October 29, 2026

Thanksgiving invitation wording, from family dinner to Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving invitation wording for family dinners, formal suppers and Friendsgiving, plus what to include, when to send it and the lines for dishes and kids.

Thanksgiving invitations are a little different from other party invites. Half the guests assume they’re coming, the other half are juggling two families, and everyone wants to know the same three things: what time do we eat, what should I bring, and can the kids come? Here’s what to include, wording for every kind of Thanksgiving, and when to send it.

What to include

The time you’ll eat, not just the time to arrive. “Come at 2, dinner at 3” saves you from guests who show up as the turkey comes out, or two hours early.
The address, with parking notes if the street fills up.
What to bring, or that you’ve got it all covered.
Who’s invited: kids, partners, the friend who’s in town.
How and when to RSVP, so you know how big a bird to buy.

When to send it

Send Thanksgiving invitations three to four weeks before, which lands in late October or the first days of November. Families who split the day between two houses settle their plans early, so a date and time from you helps them say yes. For a Friendsgiving the weekend before, the same three to four weeks works. If you’d like a head count by a certain day, put it on the invite: “Let us know by November 15 so we can plan the turkey.”

Sample wording: family dinner

Join us for Thanksgiving dinner at the [Last name] house, Thursday at [time]. Come hungry!

We’re giving thanks for family and friends, and we’d love you at our table. Thanksgiving dinner, [time] at [address].

Thanksgiving at Grandma’s: doors open at [time], dinner at [time], pie whenever you’re ready.

The table’s set and the turkey’s on. Join us for Thanksgiving, [time].

Sample wording: formal or elegant

The pleasure of your company is requested at Thanksgiving dinner, Thursday, the [date] of November, at four o’clock.

Please join us for a candlelit Thanksgiving supper, [time]. Kindly reply by [date].

With gratitude for all of you, we invite you to Thanksgiving dinner at [place], [time].

Sample wording: casual and fun

Turkey, pie and a well-earned nap. Thanksgiving at our place, [time].

Stretchy pants recommended. Thanksgiving dinner at [time].

Come for the turkey, stay for the leftovers. Thanksgiving at the [Last name]s’, [time].

Gobble till you wobble. Dinner’s at [time].

Sample wording: Friendsgiving

Friends are the family we choose. Join us for Friendsgiving, [date] at [time].

It’s Friendsgiving! We’ve got the turkey; you bring a side, a dessert or a bottle. [Date], [time].

Eat, drink and be thankful. Friendsgiving at our place, [date], [time] till late.

A potluck of gratitude: bring your favorite dish and your favorite people. Friendsgiving, [date].

Sample wording: just for dessert

Some guests have dinner elsewhere. Invite them for the second act:

Already have dinner plans? Come by for pie and coffee after 6.

Dessert’s at our place: pie, pie and more pie, from [time].

Lines for the practical parts

Dishes: “We’ve got the turkey and the trimmings. If you’d like to bring something, a dessert or a bottle of wine would be perfect.” Or, for a potluck, “Sign up for a dish so we cover the whole table.”
Arrival and dinner: “Come at [time]; we’ll sit down at [time].”
Kids: “There’s a kids’ table and plenty of room to run around.” Or, “This one’s for the grown-ups.”
Dietary needs: “Let us know about allergies or diets so there’s something for everyone.”
The game: “The game’s on in the den after dinner.” No trademarks needed; everyone knows which game.
Leftovers: “Bring a container: we always make too much.”
Staying over: “Out-of-towners, the guest room’s yours. Let us know.”

Planning around the invite

Count the yeses early. A bigger bird takes longer to thaw and roast, so you’ll want the number about a week out.
Write out the day. A rough schedule (arrive, appetizers, dinner, the walk, dessert) helps the kitchen and the guests.
Hosting friends instead? The Friendsgiving ideas post covers the food, what guests bring and games for the table.
Fill the gaps. If it’s a potluck, check the sign-up a week before and ask someone directly for anything missing. The potluck sign-up sheet post has a list to start from, and how much food per guest covers the turkey math.

How letsparty helps

letsparty has a whole shelf of Thanksgiving designs, from a cozy farmhouse table to a retro Friendsgiving, each one opening like an envelope with your guest’s name on it. Under The plan in Edit details, put the day in parts (“2:00 Come on over · 3:00 Dinner · 5:00 Pie”), so the dinner time is right on the invite. Tick Let guests sign up to bring something and list the dishes you need, and each one shows how many are still needed until it’s covered. Invites go out as texts from your own phone, or by email, and everyone answers by name, so you know exactly who’s at the table. Your year can even remind you when it’s time to send next year’s. The guide plan your first party walks through it.