Have a naughty child? Forget coal, call in Krampus!
Is your child naughty enough to get a visit from Krampus? AP Images
Forget about giving coal or switches to naughty children, apparently according to Austrian tradition you can call in a guy much, much scarier to set them straight.
Meet Krampus – the scary horned goat-like demon that visits naughty kids.
“Krampus is St. Nick’s evil side. He is the punishment for naughty children. According to lore, he shows up in town with birch branch switches in one hand, sometimes chains in the other. He, like his jolly counterpart St. Nick, also carries a sack, but his intention is to use it to drag bad children to hell, or at least to his dark lair….”
“In Austria and other parts of Europe, the tradition in which Santa’s evil helper roamed the village was once held somewhat exclusively on Dec. 5, the day before the Feast of St. Nicholas:”
“Originally, Krampus had just the one day. A few men in each town dress up in furs, heavy boots, and a ghoulish mask topped with horns–with a switch in hand. Then they go to all the houses with small children, and when the parents open the door they run in and act menacing–growling and cracking their switches. The children scream. After everyone’s had a good fright, the parents invite the men to sit down and have a few shots of kirsch or schnapps, which they always accept. Not surprisingly, by the end of the night the Krampuses’ growls are a little slurred, their switch-cracking is a little too close to the children, and parents have to make sure their kids don’t look out the window, lest they catch a glimpse of the Krampus puking in a gutter.”
Check out these other weird and wonderful Christmas traditions from around the world
Would you ever show your kids this or tell your kids this? Would it scare the heck out of them? This would scare my kids tremendously. You guys know I would never even show my kids this much less threaten them with it.
How bad would your kids have to behave to get the Krampus treatment? Have you ever given them coal or switches? (Michael said when they lived in Germany, he did get coal one year in his shoes instead of candy. He told the kids all about this. )
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» Have a naughty child? Forget coal, call in Krampus! – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) » Energized Energized
December 12th, 2012
4:09 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Kiki
December 12th, 2012
5:28 am
I would NEVER show this to my kids! That would give ME nightmares, not to mention what it would do to them! However, last year my 4yr old was having a really bad week right before Christmas. I kept warning him that Santa was watching. Then I pretended that Santa was coming (a few days early) one night. The next morning, there was “reindeer poop” under the tree with shredded tissue all over. The reindeer could smell naughty and couldn’t control themselves. He could tell it was SANTAS reindeers as the poop had Christmas magic dust all in it (fine craft glitter).
motherjanegoose
December 12th, 2012
7:46 am
I have never heard of Krampus. I have heard of the spiderweb story. The pooping stories in the photos above are even weirder, to me.
Our American Santa is certainly different than other Santas and celebrations. This is one I learned about at a young age: “For example, in the Netherlands St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of the day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. Simple gift-giving in early Advent helps preserve a Christmas Day focus on the Christ Child.”
Mayhem
December 12th, 2012
7:55 am
No need…
My oldest daughter has a nasty habit of saying people are Stupid and annoying. I told her a few weeks ago, that every time she said Stupid or Annoying, Santa was taking a present away. It got to be a joke, and she now OWES Santa presents….LOL.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
8:34 am
“Would you ever show your kids this or tell your kids this? Would it scare the heck out of them?
The fact that you even asked those questions makes me think you’re a horrible parent.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
8:35 am
“Our American Santa is certainly different than other Santas and celebrations.”
Santa, in general, is a stupid idea. Lying to your kids about an old fat man who gives you things for free is a very stupid idea.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
8:36 am
“He could tell it was SANTAS reindeers as the poop had Christmas magic dust all in it ‘
And people wonder why their kids grow up to be serial killers, rapists and serial liars.
Georgia
December 12th, 2012
8:50 am
Krampus has been fighting the war on Christmas for centuries. Don’t tell Hannity. He’ll do a whole week on Krampus as part of Hannity’s perpetual series exposing the war on xmas. What would we do without Hannity’s vigorous investigative brand of journalism.
