Great Collection of Sample SMS/Messages

Last Thursday, I stared at my phone for twenty minutes trying to craft the perfect Thanksgiving message for my college roommate. The cursor blinked mockingly as I typed and deleted the same generic "thankful for you" message repeatedly.

Photo by Nicole Michalou on Pexels

Last Thursday, I stared at my phone for twenty minutes trying to craft the perfect Thanksgiving message for my college roommate. The cursor blinked mockingly as I typed and deleted the same generic "thankful for you" message repeatedly.

Sound familiar? You're not alone in this struggle.

According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans use text messaging to stay connected with friends, making Thanksgiving the perfect opportunity to strengthen these digital bonds with meaningful messages. Yet finding the right words that capture years of friendship, inside jokes, and genuine gratitude can feel surprisingly challenging.

Whether you're messaging your ride-or-die bestie, that work friend who makes Monday mornings bearable, or reconnecting with childhood companions, the perfect message exists. I've curated over 150 Thanksgiving messages that range from tear-jerking heartfelt to laugh-out-loud funny, ensuring you'll find the perfect words for every friendship in your life.

Ready to move beyond "Happy Thanksgiving" and send messages that actually matter?

Heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving Messages for Close Friends

These messages dive deep into the emotional core of your closest friendships, acknowledging the support, loyalty, and unconditional love that defines your most meaningful connections.

Heartfelt Thanksgiving messages for friends focus on genuine appreciation, shared memories, and the emotional support that defines close friendships during the holiday season.

• This Thanksgiving, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for a friend who's been my anchor through every storm and my cheerleader through every victory. Your friendship is my greatest blessing. 🦃
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about having you in my life. You've seen me at my worst and loved me anyway. That's true friendship. Happy Thanksgiving, beautiful soul.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who shows up without being asked, listens without judging, and loves without conditions. My heart is full of gratitude for you this Thanksgiving.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Some friendships are seasonal, but ours is eternal. Thank you for fifteen years of laughter, tears, adventures, and unwavering support. Happy Thanksgiving to my chosen family.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• I'm thankful for a friend who knows my coffee order, my deepest fears, and exactly what to say when life gets complicated. You're irreplaceable. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm counting you among my greatest blessings. Your friendship has shaped who I am and made my world infinitely brighter. Grateful for you always.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being my safe harbor in life's storms and my biggest fan in moments of triumph. Your friendship is a gift I treasure every single day. Happy Thanksgiving.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for a friend who remembers my birthday, celebrates my wins, and holds space for my struggles. You make life sweeter and more meaningful. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm reflecting on all the ways you've enriched my life. From midnight phone calls to spontaneous adventures, you've been my constant. Thank you for everything.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who sees my potential when I can't see it myself. Your belief in me has carried me through my darkest moments. Happy Thanksgiving, incredible human.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

Tip: Consider pairing your heartfelt message with a personalized photo book featuring your favorite friendship memories.

Funny Happy Thanksgiving Messages for Friends

Laughter strengthens friendships, and these humorous messages blend gratitude with the kind of playful banter that makes your friendship special.

Funny Thanksgiving messages for friends use humor to express gratitude while acknowledging the lighter side of holiday traditions and friendship dynamics.

• Happy Thanksgiving to the friend who's seen me eat an entire pie and still chooses to be seen in public with me. That's true friendship right there! 🥧
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for a friend who's just as weird as me. Without you, I'd be the only one laughing at my own jokes. Happy Thanksgiving, fellow weirdo!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• I'm grateful you're my friend because now I have someone to blame when we make questionable life choices together. Happy Thanksgiving, partner in crime!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who pretends my cooking is edible and my dance moves are acceptable. Your lies mean everything to me. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Happy Thanksgiving to the friend who's stuck with me through my questionable fashion phases and even more questionable dating choices. You deserve a medal!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for a friend who laughs at my jokes even when they're not funny and pretends not to notice when I trip over nothing. You're the real MVP.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for you because you make me look like the responsible one in our friendship. That's saying something! 🦃
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who enables my online shopping addiction and then helps me hide the packages from my spouse. Happy Thanksgiving, enabler!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Happy Thanksgiving to the friend who knows all my secrets and still hasn't sold them to the highest bidder. Your loyalty is both admirable and slightly concerning.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for a friend who's always down for adventures, even when those adventures involve getting lost in Target for three hours. Happy Thanksgiving, fellow explorer!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

• 75+ Best Wishes for Thanksgiving Holiday: Heartfelt Messages
• 123+ Beautiful Happy Thanksgiving Greetings and Messages for Everyone
• 75+ Thanksgiving Messages for Boyfriend to Express Your Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving Messages for Friends and Family Together

Modern celebrations often blur the lines between friends and family, creating chosen family bonds that deserve recognition during this season of gratitude.

