BTW, the tradition stretches back before the 1800s.

Many people latch onto the “Evil Santa” moniker: It is something that is easy to grasp and a quick characterization. However, it is not exactly correct. For example, Krampus does not bother (attack, kidnap, eat, etc.) children that have been good. Only those that have been naughty. Krampus often travels with St. Nick and Perchta, and most likely Krampus is either the origin of, or gets it’s origin from the same source as the Christmas “threat” in the song Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The lines read “He’s making a list, And checking it twice; He’s gonna find out whose naughty or nice …. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, So be good for goodness sake”

The idea is that Krampus works in conjunction with St. Nick. St. Nick gives candy to all the good boys and girls. In order to keep things on the up and up, I come through the night before St. Nick comes and take away all the bad children, so that only the good children are left, and St. Nick then gives the candy and presents to everyone (who remains). In fact, in most Krampuslaufs someone will be dressed up as St. Nick, and there will be at least 1 Perchta. They are the “stars” of the parade, and the Krampus come ahead of them (and we all know that the Krampus is really the star of the parades).

You should also check out Brom’s Krampus book. It mixes and matches a number of slightly different Krampus legends, so it is not quite historically accurate (something he discusses in the afterward), but it weaves them into a modern tale that is a great read. The audiobook is even better thanks to the wonderful voice acting and narration, and is highly recommended.

Otherwise thanks for the article and the comprehensive look at the upcoming Krampus films and the brief history of the Christmas Horror sub-genre! I certainly appreciate the attention.