Recently we sent out an email blast to our customers wishing them Happy Holidays. We heard back from one recipient of the email telling us if we don't have the balls to say the word Christmas, stop emailing him.

Well, excuse us! We have no problem saying Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa as well as Happy New Year or Merry Krampus to all of you who choose to celebrate any of these holidays. We just thought it would be easier to say Happy Holidays so we don't miss anybody.

No matter what religion you practice or holidays you celebrate, you have probably heard of all of these days except for one. If you are not from Central Europe, maybe you have never heard the greeting Merry Krampus.

To advance the cause of knowledge, cultural understanding, religious tolerance and peace on Earth, Lethal Threat is happy to provide you all the information you need to know about Krampus but may have been afraid to ask. Read on for the straight, simple and fascinating facts about this little-known holiday.

We all have heard kids being told to be good because Santa is keeping a list of who has been naughty or nice. So what happens to the kids who have been naughty?

For American kids, nothing really happens if they have been naughty. Maybe one less toy will appear under the tree.

But kids in countries such as Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Hungary as well as regions like Bavaria and Northern Italy really have something to worry about if they have been bad.

In European folklore, Krampus is a horned figure described as half-goat and half-demon. During Christmas season, this menacing monster punishes children who have misbehaved. Instead of getting the cool gifts and the perfect presents they have asked for, these brats get stuck with lumps of coal and other junk for the holiday. Talk about karma!

Krampus is the opposite of Saint Nicholas, aka Santa. On the evening of December 5th, known in those regions as Krampus Night or Krampusnacht, the wicked, hairy devil appears on the streets looking for naughty children to punish. The sight of the Krampus is truly scary.

Krampus costumes consist of intricate hand-carved wooden masks. A handful of skilled artisans makes them, taking months in the process.

Traditional costumes are made from goat or sheep skins. Animal horns are used to give the wearer the look of a true demon who has come to life.

In 1923, the celebration of the feast was banned in Austria for being too evil. Toward the end of the 20th century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred. It continues today.

It has been advised to stay off the streets on Krampus night in small villages. The costumed characters, usually young guys who get totally wasted before putting on their costumes, take the shenanigans to dangerous levels.

They have been known to whip bystanders with chains and sticks, causing real havoc. In the bigger cities, such as Innsbruck, the Krampus demons just walk through the city center and look scary.

At its most benign and nonviolent, Krampus is another holiday where you can look evil. Think of it as Halloween without the candy and other good stuff. But it gives all those legions of Halloween lovers out there something else to look forward to.

For me, this is on my bucket list to attend next year. How about you? Do you have the balls too?

Do not be late for the Holidays!