Last night was the eve of St. Martin’s. In certain regions of Germany there is a cousin of Krampus who greets children with enticing handfuls of nuts and sweets AND SWITCHES on that night.  He is called the “Nut Martin or Marty” or “Nußmärtel” There’s also a “Pelzmärtel” (“Furs-” or “Beatings-Martin” depending on which etymology you trust). Other less frightful customs involving decorative lantern parades and roast geese.

All of this posted on our Krampus Los Angeles Facebook “Interest” page just now.  We also have an interactive discussion group on FB too.