Why Thanksgiving Is the Best Time to Network

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday filled with food, travel, and family traditions. It’s also one of the best times to nurture your professional relationships. While the end of the year often brings a slower work pace and a reflective mood, it also opens the door to meaningful conversations. People naturally think about the year behind them, who helped them succeed, and what’s next.

Reaching out to your professional network during Thanksgiving is not about asking for favors or new opportunities. It’s about showing genuine appreciation and rebuilding ties that may have faded during the year. Gratitude is a powerful connector. When shared sincerely, it reminds people of shared experiences and mutual respect. The foundation of every strong professional relationship.

By taking a few thoughtful steps, you can turn this Thanksgiving season into one of personal reflection and professional growth.

Why timing matters: The Thanksgiving mindset

The timing of your outreach matters as much as what you say. Thanksgiving creates a natural pause in everyone’s busy schedule. It’s a moment when people are open to heartfelt messages and lighter conversations. This shift in mindset makes it easier to reconnect without the pressure of business goals or deadlines.

Think about it: during other parts of the year, people might view unexpected messages as networking attempts. But during Thanksgiving, appreciation feels right at home. Gratitude fits the spirit of the season, making your message more welcome and more likely to be remembered.

A short, thoughtful message during Thanksgiving might lead to an exchange that rekindles a valuable connection. One that feels both personal and professional.

The power of gratitude in professional relationships

Gratitude is not just good manners; it’s good strategy. Studies have shown that expressing appreciation strengthens trust, increases cooperation, and improves how others perceive you. In the workplace, a simple thank-you can carry more influence than a long pitch.

When you take the time to thank people who’ve shaped your professional path, you remind them that their guidance and support matter. That’s not only meaningful to them but also helps you stand out from the crowd. Most people only reach out when they need something. Thanksgiving gives you the chance to do the opposite, to give without expecting anything back.

Here are some small but effective ways to express gratitude during Thanksgiving:

Send a personal thank-you message to a mentor, former boss, or colleague who influenced your work.
Write a short LinkedIn post highlighting something you’re grateful for professionally, and tag the people involved.
Mail a handwritten note to someone who supported you this year. In a digital world, physical notes feel rare and sincere.
Offer help or encouragement in return. Share a resource, refer someone, or provide feedback.

These actions build goodwill that lasts well beyond the holiday season.

Easy ways to reconnect during Thanksgiving

Reconnecting doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, simple gestures often feel the most genuine. During Thanksgiving week, focus on friendly and low-pressure ways to check in.

Here are a few approaches:

Send a brief message. You can say something like, “I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to take a moment during Thanksgiving to thank you for your advice earlier this year. It really helped me move forward.”
Comment on updates. Engage with posts from former coworkers or mentors on LinkedIn. A supportive comment or share is an easy way to rekindle familiarity.
Start a casual conversation. You can mention something relatable, like holiday plans or upcoming goals for the next year.
Share something helpful. Send an article, podcast, or update that you think they’ll find interesting.

These actions show warmth without overstepping boundaries. They remind people that you value the relationship, not just what it might bring you.

Turning casual check-ins into opportunities

When done right, casual check-ins during Thanksgiving can lead to new possibilities, collaborations, job leads, or mentorship opportunities. But it’s important to approach these conversations with sincerity first, opportunity second.

If you’re reconnecting after a long time, start light. Ask about their current projects, wish them well, and express appreciation. Once the conversation flows naturally, you can touch on your own work or goals. Keep the tone friendly, not promotional.

For example:

“I’ve been working on a few new projects this year that made me think of your advice about career pivots. I’d love to hear what you’ve been up to lately.”

That type of message feels personal and professional at the same time. After the holiday, you can follow up with a thank-you note or suggest catching up more formally. The key is to build momentum slowly, not rush it.

Using social platforms to strengthen your network

Social media gives you a powerful way to reconnect during Thanksgiving without needing to message everyone individually. A thoughtful post can reach many people and start natural conversations.

Here are a few effective strategies:

Post a message of gratitude. Share a short reflection about what you’re thankful for in your career and the people who supported you. Keep it authentic, not overly formal.
Tag specific people. Acknowledging mentors, coworkers, or clients by name makes your appreciation more personal.
Engage with others’ content. Liking, commenting, or sharing posts from your contacts keeps you visible in their feeds.
Share a useful resource. Articles about career development, productivity, or leadership resonate during the reflective Thanksgiving period.

Online visibility can strengthen relationships you haven’t maintained regularly. It shows that you’re active, positive, and connected, qualities that make people more likely to reach out in return.

Balancing personal warmth with professional intent

Thanksgiving is a holiday rooted in emotion, but your professional outreach still needs balance. You want to come across as friendly without crossing into overly casual territory. The best way to do this is to blend gratitude with purpose.

Here’s how to keep your tone right:

Start with appreciation. Begin your message with genuine thanks or acknowledgment.
Add a personal note. Mention something specific, such as advice they gave or a project you worked on together.
Shift to professional interest. Ask how they’ve been, share a quick update about your current work, or mention something relevant to both of you.
End with goodwill. Close with a warm note that fits the season: “Wishing you a restful Thanksgiving and a great start to the new year.”

That mix shows you value the relationship on both a personal and professional level.

How to keep the connection going after the holiday

The best part of reconnecting during Thanksgiving is that it sets the stage for long-term engagement. Don’t let your outreach end with one message. Keep the relationship alive with consistent, light-touch communication throughout the year.

Here are a few ways to stay connected after Thanksgiving:

Follow up in January. Send a short New Year note to continue the conversation.
Share relevant updates. If you come across something that relates to their interests, forward it with a brief message.
Celebrate their wins. Congratulate them on promotions, new roles, or published work.
Offer value first. Whenever possible, look for ways to help them before asking for help yourself.
Schedule check-ins. Once or twice a year, set a reminder to reconnect and exchange updates.

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about nurturing relationships. By keeping in touch regularly, you transform a seasonal check-in into a steady professional connection built on mutual respect and shared goals.

Conclusion: Make Thanksgiving your networking tradition

Thanksgiving reminds us to pause, reflect, and give thanks. It’s a holiday that encourages kindness, connection, and appreciation. The same values that build lasting professional relationships. When you reach out to your network during this time, your message feels authentic and memorable because it aligns perfectly with the spirit of the season.

Whether you send a thank-you note to a mentor, comment on a colleague’s success, or share a thoughtful post online, your effort matters. These gestures create momentum that can carry you into the new year with stronger relationships and a refreshed sense of community.

So, as you plan your Thanksgiving celebrations, take a few moments to reach out to the people who helped shape your professional journey. Let them know they made a difference. One message of appreciation could spark an opportunity, a collaboration, or simply a meaningful reconnection.

Gratitude builds bridges. And Thanksgiving is the perfect time to cross them.

Sara Duerr

Sara has been in the career development field for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She covers topics such as resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, career planning, and more. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Medium. She has curated our free downloadable resume templates for Word and resume templates for Google Docs.