Austrians in the community we studied are quite aware of "heathen" elements being blended with Christian elements in the Saint Nicholas customs and in other traditional winter ceremonies. They believe Krampus derives from a pagan supernatural who was assimilated to the Christian devil. [9] Silvesterklaus, a Swiss New Year's Eve celebration featuring a musical procession of performers in grotesque costumes. Horror for the Holidays: Meet the Anti Santa". NPR. National Public Radio . Retrieved 22 December 2011.

In the aftermath of the 1932 election in Austria, the Krampus tradition was prohibited by the Dollfuss regime [11] under the clerical fascist Fatherland Front ( Vaterländische Front) and the Christian Social Party.

Goatman – a malevolent figure in urban folklore originating in Southern United States, like Maryland The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated it as having pre-Christian origins. [2] In traditional parades and in such events as the Krampuslauf (English: Krampus run), young men dressed as Krampus attempt to scare the audience with their antics. [3] Such events occur annually in most Alpine towns. [4] Krampus is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten. The Krampus figures persisted, and by the 17th century Krampus had been incorporated into Christian winter celebrations by pairing Krampus with St. Nicholas. [10] Modern history [ edit ]

Koliada– Ancient pre-Christian Slavic winter festival, an ancient pre-Christian Slavic festival where participants wear masks and costumes and run around. Run, Kris Kringle, Krampus is Coming!". Der Spiegel Online. 2 December 2008 . Retrieved 17 December 2011. Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure in the Central and Eastern Alpine folklore of Europe who, during the Advent season, scares children who have misbehaved. Assisting Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, the pair visit children on the night of 6 December, with Saint Nicholas rewarding the well-behaved children with gifts such as oranges, dried fruit, walnuts and chocolate, while the badly behaved ones only receive punishment from Krampus with birch rods. Krampus day itself, on the other hand, is on the 5th of December. [1]Haid, Oliver (2006). "Christmas markets in the Tyrolean Alps: Representing regional traditions in a newly created world of Christmas". In Picard, David; Robinson, Mike (eds.). Festivals, tourism and social change: remaking worlds. Buffalo, New York: Channel View Publications. pp.216–19. ISBN 978-1-84541-048-3. Throw Out Krampus". Time. 7 December 1953. p.41. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008 . Retrieved 18 December 2011. Siefker, Phyllis (1997). Santa Claus, last of the Wild Men: the origins and evolution of Saint Nicholas. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Co. pp.155–159. ISBN 978-0-7864-0246-5.