Yo Phil.....
December 12th, 2012
8:57 am
Lying to your kids about Santa, but God and Jesus are real?
FCM
December 12th, 2012
9:06 am
The sad truth is we American’s get the kids to buy into all the “good”, like Santa and there is no counter part. No Voldemort type to balance the persepectives. Would I let that creature from Walking Dead in my house? Heck NO! Should be there something? Probably.
I do wonder if Krumpus is why the Roper children were always so well behaved….their parents were from Australia so perhaps he was known there? I know that the Huttenbach children (parents from Holland) knew about candy in shoes, and switches in them too.
No kid worries that Santa won’t visit because they are bad…Buford explained it on Phineas and Ferb. He does one really BIG good thing before Christmas and it works out. Kids do worry that they might be off the grid because a parent is out of work….Shameless plug: Clark Howard, Salavation Army, if you can try to find some way to share with a child (especially the tweens/teens) that may not have Christmas without your help.
FCM
December 12th, 2012
9:07 am
sorry it should say “should there be something?” I moved my verb.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
9:29 am
“but God and Jesus are real?”
Yes.
Yo Phil.....
December 12th, 2012
9:46 am
That just never ceases to amaze me.
God and Jesus are real but Santa is a big fat lie…….Most kids can see Santa, but I’m willing to bet no child has ever seen God.
Voice of Reason
December 12th, 2012
10:12 am
No amount of therapy later in life will help a child who experiences this.
Erin
December 12th, 2012
10:29 am
That would scare the bejesus out any kid I know, so NO, I wouldn’t show it to them at all!
mystery poster
December 12th, 2012
10:30 am
Sounds and looks like the “krampus” that visit me once a month!
jarvis
December 12th, 2012
10:45 am
@Phil, I’m going to need to see your data on the Santa myth and serial killers. Or are you as usual just making outlandish statements for the sake of making outlandish statements?
Kat
December 12th, 2012
11:10 am
A great podcast about science and monsters. Possibly unsuitable for children though. They have done an episode about this creature. http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/
Kat
December 12th, 2012
11:11 am
I didn’t realize how good my kids had it with only the Elf on the Shelf to keep the kids in line.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
11:13 am
“God and Jesus are real but Santa is a big fat lie…….Most kids can see Santa, but I’m willing to bet no child has ever seen God.”
They can see Santa? Really? LOL! Do they see him flying with magical reindeer and coming down the chimney at night?
No child has ever seen God? So you’ve been to the afterlife?
Wow, you are an amazingly confused person.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
11:14 am
“I’m going to need to see your data on the Santa myth and serial killers. Or are you as usual just making outlandish statements for the sake of making outlandish statements?
Reading comprehension isn’t your thang is it, yo?
Yo Phil.....
December 12th, 2012
11:33 am
Yes, Santa is very visable this time of year. You see him in the Malls, on the corners, etc.
How does one shield their child from that….and WHY?????
“Mommie Mommie I see Santa…he’s waiving.”
“Don’t be sillly Johnny, he isn’t real. I don’t see anything. Now go open your Bible and READ about Jesus, and how his Mom, who NEVER had sex, got pregnanta and had a baby. Then read about the burning bush that’s talks, along with that snake who told Eve to bite the apple. Then read about how Jesus died, was put in a cave with a 3 ton boulder in front and how he rose from the dead 3 days later, moved that boulder, and is still alive, 2012 years later.”
” But Mommie I see Santa right there!!!”
“No pumpkin, its a figment of your imagination. Let’s go read the Bible.”
But Mommie, all my friends are telling him what they want for Christmas.”
That’s just silly Johnny. Their parents are twisted. Now, go read that bible. There’s truth in THAT”…….
Goaltender
December 12th, 2012
11:49 am
Sheesh people, lighten up. Of course I’d never do this to my kid, but c’mon, Krampus the X-mas monster coming to scare kids straight? That’s hilarious! Go österreich (Austria)!
