3-ingredient side dishes” that make prepping for the big meal less stressful.

For example, Cookinwithjai shared an Instagram Reel showcasing a Thanksgiving Essential Recipe: Candy Yams, offering a delicious and easy-to-follow guide that adds a sweet touch to any holiday feast.

17. DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

Guide viewers through creating festive decorations using materials they probably have at home. From autumn-themed centerpieces to pumpkin place settings, these DIY projects will help elevate their holiday decor without breaking the bank.

For example, Melissa Metrano shares a delightful DIY video on designing her Thanksgiving decor, offering creative tips and inspiration for adding a festive touch to the holiday celebrations!

18. How to Set Up a Perfect Thanksgiving Buffet

‍Create a video that walks people through setting up the ideal Thanksgiving buffet table. Include tips on layout, keeping food warm, and how to make the buffet look both organized and festive.

19. Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas

Offer quick dessert recipes for those who forgot or need something extra at the last minute. From no-bake pies to quick-and-easy cookies, show how anyone can whip up a crowd-pleaser in a pinch!

20. How to Host a Thanksgiving Potluck

Guide viewers on organizing a stress-free Thanksgiving potluck. Offer tips on coordinating dishes, creating a fun atmosphere, and making sure everyone brings something to share—while keeping it light, fun, and easygoing!

User-Generated Content Campaign Ideas for Thanksgiving

21. Thankful Video Testimonials

Create a campaign where customers share short video clips expressing what they’re thankful for this holiday season. Not only does this provide authentic content, but it also builds a personal connection with your brand and community.

22. Turkey Day Photo Collage Video Challenge

Encourage your audience to snap and share their most creative Thanksgiving photos—whether it’s the beautifully arranged dinner table, cherished family gatherings, or their pets dressed in festive attire. 

Compile these photos into a fun, heartwarming video collage that captures the spirit of Thanksgiving. Use a dedicated hashtag to collect submissions, and showcase the best ones in your video, creating a delightful tribute to your community’s celebrations!

23. Thanksgiving Story Contest

Invite your customers to share their favorite Thanksgiving memories or stories for a chance to win a prize. Highlight the most heartwarming or funny stories on your social media, and create a sense of community among your followers!

24. Thanksgiving Recipe Swap

Ask your followers to share their go-to Thanksgiving recipes along with a video of the dish. Feature a selection of these recipes on your social media or website, celebrating the diversity of flavors and traditions that make Thanksgiving special.

Featuring user-generated content fosters authenticity, encouraging more followers to engage with your brand and contribute their recipes, ultimately boosting social media interaction and loyalty.

25. Holiday Traditions Showcase

Invite your customers to share their unique Thanksgiving traditions through photos or videos. Feature these on your platforms, highlighting the special ways people celebrate, whether it's a family recipe, a quirky game, or a fun gathering tradition!

For example, let’s watch a video showcasing a tradition where families celebrate Thanksgiving by harvesting grapevines, highlighting the joy of working together and the bounty of nature as they gather for a festive feast.

Gratitude-Focused Thanksgiving Video ideas

26. Thanksgiving Charity Spotlight

Create a video highlighting your brand’s involvement in local charities this Thanksgiving. Share the stories of the organizations you support and the impact they make in the community. This not only highlights your commitment to giving back but also inspires others to join in!

For example, Northcentral Electric Cooperative shared a video showcasing how their employees volunteered their time to distribute Thanksgiving food boxes to families in the Marshall County area, demonstrating their commitment to community service and spreading holiday cheer.

27. Giving Challenge

Encourage your audience to participate in a “Giving Challenge” by sharing simple ways they can contribute during the holiday season—whether it’s donating food, volunteering, or supporting local businesses. Invite them to share their own giving stories using a dedicated hashtag!

For example, Goodies Bagg Enterprises and the DDHD Foundation shared a video encouraging viewers to help provide 700 turkeys to families in need this holiday season by donating any amount between $50 and $100, emphasizing the impact of community support in making a difference.

28. Community Needs Highlight Reel

Create a video that highlights the specific needs of your local community during the holiday season. Share testimonials from local charities or families, explaining how viewers can help make a difference. 

This helps raise awareness and connects your audience with tangible ways to give back.

29. Thanksgiving Meals for All

Partner with local food banks or shelters to create a video showing how your brand is helping to provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need. 

Document the process, from gathering donations to serving meals, and encourage viewers to contribute as well.

30. Thanksgiving Thank-You Messages

Film heartfelt thank-you messages from those who have benefited from community support, whether it’s families receiving meals or volunteers sharing their experiences. This fosters a sense of connection and gratitude, reminding viewers of the joy of giving back.

How to Promote Your Thanksgiving Video Content

To maximize your video's reach, it’s essential to post it on the right platforms at the right times. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Best Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook are ideal for short, engaging videos.

  • Timing: Post a week or two before Thanksgiving to build momentum. You can also make use of a social media post scheduler that will help you plan and automate your posts, ensuring consistent engagement leading up to the holiday.
  • Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags like #Thanksgiving, #Gratitude, and #ThanksgivingVibes to increase visibility.
  • Bonus Tip: Use an AI hashtag generator to discover trending and relevant hashtags that can help boost your content's reach!

Consider collaborating with influencers or other brands to boost engagement. Cross-promoting your video across various channels—email, social media, and even your website—can amplify its reach.

How You Can Measure Success and ROI of Thanksgiving Videos

Tracking the performance of your videos is essential for refining your future content. Key metrics to monitor include views, engagement rate, and click-through rates

According to Sprout Social short-form video delivers the highest ROI compared to other marketing trends, making it an invaluable tool for your Thanksgiving strategy.

Use tools like Google Analytics and social media insights to evaluate how your videos are performing and adjust your future content accordingly.

Improve Your Brand's Thanksgiving Presence with Engaging Video Content

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to express gratitude and engage your audience through captivating video content, making it an ideal time to explore Thanksgiving video post ideas. 

By diving into gratitude-focused concepts, behind-the-scenes insights, funny moments, how-to tutorials, user-generated content campaigns, and charitable initiatives, you can create a rich tapestry of engaging videos that resonate with your community.

These diverse video concepts not only enhance your brand’s holiday presence but also foster a sense of connection and celebration among your audience. 

As you start planning your Thanksgiving video content, remember to leverage vidyo.ai’s powerful content creation tools to bring your ideas to life seamlessly.

So, don’t wait—sign up or log in to vidyo.ai today, and discover how easy it is to craft impactful videos that will light up your Thanksgiving celebrations!

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Frequently asked questions

What do you write in a Thanksgiving post on Facebook?

Express gratitude, share plans or traditions, wish others well. Example: "Grateful for another year with loved ones. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving filled with good food and great company!"

How can I make Thanksgiving meaningful?

Focus on gratitude, volunteer, connect with family and friends, create new traditions, or reflect on personal growth over the past year.

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