Combined friends and family Thanksgiving messages acknowledge that modern celebrations often include chosen family and close friends as integral parts of holiday traditions.

• This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for all the people who make my life complete - whether we share DNA or just share dreams. You're all my family. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for the beautiful blend of family and friends who've created the most amazing support system. You've all shaped my heart in the most wonderful ways.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Happy Thanksgiving to my incredible mix of family and friends! You've proven that love isn't limited by blood relations but expanded by chosen connections.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for everyone gathered around my table and in my heart today. Family by birth, friends by choice - all equally precious. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm counting my blessings, and you're all at the top of my list. Thank you for being my village, my support system, my everything.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• To my amazing family and friends: you've taught me that gratitude multiplies when shared. Thank you for filling my life with love, laughter, and endless blessings.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Happy Thanksgiving to the people who've become my chosen family and the family who've become my closest friends. You make every day feel like a celebration.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for a life surrounded by people who love me unconditionally - some I was born into, others I was lucky enough to find. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the beautiful tapestry of relationships that make up my life. Friends and family woven together in perfect harmony.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• To everyone who's shared a meal, a laugh, or a moment with me this year - you're all part of my gratitude story. Happy Thanksgiving, beloved people!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

Tip: Create a group video call to share these messages live, making distant friends and family feel included in your celebration.

Short and Sweet Happy Thanksgiving Friend Messages

Sometimes the most powerful messages come in small packages, perfect for quick texts, social media posts, or handwritten notes that pack emotional punch.

Short Thanksgiving messages for friends deliver heartfelt gratitude efficiently, making them perfect for quick texts, social media posts, or brief handwritten notes.

• Grateful for you today and always. Happy Thanksgiving, friend! 🦃
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Your friendship is my favorite blessing. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for laughs, memories, and you. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Blessed to call you friend. Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful hearts, great friends. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• You make life sweeter. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Friendship goals: achieved. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Lucky to have you. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Friends like you are rare gems. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for your friendship today and every day!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• You're a blessing. Happy Thanksgiving, friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for memories we've made and more to come!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Your friendship lights up my world. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for you, always. Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Best friends, best blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

Thanksgiving Messages for Different Types of Friendships

Every friendship has its own unique flavor, and your Thanksgiving message should reflect the specific dynamics and history you share with different people in your life.

Different friendship types require tailored Thanksgiving messages that acknowledge the unique dynamics, history, and current status of each relationship.

For New Friendships:

• So grateful our paths crossed this year! Looking forward to many more adventures together. Happy Thanksgiving, new friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for the fresh perspective and joy you've brought into my life. Happy Thanksgiving to an amazing new friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• New friendships are like seeds of possibility. Grateful ours is already blooming beautifully. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

For Long-Distance Friends:

• Miles can't diminish the gratitude I feel for your friendship. Thinking of you this Thanksgiving and sending love across the distance!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Distance means nothing when friendship means everything. Grateful for you today and always, no matter how many miles apart we are.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Though we're apart, you're always in my heart. Happy Thanksgiving to my amazing long-distance friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

For Work Friends:

• Grateful for a colleague who became a friend and makes every workday brighter. Happy Thanksgiving to my favorite work buddy!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for turning Monday meetings into moments of laughter and deadlines into shared victories. Happy Thanksgiving, work friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for someone who makes the 9-to-5 feel more like fun than work. Happy Thanksgiving to my office family!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

For Childhood Friends:

• From playground adventures to adult achievements, grateful for a friend who's been with me through every chapter. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thankful for a friendship that's survived decades, different cities, and countless changes. You're my constant. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for shared memories that still make us laugh and a friendship that keeps getting stronger. Happy Thanksgiving, childhood friend!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

• 75+ Best Wishes for Thanksgiving Holiday: Heartfelt Messages
• 123+ Beautiful Happy Thanksgiving Greetings and Messages for Everyone
• 75+ Thanksgiving Messages for Boyfriend to Express Your Gratitude

Thanksgiving Messages with Gratitude Quotes for Friends

Combining timeless wisdom with personal sentiment creates messages that resonate deeply and offer lasting inspiration for your friendships.

