Santa's creepy chum gives Austrians a scary thrill Half-goat, half-demon, the Krampus punishes children who have misbehaved during the Christmas season, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. In Austria, troupes of volunteers dress in "Krampus" costumes with red glowing eyes and horns to frighten naughty children and "evil spirits", marauding through towns and villages over the Christmas period in "Krampuslauf" parades. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.