In Western part of the World the first two weeks of December are judgment weeks for children. Young men dress and act like Krampus, a magical and mythical creature. It is believed that Krampus used to threaten and frighten the bad children in the first two weeks of December and especially on the 5th of December while St. Nicholas gave gifts to the good ones. This practice is still carried out by young men in Austria and Hungry. It is also prevalent in many parts of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and northern Italy. Young men wear a hand stitched costume consisting of larve (wooden mask) and made of sheep’s skin. They room in the streets and frighten the naughty children with rusty chains and bells. This act is actually done to straighten the naught ones. Many naughty children start behaving properly just to get their Christmas gifts and to avoid the Krampus.
Very nice post!