Christmas wishes for in-laws USA families love to send at the holidays carry warmth, gratitude, and a little American cheer. Whether you are writing to your mother-in-law in Texas, your father-in-law in Ohio, or your brother-in-law and sister-in-law across the country, the right words can make the family dinner feel even closer. This list brings together heartfelt, funny, and short messages made for American homes, snowy mornings, and long drives home for Christmas. In-laws become family in the truest sense at Christmas. They welcome you to the table, share treasured recipes, cheer for the same football team, and help trim the tree. A thoughtful wish thanks them for that welcome and tells them how much their love means through the year. Use these 45 wishes in a card, a text, a holiday letter, or a toast at the table. Pick one that fits your family, add a personal line about a shared memory, and send it early so it arrives before the turkey is carved and the eggnog is poured. Last up...
15 Best Things to Do at Christmas in Brunico (2026)
Brunico, known in German as Bruneck, is the largest town of the Puster Valley in South Tyrol, Italy, at the foot of Plan de Corones, better known as Kronplatz. This compact town blends a medieval old town, a castle hill, and a ski mountain into one walkable base.
At Christmas, Brunico glows: lights line the old streets, huts sell handcrafted gifts, and spiced wine scents the squares. The market is smaller and calmer than the famous fairs of Bolzano and Merano, which is its charm: browse slowly, meet the makers, and taste valley food.
Beyond the market, climb to Bruneck Castle, wander the Stadtgasse, skate on Gilm Square, and ride the gondola from Riscone up Kronplatz. Families love the marble run and St Nicholas procession; couples find quiet wine bars.
Here are the 15 best things to do at Christmas in Brunico. Greet locals with Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas in German) or Buon Natale (the Italian equivalent).
Last updated: November 3, 2026
Jump to: The Christmas Market | Food and Drink | Sights and Old Town Walks | Winter on Plan de Corones | Day Trips and Planning
The Christmas Market
The market runs November 27, 2026 to January 6, 2027, daily 10:00-19:00, except December 24 (10:00-14:00); it is closed December 25. Food stalls open to 20:00 Sunday-Thursday, 21:00 Friday, Saturday, and holiday eves. Check the official Brunico tourism site before traveling, as dates can shift.
- Wander the market on Via Bastioni, Graben, and Piazza Paul Tschurtschenthaler. Over 35 wooden huts sell carved ornaments, candles, knitwear, and nativity figures; visit in late afternoon, when the lights come on.
- Browse the Palazzo Sternbach weekend craft market. Local artisans show pottery, jewelry, textiles, and woodwork inside this old town palace, ideal for a handmade gift.
- Shop for South Tyrolean products at Fienile Alto Adige. Cheeses, speck, jams, honey, herbal teas, and carved gifts gather under one roof; taste before you buy.
Food and Drink
- Taste a baked potato from the Puste oven. Piping hot with cheese, speck, or herb butter, this classic is simple, filling, and ideal for eating as you stroll.
- Warm up with goulash soup in a bread bowl. Rich paprika-scented beef soup in hollowed bread is a winter staple; pair it with Vin Brulé (Italian mulled wine) or Glühwein (its German cousin).
- Save room for Strauben, Zelten, and apple strudel. Strauben are crisp sugar-dusted spirals, Zelten is a dense fruit and nut cake, and warm apple strudel with vanilla sauce finishes perfectly.
Sights and Old Town Walks
- Visit Bruneck Castle and the Messner Mountain Museum Ripa. The castle above the old town houses a museum about mountain peoples, with valley views.
- Stroll the Stadtgasse shopping street. Boutiques, bakeries, bookshops, and inns line this arcaded street beneath painted facades, sparkling at Christmas.
- Skate on the ice rink on Gilm Square. The rink in the heart of town offers skate hire and nearby stalls, a joyful hour between sightseeing and dinner.
Winter on Plan de Corones
- Ride the Kronplatz gondola from Riscone. The gondola climbs from Riscone, just outside Brunico, to the snowy summit plateau, where wide sunny pistes suit every level.
- Visit MMM Corones and the LUMEN mountain photography museum. These two summit museums celebrate mountaineering and mountain photography, with panoramas to match.
- Enjoy the wooden marble run and Wednesday evening concerts. Children love the wooden marble run near the market, while Wednesday concerts add live music to festive evenings.
Day Trips and Planning
- Join the St Nicholas procession on December 6. St Nicholas arrives with angels and Krampus figures in a lively old town parade; arrive early for a good spot.
- See the living nativity parade on December 21. Costumed figures, animals, and music recreate the nativity story through decorated streets, a pre-Christmas centerpiece.
- Take day trips to Lago di Braies, Bressanone, San Candido, and Val Badia. Lago di Braies is a jewel-like alpine lake, Bressanone charms with its cathedral quarter, San Candido has a pretty market, and Val Badia brings Dolomite scenery.
Make It Yours
For Families
Stay near the old town so the market, rink, and marble run are on foot. Ride the gondola on a clear morning, then return for hot chocolate.
For Couples
Stroll the market in late afternoon, dine in a candlelit Stadtgasse inn, and skate on Gilm Square after dark.
On a Budget
Focus on free pleasures: market browsing, old town walks, and Wednesday concerts. Share a baked potato and bread-bowl soup for lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Brunico Christmas market open in 2026?
November 27, 2026 to January 6, 2027, daily 10:00-19:00, except December 24 (10:00-14:00); closed December 25. Check the official Brunico tourism site before traveling.
Is Brunico worth visiting at Christmas without skiing?
Yes. The market, castle, walks, ice rink, concerts, and parades fill several days without skis, and non-skiers can ride the gondola for museums and views.
How do I get to Brunico?
Trains run along the Puster Valley to Brunico station, connecting at Fortezza and San Candido. Drivers take the A22 to Bressanone, then the valley road east.
Where should I stay in Brunico at Christmas?
Stay near the old town for the market and restaurants, or in Riscone for gondola access. Book early for December weekends.
What should I eat at the Brunico Christmas market?
Start with a baked potato from the Puste oven and goulash soup in a bread bowl, then Strauben, Zelten, and apple strudel, with Vin Brulé or Glühwein.
What is the best day trip from Brunico at Christmas?
Lago di Braies is most spectacular under fresh snow, while Bressanone offers a second market and cathedral quarter. San Candido and Val Badia suit quieter tastes.
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