Santa has a sleigh and reindeer; I wonder what mode of transportation this guy has. I’m thinking The Krampusmobile, like a black Charger with horns and the like? Or maybe something more low tech like a rickshaw pulled by especially naughty children…
This is awesome. Ms. Giarrusso, you made my day.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
11:57 am
“Yes, Santa is very visable this time of year. You see him in the Malls, on the corners, etc.”
No, you see some old guy dressed in a santa suit. If you don’t know that then you really do have a low IQ.
Goaltender
December 12th, 2012
11:59 am
GD Phil. Just put the book down for a minute and enjoy the article. Not every article on the internet is a holy crusade.
Chaos
December 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Frak you! The Easter Bunny is real, I don’t care what you say.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
“Just put the book down for a minute and enjoy the article. Not every article on the internet is a holy crusade.”
Then again, I’m not the one who started an argument about religion.
Thanks for playing.
Mayhem
December 12th, 2012
12:33 pm
@Yo Phil…..Now that’s funny.
In my house, if you don’t believe in Santa, you get nothing on Xmas morning…..
PS we are atheists….we don’t believe in all that God stuff. I know, I know…we’re all going to hell…..
Dis Gus Ted
December 12th, 2012
12:39 pm
You’re all creating a weak nation of overprivledged babies. It’ll be scary when we’re all nursing homes and the Chinese walk in and take over. These children will lay down in a heartbeat. Bunch of wimps you’re all creating.
Tina
December 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
Mayhem – you state “we are all atheists in my house”. Does that mean you’re not allowing your children to decide if they believe in God or not? I ask because I wonder if atheists start at birth telling their baby that God is not real? I surely hope not.
Chaos
December 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
When my kids ask me about God I shrug my shoulders and say, “Oh, you mean the invisible man in the clouds?”
/Magic is the answer
kimmer
December 12th, 2012
1:23 pm
I am just thanking my lucky stars that I didn’t grow up in austria. Its one thing to tell kids a tale about this but to actually have him come and visit them? Whoa!
Mayhem
December 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
@Tina – there are so many “gods” out there, allah’s, deities, etc, that we chose NOT to worship any ONE god. There are SO many religions that will tell you diffent things about “their” god. It gets confusing.
If my kids want to explore organized religions, it’s up to them, they are all old enough. My oldest has educated himself on numerous religions. The youngest ones don’t really care.
No we didn’t tell them from birth, we just let them know our thoughts as they were growing and came to us with questions. Like I said, they are free to explore whatever they wish. I like that they have open minds.
My youngest wanted to go to an Awana program, as the other neighborhood kids were going, and she wanted to be a part of the group. However, one night she came home in tears, and I asked her why? She said the leader told her that if she did not accept JC as her saviour, she would be going to hell. That really upset me, you don’t frighten a kid in to your beliefs/religion. So we sat down and explained OUR views to her, with an open mind.
I’m not trying to offend anyone, if you believe, then you believe. We don’t. I don’t believe in everlasting life, eternity, etc. I believe that once you die, you die. and that’s it.
I don’t believe there is A GOD looking down on all of us and watching our every move. I don’t believe in the power of prayer.
But, I think faith is what people need to deal with life. And I’m not against that. I just don’t follow the sheep…..
Sluggo
December 12th, 2012
1:49 pm
I’ve taken the following away from the blog today.
Santa can be seen while shopping this time of year.
Religion will forever remain a toxic subject.
I better brush up on Mandarin.
Finally, Mayhem’s oldest daughter might be correct in her assumption.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
2:16 pm
“She said the leader told her that if she did not accept JC as her saviour, she would be going to hell. That really upset me, you don’t frighten a kid in to your beliefs/religion.”
Then again, you weren’t there to hear what was said.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
2:18 pm
Tina
My experiences with atheists are pretty chill. I haven’t had any bad run-ins with anyone about what I believe or what they don’t believe. I have been around atheists that get offended about anything having to do with Christianity. I think they just want to pick a fight and get attention. It usually happens around Christmas or Easter and a lot of times happens more in the southeast than anywhere else in the country.
