Krampus is Coming

By Mark Gatchell

'Tis the season to be naughty or nice. Of course, we all strive to be nice all year round! With December here, so many of us are excited about our cultural and family traditions! It is what makes December so special for so many of us. This December, Katie and I have teamed up to bring you a ton of fun and excitement and just possibly a new tradition for Toscana.

Of course, we all know the story of St. Nicholas or better known as Santa Claus, but do you know the story of Krampus? While St. Nicholas is known to bring gifts to the well-behaved, his counterpart, Krampus, is not-quite-so-friendly. On the evening of Krampusnacht, December 5, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas in visiting homes and businesses. While St. Nicholas doles out gifts for the good, Krampus supplies the naughty with coal, even stealing away particularly-unpleasant individuals in his burlap sack, whom he takes back to his lair in the South Pole. Krampus's name is derived from the German word krampen, which means "claw. " Krampus is easily recognized with his large, goat-like appearance (dark fur, cloven hooves, and sharp horns), and long, pointed tongue. He is often depicted carrying a ceremonial golden staff and adorned in chains and bells.

We have set up the Krampus defense kit for our Toscana residents to build over time by completing some fun holiday tasks! Everything needed to build your defense kit is locked securely in our holiday safe. Complete your kit and be entered in to a holiday drawing for a wonderful gift card. What is in your Krampus defense kit? Tactical Jingle Bells (shake vigorously as needed to deter Krampus), Safety Snippers (in case of capture, use to cut through Krampus Burlap sack), Escape Socks with Heavy Duty Grip (Aid in quick Get-Away), and a small burlap sack to store your items and defense manual in-case you need to make a last minute's escape in the middle of the night!

How do you get all the pieces of your defense kit? It's really quite simple but most definitely challenging! Find the Krampus Bell that will be hidden in Toscana by following the clues provided. When found, send a picture of the bell to Mark, but be sure not to touch; that annoys Krampus and puts you on his naughty list. Next, you will need to solve a riddle that will be sent out in several communications! Find the picture of Krampus in five different Toscana publications and let us know which communications he was in! And finally, "Krampus" three neighbors (see how on the next page)!

Please watch your inbox for more details on all our December holiday adventures!

Be sure to send all your pictures, riddle solutions, communications guess, and pictures of you Krampusing your neighbors should go to mgatchell@toscanaliving.net!