Krampus is a horned, "half-goat, half-demon" man, who, during the Yule/Christams season, punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts.
On the evening of 5 December, Krampus Night (Krampusnacht), the wicked hairy devil appears on the streets. Sometimes accompanying St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and businesses. Saint Nicholas concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is responsible for the bad. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus supplies coal and the Ruten bundles. He also captures particularly naughty children in his sack and carries them away to his lair.
