You better watch out, you better not cry-- or Krampus will beat the hell out of you!

[ST0RMY]

On the eve of the eve of the holiest of Holidays on the Christian calendar, most of us are looking forward to getting drunk off spiked eggnog, watching Home Alone for the billionth time, and receiving heartfelt presents so we can return them and buy more liquor to feed our alcoholism (diagnosed or otherwise).

During this wonderful holiday season we often think of religious and mythological figures like Santa Claus, the Grinch, and Frosty the red-nosed elf. Unfortunately, most of the Western World is coddled and focused on rewarding good deeds instead of punishing the wicked with brutal beatings and an unending cycle of torture. On the bright side, the Germans always seem to have a penchant for creating terrifying figures for children to dread even in the happiest of days.

Santa, step aside-- let the Krampus handle the troublemakers!

KRAMPUS

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Krampus, here's the short version: While our modern American Santa Claus is pretty much a solo act with a supporting cast of elves and reindeer, the European version of St. Nicholas is far more prone to having team-ups with the various demons that he dethroned and chained into his service. The most famous of these is the Krampus, a horned monster with one foot and one hoof who acts as the bad cop of Santa's operation, scaring children into being on their best behavior with the threats of being whipped with birch rods or, in extreme cases, being stuffed in a wicker basket and dragged off to hell. Though largely ignored on this side of the Atlantic over the past hundred years or so, he's been enjoying a resurgence of popularity lately -- probably because, as Santa scholar Benito Cereno put it, he's the Batman of Christmas.

Source: http://www.cracked.com/blog/undeniable-proof-that-european-christmas-terrifying/ (Mature content)


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkYb3uS8Jbw[/ame]

Just The Facts
1. The Krampus is a mythical creature that accompanies St. Nicholas on Christmas Eve to punish all the bad girls and boys.

2.Rather than give the little miscreants a lump of coal, the Krampus prefers to beat his victims with sticks and then shove them into a basket to be dragged off to hell.

3.Sarah Jessica Parker may or may not be a Krampus.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p1JYvV178E[/ame]

It's Christmas morning in Germany. You wake up in your little bed, shake the sleep from your eyes and creep downstairs so as not to wake your Mutter und Vater. You see that all of those schnitzels you left for St. Nick are gone and there's a big pile of presents under the tree and the stockings all along the fireplace mantle are filled with candy and toys with small parts you fully intend to try to swallow later. But as you shuffle in your footy jam-jams to the presents, you feel a series of blows to the back of your head and knees. You crumple to the ground, sobbing and soiling yourself from fear. Then a hideous horned creature glares at you through matted locks and snarls. You know that God has sent this beast to punish you for your sins and you prepare to be thrown into his basket to be dragged off to the Pit to burn for dipping little Leonie's pigtails in ink.

Source: http://www.cracked.com/funny-3516-krampus/ (Mature content)
Source: http://www.cracked.com/article_18941_5-creepy-christmas-traditions-from-around-world_p2.html (Mature content)



The Krampus has seen a resurgence in recent years all over the world. More Germans are now sending Krampus cards and the Krampus has even been featured in quality shows like the Venture Bros (Christmas Special) and American Dad.



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7qLbJUPC10[/ame]



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeO4IZiq94g[/ame]


Check out more at Cracked: https://www.google.com/#q=cracked+krampus&safe=off

More links:
http://www.krampus.com/krampus-gallery.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus



Some more Krampus pics:

Merry Christmas und Gruss Vom Krampus!!!​

 

[mdgrim]

Oh you mean this jerkface?
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC6Sz7VDrmo[/ame]
He likes to steal all your stuff.

 

[Crusty Bunk Sock]

Hmmmm. Looks like a new story to pass along to the youngins.

 

[Drew]

Well, that's nice. He seems like such a swell guy!

 

[ModusPwnens]

ahahaha I <3 Krampus

 

[TheyCallMeC]

i vote we make krampus the official opx mascot