Chaos
December 12th, 2012
2:27 pm
“Then again, you weren’t there to hear what was said.”
Neither were you Phil, and why would you call Mayhem’s daughter a liar.
Tina
December 12th, 2012
2:38 pm
Thanks for the explanation Mayhem, I was just curious. I am a believer and my children are as well. We are not devout christians as some are but we believe. I just feel like it would make life such a sad thing without the belief and hope that I will see my loved ones again.
Tina
December 12th, 2012
2:41 pm
Phil – Odd as it may seem I have never actually met anyone that came out and said they were atheist. I’m sure I’ve been around some at one time or another and just didn’t know. I guess it all goes with what crowd you hang around. Just like drinkers are drawn to drinkers etc.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
2:56 pm
“Neither were you Phil, and why would you call Mayhem’s daughter a liar.”
Show me where I called anyone a liar, ma’am. Project much?
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
2:57 pm
Tina
I’ve been around a few and most of them are nice people. I’ve only had one or two times where an atheist got angry about something. Usually they’re angry because deep down they know that there is more than just death.
Chaos
December 12th, 2012
3:03 pm
Mayhem: “She (THE DAUGHTER) said the leader told her (THE DAUGHTER) that if she (THE DAUGHTER) did not accept JC as her (THE DAUGHTER) saviour, she (THE DAUGHTER) would be going to hell.”
Phil: “Then again, you weren’t there to hear what was said.” ~ This is where you call Mayhem’s daughter a liar. If I could make it bold I would for emphasis.
Chaos: “Neither were you Phil, and why would you call Mayhem’s daughter a liar?”
/Check.
//Mate.
Kat
December 12th, 2012
3:06 pm
When you die, you die. Bummer, but enjoy it while you can!
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
3:11 pm
“This is where you call Mayhem’s daughter a liar. If I could make it bold I would for emphasis.
Nope, try again, ma’am. All I stated was that Mayhem wasn’t there and didn’t hear what was said. Not sure why reading comprehension is so hard for you.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
3:14 pm
“/Check.
//Mate.
Only in your mind, ma’am. Try again.
Chaos
December 12th, 2012
3:16 pm
“Nope, try again, ma’am. All I stated was that Mayhem wasn’t there and didn’t hear what was said. Not sure why reading comprehension is so hard for you.”
By stating that Mayhem wasn’t there to hear what was said you imply that Mayhem’s daughter, WHO WAS THERE, is lying to her mother. You call her a liar.
Your logic is flawed there Nancy.
Tina
December 12th, 2012
3:37 pm
Chaos, the leader may have simply stated in his serman that you have to believe and have him in your heart to get to heaven. I seriously doubt he pointed straight at her. And you do have to believe so he was only telling the truth.
missnadine
December 12th, 2012
3:46 pm
This is hilarious! How is this so different than scaring kids at halloween?
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
3:48 pm
“By stating that Mayhem wasn’t there to hear what was said you imply that Mayhem’s daughter, WHO WAS THERE, is lying to her mother. You call her a liar.”
WRONG!!!!!!!!!!! Keep trying, ma’am.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
3:49 pm
Tina, chaos is a troll plain and simple. She has no life and therefore comes onto blogs and tries to pick fights. People like her usually reside on Jay Bookman’s freak show blog.
missnadine
December 12th, 2012
3:53 pm
Tina – I am also an agnostic, and I don’t care who knows. I like Christmas, except for the ultra right-wing folks, who seem to savor bringing sales clerks to tears by yelling at them for daring to say Happy Holidays. What the hell is wrong with people who do that? Can’t you just be happy that someone said something nice? Why is it important to wage a war on Christmas, like Bill O’Reilly?It is those types of Christians that ruin it for more moderate folks, every single year.