Thanksgiving messages with gratitude quotes combine timeless wisdom about friendship with personal expressions of appreciation for deeper emotional resonance.

• "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." - Woodrow Wilson. Grateful for the bond we share that makes my world complete. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." - Elbert Hubbard. Thank you for being that friend. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie. Grateful for our friendship's past, present, and future.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it." - Hubert H. Humphrey. Thank you for being my greatest gift. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" - C.S. Lewis. Grateful for our connection!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "A true friend is someone who is there for you when they'd rather be anywhere else." - Len Wein. Thank you for always being there. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others." - Cicero. Your friendship has taught me the true meaning of gratitude.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." - Edna Buchanan. Grateful I chose you and you chose me. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "The language of friendship is not words but meanings." - Henry David Thoreau. Thank you for understanding my heart. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." - Anonymous. Your friendship makes my life feel abundantly full. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

Tip: Consider gifting a beautiful journal where your friend can record their own gratitude moments throughout the year.

Creative Thanksgiving Messages for Friends on Social Media

Social media messages need to capture attention while expressing genuine gratitude, encouraging engagement and sharing among your digital community.

Social media Thanksgiving messages for friends are crafted for digital platforms, encouraging engagement while expressing genuine gratitude in shareable formats.

• Scrolling through my photos this Thanksgiving and realizing how many memories include your beautiful face. Grateful for a friend who shows up in pictures and in life! #Thankful
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• PSA: This friend right here is one of my greatest blessings. Tag someone who makes your life brighter! #ThanksgivingGratitude #FriendshipGoals
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thanksgiving gratitude post: Friends who laugh at my jokes, support my dreams, and still love me after seeing my 6 AM face. You know who you are! 🦃
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Plot twist: The real feast this Thanksgiving is the friendship we've built over the years. Grateful for every shared meal, memory, and moment. #Blessed
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thanksgiving reminder: Good friends are like four-leaf clovers - rare and lucky to find. Grateful for my collection of lucky charms! 🍀
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for friends who double-tap my posts, triple-text when I'm MIA, and always have my back. You're the real MVPs!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Gratitude post: Friends who've seen my worst selfies and still follow me anyway. That's true friendship right there! #ThanksgivingLove
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thanksgiving thought: I may not have it all together, but I have amazing friends who help me keep it together. Grateful for my support squad!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Shoutout to friends who make ordinary moments extraordinary and turn regular days into adventures. You're my favorite notifications! 🧡
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, counting my blessings and my friends - turns out they're the same thing! Tag your favorite blessing below! #Grateful
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

Thanksgiving Messages for Friends Who Are Like Family

Some friendships transcend traditional boundaries, creating bonds so deep they feel like family connections that deserve special recognition during this season of gratitude.

Thanksgiving messages for friends who are like family recognize the deep bonds that transcend traditional friendship, acknowledging chosen family relationships.

• Blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family. Grateful for a friend who's become my chosen family. Happy Thanksgiving, sister/brother of my heart!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the friend who's been my family when I needed one most. You've given me a home in your heart. Forever grateful.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Some people are blessed with amazing families. I'm blessed with an amazing family AND a friend who's become family too. Double blessed this Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for the friend who's been my emergency contact, my voice of reason, and my biggest supporter. You're not just a friend - you're family. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm counting the friend who's held my hand through heartbreak, celebrated my victories, and loved me unconditionally. You're family, period.
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who shows up to family dinners, remembers important dates, and treats my family like your own. You belong with us. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Grateful for a friendship so deep it feels like coming home. You're not just in my life - you're woven into my family story. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the friend who's become my sibling by choice. Our bond is unbreakable and our love is unconditional. Family forever!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Some friends come and go, but family friends stay forever. Grateful for the friend who's become both my family and my forever. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!
• Thank you for being the friend who's earned a permanent seat at my family table and a permanent place in my heart. You're family, always. Happy Thanksgiving!
  Copy Sample MessageCopied!

