Please allow me to introduce you to Krampus. Never heard of this particular figure?.....me neither,well not until last year at least when I first encountered him in a folklore book.
Originating in Alpine folklore, Krampus night is celebrated on 5th December which is, of course, the day before St Nicholas. Believed by some to have his roots in a pre Christian tradition he fell from grace after the Austrian Civil War in 1934, but has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years.
Depicted as a dark hirsute man with horns and cloven feet he punishes the naughty children with a bundle of birch twits. That basket and chains he carries...why that's to ensnare and cart your misbehaving little horrors off to hell....does this description remind you of anyone...is it a coincidence that once you rearrange the letters of Santa it gives you Satan? Methinks not! Anyhow here's the chap himself in all his glory.
Arilx
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I might threaten Louis with a visit from him next time he misbehaves. Ear pulling might do the trick! x
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