Advent may have begun on December 3, but the season really picks up steam on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas Day, otherwise known as Krampusnacht. Krampusnacht jumpstarts a shadow season of creepy Christmas traditions. Christmas isn’t just about buying things, you know; it’s about scaring the bejeezus out of your kids.

What exactly is Krampus? Why, he’s St. Nicholas’ dark helper. Horned, hairy and horrifyingly long-tongued, Krampus emerges from his Alpine domain to dole out corporal punishment to the young and the wicked. For milder offenses, there is the sting of the switch; but for the especially ill-behaved, there are chains, a short ride in a wicker basket, and then drowning in a stream or immolation by hellfire. When a naughty child hears the dull clatter of approaching cow-bells, he knows it’s all over. He only wishes his stocking were full of coal.

Happy holidays, everyone! Get ready for Black Pete, the Yule Lads, and the Gävle goat.

Krampus cards were once widely circulated, not only on Christmas, but also on Valentine’s Day. I can think of no better way to catch a sweetheart.

All hail Krampus!

“A Krampus Carol” (incorporating a stop motion Krampus!):

Family-friendly segment on the Krampus Renaissance in Bavaria, produced by The New York Times:

A real, old-fashioned Krampuslauf:

Pretty good Krampus carol (full text when you click on “show more”):

Here comes Krampus:

Nicholas and Krampus play “good cop/bad cop” with Tobias:

Small child cowers behind door at 1:25:

Academy Award-winner Christoph Waltz explains Krampus to Jimmy Fallon:

The commercialization of Krampus: