Krampusnacht

Speaking of “gloom of night…”

Yes, I made that two years ago. It’s fated to be a small pillow…someday. It's also a little happier sentiment than this one:

Yes, Virginia, greeting cards like that were very popular in Victorian times.  Germans weren't quite as sentimental as the Dickensian English, it would seem.

Krampus, in central European popular legend, a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. He is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas. Krampus is believed to have originated in Germany, and his name derives from the German word Krampen, which means “claw.”

Krampus was thought to have been part of pagan rituals for the winter solstice. According to legend, he is the son of Hel, the Norse god of the underworld. With the spread of Christianity, Krampus became associated with Christmas—despite efforts by the Catholic church to ban him. The creature and St. Nicholas are said to arrive on the evening of December 5 (Krampusnacht; “Krampus Night”). While St. Nicholas rewards nice children by leaving presents, Krampus beats those who are naughty with branches and sticks. In some cases, he is said to eat them or take them to hell. On December 6, St. Nicholas Day, children awaken to find their gifts or nurse their injuries.

Festivities involving Krampus include the Krampuslauf (“Krampus run”). In this activity, which often involves alcohol, people dressed as the creature parade through streets, scaring spectators and sometimes chasing them. Beginning in the late 20th century, amid efforts to preserve cultural heritage, Krampus runs became increasingly popular in Austria and Germany. During this time Krampus began to be celebrated internationally, and the monster’s growing appeal was evidenced by numerous horror films. Some claimed that the expanding popularity of Krampus was a reaction to the commercialization of Christmas.

Britannica (an on-line source I find more trustworthy than most.)

That last line gives me reason enough to support the revival (or spread) of Krampus. And even, at nearly 70, seek out a Krampuslauf.

Appropriately, Krampusnacht is the eve of St. Nicholas' Day.  Not everything happens on Christmas Eve, after all.  La Befana is an old woman (or witch, in some tellings; two conditions that often appear alike) who brings gifts to children in Italy on Epiphany Eve (Epiphany being the original date/reason (?) for Xmas gift giving.  I wouldn't lean too hard on that latter, but it is interesting how many different days for recieving gifts existed in Christian Europe.)  In some representations, she drops gifts down the chimney, a la St. Nick.  Or the “real” St. Nicholas, who threw the gold through the window. 🪟 

(I have a lot of this stuff I haven’t framed.) 

I admire the idea of Krampus.  American stories about Santa Claus leaving coal in stockings (or switches) always struck me as lame because of course that never happened!  But Krampus!  Now there's a punisher with some teeth!  Literally!  Santa may know who's been naughty or nice, but Krampus stands for accountability!

And we all like accountability.  At least when it applies to thee, and not to me!

I've stitched that one, too; even framed the result. But I gave it to my daughter years ago, so all I can offer you is the photo of the cover of the pattern. I like the sentiment, though.

BTW: five days in and we’re already talking about receiving gifts. 🎁  It wasn’t entirely Clement Moore and commercialization that taught us to think of December as all about getting. 😈