Who is Krampus?

From German Girls Genealogy (Teresa Steinkamp McMillin & Debra A. Hoffman):

While at the International German Genealogical Conference last week, there were many German-themed vendors. One of the vendors was selling homemade artistic Christmas ornaments. Christmas in June–only a short six months away! Debra’s husband, Dave, decided they needed a Krampus Christmas ornament.

Krampus is a mythical creature meant to be the antithesis of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. As with many German fairy tales, he is meant to incentivize children to behave. Krampus punishes children who have been bad while Santa rewards well-behaved children with gifts.

It is probably no coincidence that Krampus is satanic in his looks. As shown with this ornament, he has shaggy hair, horns, and a long red tongue. He carries chains, a bundle of birch branches or rods (Ruten), and a basket for carrying naughty children. As with Marley in A Christmas Carol, Krampus will rattle his chains to incite fear. The birch rods are used to swat bad children, and the basket was the means for carrying bad children away.

Krampus Night (Krampusnacht) is held on the night of December 5^th, which is right before the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6^th. In the 1600s, Krampus was paired with Saint Nicholas as a helper to punish the naughty children since Nicholas was a saint and it would not be considered saintly behavior to deliver punishments.

Krampus has become increasingly popular in modern times. You can find him depicted on postcards and he has even made appearances in movies and on television.

What do you think of this Krampus ornament that Dave bought? Would you bring him into your household??