Handmade Scandinavian Gnome — Krampus

The frozen trees stood still. In the silence of the frost-bound, ice-gripped air there was not a sound, except... the heavy rhythmic clinking of a chain and someone's footsteps echoing it. The forest dwellers hid in wait to see the incomprehensible monster. And the "monster" walked on, chuckling mischievously to himself. For he was none other than the most cheerful and spirited forest gnome — the ringleader of all merriments and a mischievous prankster.

The gnome had long pondered how to surprise his fellow gnomes at the winter festivities. And he thought of it: he would make himself a Krampus costume. Who is that, you ask? Krampus is one of the oldest folkloric figures of the Alpine region. His name comes from the Old German "Krampen", meaning "claw". He is said to frighten naughty children and carry them off — for which he has everything he needs: thick black fur, horns, a birch switch, a cage and rattling chains. This could not fail to impress the gnome, and so without much deliberation he sewed himself a smart red costume. He attached fearsome horns and took a switch of branches. On his back — a wicker basket decorated with an icy fir branch. To appear still more terrifying, the gnome wrapped himself in a rattling chain hung with rusty jingling bells. And on his hands he made little hooves: uncomfortable, but striking. And a tail. The gnome had always dreamed of a long tail behind him.

Although tradition holds that Krampus acts in opposition to the kindly Santa Claus, the gnome decided to change that. So he filled his fearsome basket with gifts for the forest dwellers. And when the gnome has enjoyed the dreadful impression he has produced to the full, he will hand a little gift to the delighted forest dweller with a good-natured laugh.

He leaves on the last day of the holiday season — quietly, before anyone is properly awake. The basket is always empty by then. No one speaks of this aloud. What also goes unspoken: each year he arrives having clearly given thought to what each gnome actually needs — not what they said aloud, but what they meant. He would be offended if this were noticed. He has a reputation to maintain.