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For those thinking that Christmas is the happiest purest time of the year there is a new
celebration that truly inspires children to be well behaved throughout the year and it originated
from Austria as they celebrate Krampus Santa clauses evil twin every year with a big parade
celebration. The origin of Santa clause in tradition originating from Saint Nicolas who was
admired for his piety and kindness and now as an international figure that people adopted as the
man in the red suit who bares gifts and as the man who rewards the children who behave good
throughout the year and a reminder for families all around the world of Jesuss birthday by
bringing together families once a year to value this holly moment.

Christmas Decorations. Digital image. Playbuzz. N.p., 8 Dec. 2014. Web

The Western culture belief system is of the man in the red suit he brings a representation
of religion, hope, happiness, and purity to many homes. Santa will remain a figure in our
Advent and Christmas discourse, but as an explicit rather than disguised symbol of generosity.
He will represent the care and compassion of family and friends, neighbors and strangers Kyle,
Cup. Dec 2012. Even though Santa clauses celebration has evolved from the traditional aspects
the symbolism of good that this figure represents does not make much of a difference in any part
of the world and this is what many families look forward to throughout the year.
While households in the United States celebrate families get together and prepare a
dinner for this special holiday an children await for the gifts they anticipated for all year long.
This is a time where families are thankful and forget the madness or issues that happened
throughout the year. Even though it is a time where many struggle this is truly a precious
representation and although the western tradition uses the idea of good behavior for gifts on
children and acknowledge the consequences for bad behavior they do not often focus on the
negative aspects as much by keeping this celebration and Santa clause as a pure representation of
family bonding.
Every year on Dec, 5th the streets of Austria are filled with mythical creature costumes of
Krampus who chases after the children and the adults. The origin of Krampus came from St.
Nicholass partner who tags along but rather than leaving candy and gifts he punishes those who
have misbehaved throughout the year. Legend has it that throughout the Christmas season,
misbehaved kids are beaten with birch branches or can disappear, stuffed into Krampus' sack and
hauled off to his lair to be tortured or eaten.(Jennifer Bullock). Krampus represents anything but
good, he is the representation of evil on Christmas eve many disagree on the celebration but this
holiday has become a part of the Austria tradition for many years. Most importantly it is a

reminder that there is still evil in the world that we need to acknowledge and it gives children a
more realistic approach to life. Earning their gifts with good actions and remembering that evil
deeds and bad intentions have consequences. Often in the western culture Santa clause is a
representation of gifts and happiness, most children expect gifts every year without a reminder of
the importance of behaving and being good sons and daughters.
Even as there are some similarities between both countries there is also differences in
Austria many celebrate Krampus Santa Clauses evil twin whom punishes those children who
miss behave throughout the year and prepare a great parade in celebration on December 5th.
While many in the United States prepare their homes with lights and Christmas dcor the Austria
community prepares their Krampus costume to celebrate right before Christmas. The parade has
not always been a traditional aspect but it has evolved throughout the years and has become
something that everyone acknowledges just as much as Christmas in the Austria culture. The
United States seems to acknowledge Krampus in a different way but with the same symbolism
yet does not yet adopt the traditional ways of celebration.

Digital image. Santa Clause. 13, Dec 2013. Web.

Many oppose the idea that celebrating Krampus is promoting violence For some, the
annual festival of child-hunting Krampus is funbut concerns that refugees in the Alpine towns
that celebrate Krampus could find the tradition frightful has prompted some towns to consider
taming the horror (Jennifer Bullock). It is important to realize that these traditions have more
meaning behind them, Material attainment for children does not create strong ethics and good
discipline. Many question the lies that lie behind Christmas itself psychologically the idea behind
Santa clause creates negative effects on the relationship between parents and their children with
trust issues as they grow up idolizing Santa clause and eventually finding out their parents
created this fantasy and there is actually no real Santa clause. Celebrating evil Krampus is not
to promote violence but to remind us that violence and evil is part of our subconscious thinking.
Traditions such as Christmas shape a childs childhood memories but also influence their future
in many ways. Krampus reminds children to be disciplined and good throughout the year and on

