Dread Central’s Holiday Gift Guide: The Krampus Edition!
John Squires
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If there’s any dominant figure of this year’s holiday season it’s unquestionably Krampus, the demonic Anti-Claus of Alpine folklore who is becoming more popular with each passing day. Thanks in no small part to Michael Dougherty’s Krampus (review), the big K is truly hotter than ever.
Given the beast’s popularity, products tied to the film and spawned from the legend are guaranteed to be hot holiday gifts this year, and if you’re looking for the coolest Krampus merch out there, we’ve done all the legwork for you. Because we love you as much as Krampus loves eating kids.
And he REALLY loves eating kids.
Read on for the ultimate Krampus-themed holiday gift guide!
KRAMPUS (MOVIE) T-SHIRT COLLECTION – FRIGHT RAGS
Whenever awesome new horror movies come along, you can always count on the folks over at Fright Rags to help us horror fans celebrate them in style. Now in stock and ready to ship in time for Christmas is an entire clothing collection based on Dougherty’s awesome film, including two different t-shirts and even an ugly Christmas sweater. The tees are $27, while the sweater is $42.
KRAMPUS (MOVIE) ORNAMENTS – MIDDLE OF BEYOND
Middle of Beyond has become known for its high quality horror sweaters, though the company’s blown glass ornaments are just as cool. These three brand new offerings pay tribute to Dougherty’s film, and they’re each available for $19.99 apiece – the evil gingerbread man is double-sided, by the way. Be sure to browse the company’s entire Krampus collection, which includes sweaters.
KRAMPUS (MOVIE) SOUNDTRACK – WAXWORK RECORDS
One aspect of Krampus that shouldn’t be overlooked is the soundtrack, which includes classic Christmas songs as well as an incredible score from composer Douglas Pipes that puts delightfully sinister twists on holiday favorites. Waxwork Records just released the soundtrack on vinyl, and you can choose from the “Candy Cane Swirl” edition ($35) or the “Dark Elves” edition ($40).
THE ART OF KRAMPUS MOVIE TIE-IN BOOK – INSIGHT EDITIONS
In conjunction with the movie, hardcover tie-in book The Art of Krampus was also released just in time for Christmas, and it takes a look at how the terrifying character inspired Michael Dougherty to create a movie that captures the dark side of the holidays. The 160-page coffee table book, selling for $34.63, features concept art and all sorts of insight from the cast and crew.
KRAMPUS: SHADOW OF SAINT NICHOLAS GRAPHIC NOVEL – LEGENDARY COMICS
If you loved the movie, you’ll definitely want to pick up a copy of Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas, the brand new graphic novel that expands upon the world and mythology presented in the film. Selling for a mere $9, the 128-page comic features three original Christmas horror stories, centered on a drunken mall Santa, a tortured police officer, and a wealthy town Scrooge.
THE KRAMPUS (MOVIE) BELL – WETA WORKSHOP
One of the highlights of Krampus is the old school-style practical effects, and we have New Zealand company Weta to thank for them. They also designed the bell that is prominently featured in the movie, which essentially serves as the title character’s calling card, and you can now purchase one from their shop for just $11.99. The replica prop is made from resin and is fully functional.
CREEPY KRAMPUS STICKER BOOK – LAST GASP
Of course, long before Michael Dougherty brought Krampus to the big screen for the very first time, we had vintage postcard images of the Christmas creature to look at. The Creepy Krampus Sticker Book from Last Gasp collects together 72 of those pre-World World I images, turning them into reusable stickers. Priced at $9.95, this makes for a great stocking stuffer.
KRAMPUS LIVING DEAD DOLLS – MEZCO
Back in 2013, Mezco beat Michael Dougherty to the punch by adding Krampus to its Living Dead Dolls line, and three different versions (seen above) were originally released as exclusives to three different countries: Germany, Australia, and the UK. More recently, limited variants with red and blue fur were also released. Check eBay if you’re interested in picking these up.
KRAMPUS BEER – SOUTHERN TIER BREWING COMPANY
Making it through the holiday season is an accomplishment that entitles you to get blackout drunk on Christmas night, so alcohol always makes for a wonderful gift. The beer lover in your life will enjoy sucking down a bottle of Southern Tier’s Krampus Helles Lager, a 9% ABV imperial brew that’s guaranteed to make all that stress disappear. Check local retailers for this seasonal treat.
KRAMPUS: THE CHRISTMAS DEVIL AND KRAMPUS: THE RECKONING ON DVD
Though neither of them comes recommended by us, it wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t mention that there are currently two other Krampus horror movies out there. Krampus: The Christmas Devil, released in 2013, is the very first horror movie centered on the monster, and this year’s Krampus: The Reckoning came out shortly before Dougherty’s film. So yeah. There’s that.