• 75+ Best Wishes for Thanksgiving Holiday: Heartfelt Messages
• 123+ Beautiful Happy Thanksgiving Greetings and Messages for Everyone
• 75+ Thanksgiving Messages for Boyfriend to Express Your Gratitude

How to Personalize Your Thanksgiving Messages for Friends

Generic messages feel hollow, but personalized ones create lasting impact. Here's how to craft messages that truly reflect your unique friendship and make your gratitude feel authentic.

Include Specific Memories and Shared Experiences: Reference that road trip where you got lost for three hours, the time they helped you move apartments, or the inside joke that still makes you both laugh. Specific details show you value your shared history.

Reference Inside Jokes and Friendship Milestones: Mention your friendship anniversary, that embarrassing moment you both survived, or the silly nickname only you two understand. These personal touches make your message irreplaceable.

Acknowledge Individual Personality and Preferences: If they're always the voice of reason, thank them for their wisdom. If they're the spontaneous one, appreciate their adventurous spirit. Show you see and value who they are.

Add Specific Reasons for Gratitude: Instead of "thankful for your friendship," try "grateful for how you always know exactly what to say when I'm stressed about work" or "thankful for your terrible puns that somehow always cheer me up."

Consider Communication Style Preferences: Some friends prefer heartfelt and deep, others like humor and lightness. Match your message tone to what resonates with them personally.

Match the Tone to Your Friendship Dynamic: A message to your workout buddy might focus on motivation and shared goals, while one to your book club friend might reference literary quotes or shared reading experiences.

When and How to Send Thanksgiving Messages to Friends

Timing and delivery method can make the difference between a message that gets lost in the holiday shuffle and one that creates a meaningful moment of connection.

Sending Thanksgiving messages to friends involves considering timing, delivery method, and personal preferences to ensure your gratitude is received meaningfully.

Best Timing for Sending Messages: Send messages the week before Thanksgiving to avoid the holiday rush, or early Thanksgiving morning when people are in a reflective mood. Avoid sending during traditional dinner hours unless you know they're not celebrating.

Choosing Delivery Methods: Text messages work for quick, casual friends. Handwritten cards feel special for close friends. Social media posts are perfect for group acknowledgments. Email allows for longer, more detailed messages.

Group vs. Individual Message Etiquette: Send individual messages to close friends who deserve personal attention. Group messages work for casual acquaintances or when sharing general gratitude. Always personalize group messages with specific mentions when possible.

Following Up and Maintaining Connections: Don't let your Thanksgiving message be your only contact. Use it as a launching pad for deeper conversations. Suggest getting together soon or reference plans you've discussed.

Remember that authentic gratitude doesn't require perfect timing or elaborate delivery. The sincerity of your message matters more than when or how you send it.

According to research from Harvard Medical School, expressing gratitude strengthens relationships and improves mental health for both the sender and receiver. Your Thanksgiving message isn't just a holiday nicety - it's an investment in your friendship's future.

This Thanksgiving, move beyond generic greetings and choose messages that reflect your authentic feelings. Whether you opt for heartfelt appreciation, playful humor, or meaningful quotes, the perfect message is one that genuinely represents your friendship.

Take these messages as inspiration, but don't forget to add your own personal touch. Your friends will appreciate the effort you put into expressing your gratitude, and you'll strengthen the bonds that make life richer and more meaningful.

Remember to comply with messaging regulations and include opt-out options when sending bulk messages to ensure your gratitude is always welcome.

What makes a good Thanksgiving message for friends?

A good message combines genuine gratitude with personal touches that reflect your unique friendship, whether through shared memories, inside jokes, or specific appreciation.

When should I send Thanksgiving messages to friends?

Send messages the week before Thanksgiving or early Thanksgiving morning to avoid the holiday rush while ensuring your friends receive them in a reflective mood.

Should I send individual or group Thanksgiving messages?

Send individual messages to close friends for personal impact, and group messages for casual acquaintances, always adding personal mentions when possible for authenticity.

How long should a Thanksgiving message be?

Keep messages concise but meaningful - aim for 1-3 sentences for texts, longer for cards or emails, focusing on quality over quantity.

Can I use humor in Thanksgiving messages for friends?

Yes, humor works well if it matches your friendship dynamic, but ensure it's paired with genuine gratitude and appropriate for your relationship.