How Small Businesses Can Show Customer Appreciation This Thanksgiving

Why Customer Appreciation Matters This Thanksgiving

Hey friends, let’s get an early start on holiday cheer, shall we? We all know that Thanksgiving is the perfect time for small businesses to show appreciation to the loyal customers who make everything possible. According to the Better Business Bureau, maintaining strong customer relationships and actively showing appreciation is what turns first-time buyers into lifelong fans.

Studies show that 68% of customers leave a company because they feel unappreciated. Now that’s sad! Let’s change that this holiday season and find creative ways to express gratitude with these customer appreciation ideas. 

Host a Customer Appreciation Event

It may be a bit too late to do this one, but that is up to how detailed you get and your number of clients. Here is my suggestion. Create an experience your customers won’t forget by hosting a holiday or Thanksgiving-themed event. You could host an open house, a small virtual gathering, or an on-location celebration with refreshments. Then, you can make the gathering that much better with exclusive discounts or giveaways for attendees.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: If hosting in person, consider partnering with other local businesses to cross-promote and expand your reach! Small businesses should always support one another.

Send Personalized Thank-You Notes

Does anyone still write thank-you cards? Handwritten notes are timeless and can make a huge impact. To show genuine gratitude, send your most loyal customers a personalized Thanksgiving card. Mention specific ways their support has helped your business grow, making your message more meaningful.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: As a token of thanks, include a small coupon, link to a freebie, or discount for their next purchase.

Give Back on Their Behalf

Now, I love this one. Did you know you can show customers that their support goes beyond your business by giving back to the community in their name? In the letter explaining the gift/donation, you can share updates about the impact of their contributions to that charity.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Let customers vote on which charity to support through social media polls or email surveys.

Create a “Thanksgiving Favorites” Giveaway

Everyone loves a giveaway! Create a Seasonal giveaway with items like gift cards, seasonal products, or a curated basket filled with local goodies. Run the giveaway on social media or in-store. Also, be sure to thank your customers for their participation.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Use hashtags like #ThankfulForYou or #CustomerAppreciation to gain more traction online.

Feature Customers on Your Platforms

I recently did this one. You can check it out here: My Celebrating New Friends Offer. Now, that was for New Friends Day, but you could use the same idea for the holiday season. Shout out your new customers and best customers alike by featuring their stories, testimonials, or photos on your website and social media. Highlighting others builds a sense of community around your brand and could produce good backlinks!

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Make it fun by asking them to share their favorite Thanksgiving traditions or how they use your products/services during the holidays.

Offer Exclusive Holiday Deals

This is a great way to draw attention to your company while helping others! Try giving your customers a head start on holiday shopping with special Thanksgiving deals and suggestions. Create VIP-only discounts, bundle packages, or even an early-access Black Friday sale to reward your most loyal supporters. I have a VIP sign-up form.

Feel free to do something like this: VIP FORM.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Use email marketing to let your top customers know about these exclusive offers before anyone else; that way, they feel like VIPs!

Show Customer Appreciation with Surprise Small Gifts

A free gift? Sometimes, the little things leave the biggest impression. Surprise your customers with a small gift, like a branded holiday ornament, a coupon for future purchases, or a sweet treat. My mentor, Michelle Cunningham, does this well! These unexpected gestures can go a long way in building customer loyalty.

According to RingCentral’s guide to customer appreciation, even small gestures of gratitude can create stronger relationships than expensive gifts. It’s not about the price—it’s about the personal touch.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Include a thank-you card with a heartfelt message to make the gift extra special.

Host a Thanksgiving Social Media Challenge

Encourage customers to engage with your brand by hosting a Thanksgiving-themed challenge. Ask them to share what they’re thankful for or how they use your products in their holiday prep. Offer prizes for the most creative or heartfelt entries.

Sunni’s Pro Tip: Choose a branded hashtag for the challenge to boost your reach and visibility.

Bonus: Learn from the Experts

If you’re ready to get even more creative, the team at Copper compiled 15 memorable customer appreciation ideas—from simple shout-outs to loyalty programs—that can inspire your next campaign. Take a peek for fresh ideas you can adapt for your brand.

Customer Appreciation Matters. Why Not Let Simply Sunni Help You Shine This Thanksgiving? 

Expressing gratitude during Thanksgiving is one of my favorite keys to building long-term relationships. Loyal customers are your business’s backbone—they make you shine! Showing them you value their support will keep them coming back.

As the BBB reminds business owners, appreciation is key to lasting success: “Don’t take your customer relationships for granted; take the time to let your most loyal customers know how grateful you are.”

Now, here is one more word of advice. Don’t let the holiday rush steal your focus – yep, I said it. From crafting seasonal emails to creating social media campaigns that connect, Simply Sunni can help you deliver a customer appreciation strategy that you can tweak year after year. 

Need help creating heartfelt customer appreciation campaigns that stand out?
Contact Simply Sunni to plan your holiday strategy and sprinkle it with sunshine! 🌞