Krampus the Xmas demon

In Austria and across the German-speaking Alpine region, Krampus, a demonic character, is a crucial part of the holiday season.  Krampus reigns on Dec 5 the night before ST. Nicholas’ Day. In the real world, people attend Krampus balls, or young men might don carved wooden masks, cowbells, chains, and elaborate costumes to run through town in a Krampus run, frightening and sometimes beating bystanders.  Krampus spends the night visiting each house. He leaves bundles of sticks for bad children or hits them with sticks. He might toss them into a sack and then throw it in a stream, or take them to hell.