69 short lines for the back of the card, 7 short poems and 8 ready-to-send letters, emails and texts, sorted by kind of gathering: family dinner, Friendsgiving, potluck, office luncheon, classroom, church and community. Every short line can go straight onto one of the free invitation designs: pick it here and the maker opens with it on the back.
A Thanksgiving invitation does two jobs. The front says whose table it is; the back carries the day, the time you'll eat, the place, the RSVP and one practical sentence. That sentence is where most of the lines below belong: what to bring, when pie is served, kids welcome, or lunch is on us. For timing, plus-ones and how to decline, see the Thanksgiving invitation etiquette guide.
10 lines · 2 verses
Family dinner wording
Thanksgiving dinner invitation wording for family: when to come, when you'll eat, what to bring, and a warm line for relatives who haven't been to your table before.
The table's set, the turkey's done,There's room enough for everyone;So bring your stories, bring your cheer,And share our Thanksgiving dinner here.
Family gathering verse
Leaves are falling, ovens warm,The whole family's coming home;Pull up a chair and take your place,There's always room for one more face.
7 lines · 1 verses
Friendsgiving wording
Friendsgiving invitation wording for the friends who are family: who's bringing the turkey, plus-ones welcome, and the Saturday-before timing most groups use.
Grab a dish and grab a friend,We'll eat and laugh until the end;No fancy plates, no need to fuss,Just Friendsgiving, and all of us.
7 lines · 1 verses
Potluck wording
Thanksgiving potluck invitation wording: how to ask for a dish without sounding bossy, sign-up lines, oven-space requests and a gentle note about allergies.
Our class is having a Thanksgiving feast,With food to share, from most to least;Please send a dish if you are able,And thank you for helping fill our table.
6 lines · 0 verses
Church dinner wording
Church Thanksgiving dinner wording: all are welcome, how to RSVP for a community meal, and short blessings for the back of the card.
For family, a potluck, the office, a classroom or a church bulletin: copy one, replace the words in square brackets, and attach the card as a phone-sized PNG.
Letter · Warm
Thanksgiving invitation letter to family
Subject: Join us for Thanksgiving
Dear [Name],
We'd love for you to spend Thanksgiving with us this year. We're gathering at [Place] on Thursday, [Date], and we'll sit down to dinner around [Time]. Come early if you'd like; the coffee will be on and the parade will be on TV.
You don't need to bring a thing, but if you'd like to, a side dish or a dessert is always welcome. Just let us know what you're planning so we don't end up with three green bean casseroles.
Please let us know by [RSVP date] whether you can make it. We're so grateful to have you in our lives, and we'd love to have you at our table.
With love,
[Your Name]
Email · Friendly, organized
Thanksgiving potluck invitation email with sign-up
Subject: Thanksgiving potluck on [Date]: what can you bring?
Hi everyone,
We're hosting a Thanksgiving potluck on [Day], [Date] at [Time], at [Address]. We'll make the turkey and the gravy; we're counting on you for everything else.
Please sign up for a dish here: [Link]. We need mains, sides, desserts and drinks, so pick whichever category has the fewest names. If your dish needs the oven, add a note so we can plan oven time, and please bring it with a serving spoon.
If you have a food allergy we should know about, reply to me directly and I'll make sure the label is on every dish.
Please RSVP by [RSVP date]. Can't wait to eat with you!
[Your Name]
Email · Professional, warm
Thanksgiving employee luncheon invitation email
Subject: You're invited: Thanksgiving luncheon on [Date]
Hi team,
To say thank you for everything you've done this year, we're hosting a Thanksgiving luncheon on [Day], [Date] from [Time] to [Time] in [Room]. Lunch is on us.
Please reply by [RSVP date] so we can give the caterer a final count, and let me know about any dietary needs. If you're working remotely that day, we'll have a video link at noon so you can join for the toast.
Thank you,
[Name]
Chat message · Short, upbeat
Office Thanksgiving potluck chat message
🦃 Thanksgiving potluck lunch on [Date] at noon in [Room]! The turkey's covered; add your dish to the sign-up sheet: [Link]. React with a 🥧 if you're coming.
Letter · Warm, clear
Classroom Thanksgiving feast letter to parents
Subject: Our class Thanksgiving feast on [Date]
Dear families,
Our class will celebrate with a Thanksgiving feast on [Date] at [Time]. The children have been learning about gratitude, and they're excited to share a meal together.
If you're able, please send a side dish or a snack to share for about [Number] children, using the sign-up sheet attached. We have classmates with food allergies, so please send store-bought, nut-free food with the ingredients label, and check the allergy list on the back of the sign-up.
If you can't send food, that's perfectly fine: plates, cups and napkins help just as much, and every child will be fed. Families are welcome to join us; please let me know by [RSVP date] if you're coming.
Thank you,
[Teacher's Name]
Announcement · Welcoming
Church Thanksgiving dinner bulletin announcement
Community Thanksgiving Dinner: join us on Sunday, [Date] at [Time] in [Place] for a free Thanksgiving dinner. All are welcome: bring your family, your neighbors and anyone who would otherwise eat alone.
To help the kitchen plan, please RSVP by [Date] at [Phone], but walk-ins are always welcome. We need volunteers to cook, set up and serve; sign up in the fellowship hall or call [Name].
Text message · Low-pressure
Inviting a coworker or a student far from home
Hi [Name], I know you're not heading home for Thanksgiving this year, and we'd love to have you join us. We're eating around [Time] on Thursday at [Place]. No need to bring anything, and absolutely no pressure. Just let me know by [Date] if you'd like to come.
Text message · Casual
Thanksgiving dinner group text
Thanksgiving is at our place this year! Thursday, [Date]. Come anytime after [Time], dinner at [Time]. We've got the turkey; reply with what you'd like to bring so we don't double up. 🦃
Who is hosting, the day, the time you'll sit down to eat, the address, and how and by when to reply. Then the one line guests most need: what to bring, or that they don't need to bring anything.
How do I word a Thanksgiving potluck invitation?
Say it's a potluck, say what you're making (usually the turkey), and ask for one dish: "Bring a side dish to share". A sign-up for mains, sides and desserts keeps the menu balanced; the potluck email below includes one.
How do I invite employees to a Thanksgiving luncheon?
Keep it short and clear: the date, the time, the room, who's paying, and when to reply. The employee luncheon email and the chat message below are ready to paste, with the card attached as an image.
How do I write a Thanksgiving invitation letter?
Start warmly, give the day, place and dinner time, say what (if anything) to bring, ask for a reply by a date, and close with a line of thanks. The family invitation letter below follows that order.
