Gratitude Season: Thoughtful Thanksgiving Cards & Host Gifts They'll Love
Every September, families begin browsing Thanksgiving cards earlier and asking about seasonal options. Research shows that 73% of Canadians plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, with most spending between $50 and $99. Interestingly, a Harvard Medical School study found that writing gratitude letters boosted happiness more than any other activity they tested—effects that lasted for a full month. With Thanksgiving falling on October 13 this year, it’s a reminder of why some gifts and cards carry such meaningful impact.
Cards That Actually Matter
Texting may dominate day-to-day communication, but when it comes to life’s big moments, people still reach for real cards. The Canadian greeting card market is valued at over $220 million and continues to thrive. Research from Dr. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania found that writing and delivering gratitude letters produced the highest boost in happiness compared to other activities—and the effect lasted for a full month.
It makes sense: holding paper, seeing handwriting, and keeping a card on display creates a lasting connection that a text can’t match. Surveys show that about half of people still prefer physical cards over digital ones, and even younger generations are embracing the tradition. Many Gen Z customers admit they save their most meaningful cards, often as keepsakes that stay treasured for years.
Why Canadian Thanksgiving Hits Different
I love that we do Thanksgiving in October. While Americans are still dealing with back-to-school chaos, we get this perfect autumn moment. The leaves are peak gorgeous, harvest is done, and families actually have time to breathe.
Our version started way back in 1879 - way longer than most people realize. What I'm seeing lately is families moving beyond just the turkey dinner routine. They want meaningful connection. Real gratitude, not just going through the motions.
Want something completely different this year? Check out our recordable storybooks. One customer recorded one for her grandson in Toronto. She was crying happy tears the whole time. "He'll have my voice forever," she said.
Host Gifts That Don't Suck
Let’s be real about host gifts. Most people grab whatever's at the grocery store checkout. Wine, flowers, chocolate. Fine, but forgettable.
Hosts have most likely been planning for weeks. Cleaning, shopping, coordinating cousin drama. They're exhausted before anyone even shows up.
The gifts that get remembered? The ones that show you actually thought about them as a person.
Take our Willow Tree figurines. We’ve sold dozens of the "Angel of the Kitchen" figurines to people who want to honour that person who always makes everyone feel fed and loved. "Cozy" is perfect for hosts who create those warm spaces where everyone wants to linger.
Here's our favourite thing though - autumn puzzles. "Old Pumpkin Farm," "Apple Pie Kitchen" are sure fire ways to bring a smile to your host’s face. A customer told us last year, "After everyone left and the dishes were done, my sister and I stayed up until 2 AM working on that puzzle you recommended. Best part of the whole weekend."
The Better Together collection makes people smile every single time – think "Pancakes and Syrup" and "Holiday Feast" sets. They're quirky and fun. Perfect for that host who doesn't take themselves too seriously.
Making it Stick Year-Round
Research from UC Davis and the University of Miami shows that handwritten gratitude letters create stronger emotional connections than digital messages—even today. Thanksgiving offers the perfect opportunity to pause and begin new traditions that cultivate gratitude year-round. Simple habits, like writing one thank-you note per month or starting a family gratitude jar, can have a lasting impact.
Some families extend the spirit of the holiday by beginning gratitude journals together after dinner, while others commit to weekly “gratitude challenges,” expressing appreciation to someone new each week. These small practices reflect the deeper meaning of Thanksgiving—building stronger connections, fostering thankfulness, and carrying its spirit well beyond a single day.
The Real Deal
This Thanksgiving season, while families gather and celebrate harvest blessings, your thoughtful cards and gifts become part of something bigger. They're threads in Canada's ongoing story of connection.
The science backs it up. Taking time to acknowledge goodness in relationships doesn't just make others feel appreciated. It rewires your own brain for joy and connection.
At Hallmark Timmins, we see this every day. Cards and gifts aren't just products - they're tools for building the relationships that make life meaningful. Our selection reflects both cutting-edge gratitude research and the uniquely Canadian values that make our Thanksgiving special.
In a world that moves too fast and feels disconnected too often, choosing to express gratitude thoughtfully becomes revolutionary. It's a gift to others and an investment in your own happiness.
Simple as that.
