Saint Nick's evil counterpart: Krampus
Karli Strom - Editor in Chief
While Santa Claus may be checking his list to see who’s naughty or nice, companion of old St. Nicholas, Krampus, prefers to take a more devilish approach.
Krampus is popular folklore figure that originates from Germany. He’s a half-goat, half-demon creature that punishes children who’ve misbehaved throughout the year.
The folk story tells that Krampus and St. Nicholas both arrive on December 5, dubbed “Krampus Night,” where St. Nicholas leaves gifts for the good children and Krampus will beat the naughty with sticks.
The legend of Krampus has become more popular over the years, with original efforts to preserve the cultural heritage in Austria and Germany. Activities like Krampuslauf, also known as “Krampus run,” where people would dress as Krampus and walk in a parade to scare the onlookers are one of the few ways his impact has continued.
If you’re not quite ready to let Halloween go this holiday season, catch the Christmas horror-flick starring Krampus himself. In 2015, the horror film Krampus was released on December 4 to honor the eve of “Krampus Night.”
The film follows a dysfunctional family facing the hardships of Christmas. They soon face the harsh realities of their wavering Christmas spirit dealing with Krampus and his minions in a bloody fight. It may just serve as a reminder to be on your best behavior and full of holiday cheer this season.