Krampus is a horned, half-goat, half-demon figure from Central European folklore who punishes naughty children around Christmas. He is said to accompany Saint Nicholas on the night before St. Nicholas Day (December 5th). While St. Nicholas rewards good children, Krampus uses birch sticks to beat the bad ones and may also carry them away in a sack. His origins are believed to be in pre-Christian pagan traditions and his name comes from the German word for "claw".