12 Vintage Thanksgiving Ads That Capture a Simpler Time

This piece presents 12 vintage advertisements that shaped how families experienced Thanksgiving in earlier decades. Each ad showcased the values, aesthetics, and domestic ideals of its time, from food and appliances to parades and family gatherings. Together, they create a nostalgic portrait of a simpler era in American holiday culture.

1. 1. Campbell’s Soup “Mmm Mmm Good” Holiday Ad (1950s)

This ad showed a rosy-cheeked family gathered around a steaming bowl of tomato soup before the big Thanksgiving meal. It highlighted the warmth and comfort that people associated with a holiday kitchen. It also reminded families that simple food had a place in the celebration.

2. 2. Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Print Ad (1940s)

This ad featured cheerful illustrations of giant balloons drifting above New York City. It celebrated the excitement children felt as they waited for the parade to begin. It also framed the parade as a national tradition that brought distant families together.

3. 3. Planters Mr. Peanut Thanksgiving Service Ad (1952)

This ad portrayed Mr. Peanut acting like a polite gentleman, serving nuts to guests before dinner. It captured the idea that snacks set the tone for hospitality. It also encouraged homemakers to keep things festive with small treats.

4. 4. Jell-O Thanksgiving Recipe Ad (1930s)

This ad promoted molded salads decorated with fruit and whipped cream as colorful table centerpieces. It invited home cooks to experiment with playful shapes to impress guests. It also showed how Jell-O became a staple of American holiday creativity.

5. 5. Morton Salt Holiday Cooking Ad (1960)

This ad featured a glowing kitchen scene in which the Morton Salt girl stood beside a perfectly seasoned turkey. It emphasized good seasoning as the secret to a satisfying feast. It also celebrated the charm of simple kitchen ingredients.

6. 6. Coca-Cola Family Gathering Thanksgiving Ad (1948)

This ad showed a family raising glass bottles of Coke around a crowded dinner table. It highlighted Coca-Cola as a symbol of connection during the holidays. It also suggested that every good meal included a refreshing drink.

7. 7. Pillsbury “Happy Thanksgiving from the Doughboy” Ad (1965)

This ad showed the Pillsbury Doughboy popping out of a basket of warm rolls. It celebrated the joy of sharing baked goods straight from the oven. It also reminded families that store mixes made holiday prep easier.

8. 8. Swift’s Premium Turkey Ad (1953)

This ad featured a perfectly roasted turkey surrounded by bright vegetables. It promoted the idea that a premium bird resulted in a flawless Thanksgiving dinner. It also reassured homemakers that quality meats reduced stress.

9. 9. Libby’s Pumpkin Pie Filling Ad (1950s)

This ad featured a tall pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream in the center. It highlighted Libby’s as the shortcut to a dependable dessert. It also reinforced the pie as the heart of the Thanksgiving table.

10. 10. Crisco Holiday Baking Ad (1940s)

This ad showed mothers baking pies and biscuits with bright smiles. It emphasized Crisco as the secret ingredient behind flaky crusts and tender pastries. It also suggested that the best desserts always started with a reliable fat.

11. 11. Sunbeam Bread “Thankful for Freshness” Ad (1951)

This ad featured a young girl holding a loaf of bread with a Thanksgiving banner above her head. It celebrated the idea that even simple bread added comfort to a holiday meal. It also showed that brands played a part in shaping holiday memories.

12. 12. General Electric Thanksgiving Appliances Ad (1954)

This ad displayed a shiny kitchen filled with new GE appliances, preparing a Thanksgiving feast. It highlighted how modern tools simplified holiday cooking. It also reflected the optimism of postwar households that valued convenience and style.

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• thanksgiving ads
• vintage ads
• simple thanksgiving
• family dinner