Thanksgiving Ads That Take You Back in Time
A nostalgic look at the creative choices that once defined holiday marketing
The holiday season always puts extra pressure on brands to stand out. Every year, marketing teams try to find a new angle, a clever twist, or a memorable visual that will make their product shine among countless festive campaigns.
The routine of brainstorming and planning may look familiar from one season to the next, but the actual results rarely feel the same.
Trends shift, design styles evolve, and consumer expectations change, which becomes obvious the moment you compare old ads to modern ones. That’s why revisiting vintage Thanksgiving promotions is so fascinating. They offer a snapshot of what people once found appealing, funny, or convincing.
Some rely heavily on warm family imagery, while others go all-in with bold slogans or quirky drawings that would never make it past a marketing meeting today. Yet, in many ways, they still aim for the same goal: capturing attention and making a product irresistible during one of the biggest food-centered holidays of the year.
Brands used to emphasize hearty meals, generous spreads, and classic comfort dishes, hoping to tap into the excitement people feel leading up to Thanksgiving dinner. Even the products that had nothing to do with food tried to connect themselves to that festive atmosphere, promising convenience, happiness, or a smoother celebration overall.
As you scroll through the vintage images, you’ll spot many charming details from cheerful families gathered around the table to dramatic illustrations of overflowing plates. Some designs may look amusing by today’s standards, while others surprisingly hold up and could still work with only minor updates. Just be warned: several of these retro ads feature delicious-looking meals, so it might be wise not to browse them while hungry.
Vintage Thanksgiving
nipnopflipflopsBorden’s, 1925 Ad
reddit.com"Garfield’s Thanksgiving Special" First Aired 31 Years Ago, November 22, 1989, On Cbs
RetroNewsNow
"Thanksgiving Without Walnuts?" - Diamond Walnuts (1929)
html5gamerguy
World War II Thanksgiving Whiskey Ad, Eighty-One Years Ago
BeschlossDC
Vintage Thanksgiving-Inspired Ads
CincoDeMayoFan
When Butter Was Something We Enjoyed Without a Second Thought.
Jamie
Vintage Thanksgiving
nipnopflipflops
"When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best", Thanksgiving Card, Hallmark Cards, 1959
reddit.com
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
Vintage Thanksgiving vibes in one timeless snapshot.
nipnopflipflops
It’s Ocean Spray Cranberry Time
Beyond Spots & Dots
Vintage Thanksgiving charm.
nipnopflipflops
Holiday magic arrives right on time!
nostalgiapix25
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
Cbs Primetime, November 15, 1979: - "The Bugs Bunny Thanksgiving Diet"
RetroNewsNow
The holiday season arrives.
nipnopflipflops
This 1962 Retro Ad Features A Thanksgiving Staple, Tupperware!
Memory Road
In 1943 - Even In The Midst Of World War II - Americans Were Reminded They Had Many Reasons To Be Thankful. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!!
The "Rosies" of Mare Island Naval Shipyard - WWII
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
Vintage Thanksgiving Ad Featured in Life Magazine.
techfun
Vintage Thanksgiving nostalgia.
nipnopflipflops
1955 Mccormick Spices Thanksgiving Advertisement
reddit.com
Tomato Soup Thanksgiving Ad
Save The Soup
A timeless touch of Vintage Thanksgiving.
nipnopflipflops
Newspaper Ad For A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1980s)
Tony_Tanna78
1950 Ad For Kraft Sliced Cheese
morganmonroe81
Be A Sauce Boss
Rewind The Fifties
A warm throwback to Vintage Thanksgiving
nipnopflipflops
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
1956 Schlitz Thanksgiving Advertising
reddit.com
This Vintage Advertisement From McCormick & Company. What's Your Favorite Holiday Spice?
BeyondSpotsDots
Vintage Thanksgiving Themed Advertising
CincoDeMayoFan
Vintage Thanksgiving memories revived.
CincoDeMayoFan
Old-school Thanksgiving in a single shot
nipnopflipflops
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Sex Act - Short Film
Bells Thanksgiving Ad 1963
eriebasinrustics
Gold Medal Flour Thanksgiving Ad, Saturday Evening Post, 1911
RedKittieKat
People's Market In Oakland California Advertising A 24 Case Of Coca-Cola Bottles On Sale For Less That A Dollar With Coupon! (1968)
AxlCobainVedder
Wendy's Hamburgers - November 1978 - Thanksgiving - Lawrence, Ks
AxlCobainVedder
Shoney's Thanksgiving Dinner - November 1976
AxlCobainVedder
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
Vintage Jell-O Ad
Pretty Ugly Foods
Just In Time For Thanksgiving
Hunky Punky
Van Camp's Pork & Beans And Spam With Thanksgiving Bonus From Bh&g, 1949
RedKittieKat
Thanksgiving Ad From Life Magazine
techfun
A glimpse into a Vintage Thanksgiving past.
CincoDeMayoFan
Thanksgiving! Let Us Do The Cooking (And The Cleaning) This Sunday For Brunch Or Dinner
Jamie
Retro Thanksgiving energy in one picture .
CincoDeMayoFan
Vintage Thanksgiving
nipnopflipflops
Howard Johnson’s Restaurant, Thanksgiving Menu, Long Island, Early 60s
AxlCobainVedder
Antique Cream Of Wheat Thanksgiving Ad
myvisionvivid
Shoney's Big Boy Thanksgiving Dinner - November 1975
AxlCobainVedder
1951 Newspaper Ad For The Green Ridge Turkey Farm In Nashua, New Hampshire!
AxlCobainVedder
Dairy Queen Thanksgiving Special -November 1974 - Leonard & Whitewright Tx
AxlCobainVedder
Exploring old Thanksgiving ads shows how much holiday marketing has changed while still holding on to familiar themes. Vintage designs reveal the values, humor, and traditions that shaped earlier celebrations, and comparing them to today’s campaigns highlights how creativity shifts with each generation.
Whether charming, odd, or surprisingly timeless, these ads capture the spirit of the season and remind us that marketers have always chased the same goal: making their message unforgettable.