Bikerchick
December 12th, 2012
4:08 pm
Me and my three teenage stepchildren watched the movie “Rare Exports” on Netflix just this past weekend. Movie was made in Finland and dealt with this very subject. Did not know that this was an actual legend in those parts! If you get a chance, check out the movie. It’s scary, but has a great child actor who is the hero of the movie and is braver than the adults! Of course, the movie is something I would never, ever allow young children to see as they would be terrified and nightmares would ensue, but for teens, the movie was a hit.
Roekest
December 12th, 2012
4:10 pm
Absolutely brilliant!
Nonbeliever
December 12th, 2012
4:29 pm
Absolutely we would do this! Children are too spoiled today and need some thing to make them think about their actions.
ATL Born and Raised
December 12th, 2012
4:30 pm
Phil from Athens calling anyone a troll is HIGH-LARIOUS!
Jingle Bells...Batman smells
December 12th, 2012
4:32 pm
Phil from Athens, I think you may be looking for the “Conservative Old Angry White Men’s Blog” instead of this blog, which is for mothers with children. Hello? Would it be a bother for you to take your anger there?
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
” I like Christmas, except for the ultra right-wing folks, who seem to savor bringing sales clerks to tears by yelling at them for daring to say Happy Holidays.”
I wish you crazy folks would stop making stuff up.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
5:34 pm
“Phil from Athens calling anyone a troll is HIGH-LARIOUS!”
Try again, ma’am.
Phil from Athens
December 12th, 2012
5:35 pm
“I think you may be looking for the “Conservative Old Angry White Men’s Blog” instead of this blog, which is for mothers with children. Hello? Would it be a bother for you to take your anger there?”
Awe, another petulant troll just happens to show up to throw out a drive by insult at me. How cute.
Bless yer heart, ma’am.
HSM
December 12th, 2012
10:15 pm
Thank you, Jingle Bells! Phil has lost been on my nerves!
Signed,
Mom with Children
HSM
December 12th, 2012
10:15 pm
I meant long. I hate autocorrect!
DB
December 13th, 2012
12:51 am
@Mayhem: Just out of polite curiosity, since you’ve put yourself out there as an atheist — i.e., one who does not believe in deities — would you mind explaining something I’ve always wondered about? If you are truly an athiest — why do you celebrate Christmas at all? I’ve never understood why people who were atheists would celebrate Christmas — it would be like me, as a Christian, celebrating Ramadan.
Miss Priss!
December 13th, 2012
6:43 am
Boy, Kiki … I think you’ll screw your kids up yourself just fine. Using Satan Clause for family law enforcement and reindeer poop under the tree. What bed wetters.
HB
December 13th, 2012
11:40 am
DB, I can’t answer for Mayhem specifically, but I think the reason so many non-Christians celebrate Christmas is that it really is a secular American holiday, largely driven by commercialism, in addition to being a religious holiday (to me, those are really two separate Christmases, and it’s not all that different from how Halloween has evolved). If other religions’ holidays took off commercially the way Christmas has with so many secular symbols, music, and tv shows/movies that don’t allude to the religious basis of the holiday at all, I think those might be adopted by nonbelievers too.
oneofeach4me
December 13th, 2012
3:37 pm
Oh heck no! Cause then.. I would end up co-sleeping with a 7 and 11 year old. No thanks. I will stick to the good old fashioned “I do have my receipts ya know!!”
PatBos
December 16th, 2012
1:58 pm
I told my children about Krampus as soon as they were old enough to understand. Children need to know the bad as well as they good. If their heads are filled with nothing but Santa Claus and fairy tales, they aren’t prepared for the real world. Children need to know the world isn’t all sugar plums and that actions bring consequences. Parents today make empty threats, e.g., “If you don’t behave, you’re not going to the party this weekend (or whatever),” then turn around and allow them to go to the party and the child learns he can do anything he pleases and there will be no consequences. If a child acts up, instread of punishing them, parents today take them to the doctor and pump them full of drugs. In times past, parents instilled fear in misbehaving children instead of mollycoddling or drugging them and guess what? There weren’t any school shootings back then!