Krampus Is Coming to Town!

Nothing says holiday cheer like a drunk guy in a goat mask scaring your children! At least, that's what some Europeans like to do this time of year. Supposedly an incubus who pals around with Santa, Krampus likes to frighten children and rattle rusty chains and bells. Imagine that while Santa is leaving presents under the tree, Krampus is raiding the liquor cabinet.

This sounds a bit like Halloween and Christmas all at once (fun!). People dress up like a devil/goat creature, and parents let them scare the children. Then they invite the Krampus inside, and everyone drinks. Excellent--no presents involved! In some cases, there's even a little light beating administered, which all involved seem to enjoy. Here's one guy's account of witnessing Krampus in Austria.

Those wacky Europeans. They have all the fun while us Yanks continue to suffer from a legacy of Puritan guilt! But maybe not for much longer. Krampus is making its way to the U.S.! Naturally, San Francisco is leading the way in a return to more gleeful pagan celebrations.