A man dressed as Saint Nicholas and 20 people in traditional Bavarian attire known as 'Buttenmandl' and 'Krampusse' at a parade in the southern German town of Berchtesgaden December 6, 2004. Buttenmandl and Krampusse consist of animal skins and masks attached to large cow-bells used to make loud and frightening noises, and are worn by young single men. They follow Saint Nicholas from house to house on December 5 and 6 each year to bring luck to the good and punish the idle.

via REUTERS/Alexandra Winkler