The Stories of Santa's Scary Companions

Santa's worldwide image is of a jolly, round man with a white beard who happily travels during Christmas Eve to deliver gifts to children, stopping to enjoy milk and cookies when he can. What's not so well known about the legend of Saint Nicholas is the story of his travelling companions, which according to legend, include a devilish creature and a child kidnapper and murderer. The legends include Krumpus, a frightening, demonlike creature who travels with St. Nick to punish misbehaved children by beating them with a whip, and Père Fouettard, a butcher who kidnapped and killed three children.

Krumpus is a character established in eastern Europe, where it is believed that the creature, who has cloven hoofs and horns (giving him a Devil-like appearance) rides in Santa's sleigh and carries a whip to use on children who were too bad to get on Santa's "good" list. In Austria, Germany, and Hungary, Krumpus or Klaubauf is covered in red fur or skin, described in a Wikipedia article devoted to St. Nicholas's companions. (1) According to Saint Nicholas Center Krumpus is covered in chains "to show he is under the saint's control and would not be able to harm people". (2)

On her website titled "Christmas in Hungary" Linda Sarkadi describes Hungarian tradition having the Christmas celebration twice in December, with December 6th devoted to St. Nicholas, or Mikolás. (3) Polished boots or shoes are set outside or on a windowsill, and Mikolás puts candy and small gifts in the boots of the children who have been good. (4) In an About.com article titled "Holiday Traditions: Arizona Residents Maintain Holiday Traditions from Other Lands", contributer M. Elias reported that in Hungary, bad children received coal and potatoes in their boots instead of sweets and presents. (5)