Naughty or nice


Looks aren't everything, of course. Krampus carries a basket or a sack, a set of shackles, a whip and a bundle of branches for the purpose of swatting naughty children. Sometimes alongside Saint Nick and sometimes solo, Krampus visits the local homes and businesses, handing out lumps of coal and birch bundles-a sobering reminder of the dire results of being naughty.
What's that ominous basket for, you may ask? Why, it's for carrying the bad children back to the pits of hell for all manner of torture. Adults, you'd be right to be scared out of your wits, too-in those particularly egregious cases of naughtiness, parent-napping is included in his repertoire as well.
Krampus has recently spread his reach around the world. He's a frightening reminder to children everywhere that they'd better be on their best behavior, no matter the season-because you never know when he's going to show up on your doorstep. So which list are you on this year? Better check it twice…
