I seek the devil in every season.

He's easy to find around Halloween and everywhere in the heat of summer. But the devil at Christmas is a rare thing.

Except in parts of Alpine Europe where Scratch is one of Santa's helpers … or maybe not. 

The Krampus is the best-known of these Yule demons, but he has other names  -- Knecht Ruprecht or the Perchten. He accompanies Santa as dark shadow, chained and beaten in some traditions, rampant and randy in others.

Depends on your point of view I suppose. I know which one I prefer.

There is wonderful Krampus iconography all over the internet, most of it on ancient postcards.

This one is a classic.

The Krampus also serves political agendas, such as in this card where he seems to represent the oppression of capital:

Me, I like Krampus best when he's ribald, brother to Pan:

Here's hoping there's a handsome Krampus (or she-Krampus) under your tree this year.