Christmas day they get to live their childhood by earning the great gifts around the Christmas
tree. Celebrating Krampus does not take away from a good childhood but ads on good ethics and
motivation to be do well.
Many opinions validate the United States traditional Christmas celebration is doing well
by ignoring the celebration of an evil representation as oppose to the Austria tradition of
celebrating Krampus because they do not see the purpose in ruining a childs most precious
holiday moments. Why would anyone scare children during such a holy time of the year? Truth
is they are right scaring your children is not exciting and something very rare to promote.
Enjoying a holiday rather than focusing on the negative symbols is not something any family
wants to do. There is probably enough evil around the year for an individual and this is a
precious moment not using Krampus as an example every year does not take away from god
parenting. But beneath all the symbolism and tradition that has been attached to the modern
American Santa Claus, he, like so many other "Father Christmas" characters before him can
hearken back to a simple Christian bishop who loved God and loved people Craug, bun buseck.
But psychologically children learn from their parents and it does not take away from the
holiday itself to remind them that talking back, fighting, or doing bad in school will still be
rewarded regardless because it is such a jolly time of the year. Individuals have neglected to
consider that being a good example for their children is essential and with so much catastrophe in
the world it is hard to sugar coat evil around us because it is a part of our world. It is important to
acknowledge that Krampus is not necessarily needed to teach kids bad actions are not acceptable,
But it is a reminder as community. The Austria celebration brings people together as a
community and on Christmas day everyone spends their days with their loved ones.

As oppose to Krampus making a negative impact on Santa clause this celebration actually
gives Santa clause a good name. The origin of Krampus is as a result of Santa clauses image
being so pure he could not punish the naughty children himself. The Krampus is a holiday
fixture that's popular in the Germanic countries. Created to really enforce the whole "better
watch out" Christmas ideology, the Krampus is the pure evil that must exist to balance out St.
Nick's pure goodness (warner

, Meredith) Celebrating Krampus creates a balance of good and

evil and overall double celebration which is one of the aspects many Austrians enjoy. Celebrating
Krampus is not harmful it makes sense. Every year the United States culture celebrates
Halloween a day full of witches and haunted houses but it truly makes no sense as to what good
this holiday influences. Accepting the Krampus celebration should not be as big of an issue
considering many other international celebrations without much meaning are never being
questioned.
My conclusion is that a Traditional celebration of Krampus and St. Nicolas in Austria is
better than the United States celebration of Christmas because it acknowledges a more
meaningful realistic approach in a time where everyone leaves their priorities and material life to
spend time with their loved ones also taking in consideration its not great to celebrate a
representation of evil but knowing the meaning behind the celebration. My point of view is not
influenced by thinking Krampus is better than Santa clause but rather believing that celebrating
both Krampus and Santa Clause is something that is beneficial. Not only do individuals get
together as a community to celebrate with parades and community parties but without noticing
parents are instilling a balance between good and bad actions in their children. The origin of
Christmas is not centered on the principles established today, everyone made it their own with
different traditions and evolved the holiday. Christmas is a time to simply enjoy the presence of

loved ones and forget ones troubles at least for that day. As a reminder of what a great blessing it
is to work throughout the year and enjoy the much earned family time the celebrations in Austria
bring everyone together as a whole and Krampus becomes great influence in children to behave
and ultimately another excuse for individuals to celebrate and adapt to new traditional ways
and ultimately another excuse for individuals to celebrate and adapt to new traditional ways.

Sources:

Cellini Miss. 8 Legendary Monsters of Christmas. December 16, 2015. Web

Floor Lisle. Santas Horned Helper: The Fearsome Legend of Krampus, Christmas
Punisher.
December 3, 2012. Web

Kyle David. The Santa Claus Lie Debate: Answering Objections. December, 09 2013.
Web.