MY ELVES

I began my Krampus journey alone. I wasn’t aware of other Krampus enthusiasts or troupes in my own area. It began as a request from a friend who ran a local shop and was hosting a December art show for Bremerton’s First Friday Art Walk. She asked if I would dress up and appear as Krampus for her show. It sounded like fun, so I just tossed together my first costume.

Unfortunately, when Covid-19 hit, the art show was cancelled, but I still had my costume. I didn’t want it to go to waste, so I figured I could just stroll around downtown Bremerton and take some photos for future events. Since I was alone, as Krampus, I was a bit nervous about public reception. I was concerned that people wouldn’t know the history of Krampus, and I would have some personal safety issues if I were strolling by myself. I figured I would need some support in helping me to pull it off.

I have an excellent group of friends who tolerate my obsessions with community and costumes. While they didn’t want to dress up as Krampus, they were happy to support me in another other way I dreamed up. I went on Amazon and purchased some black, druid costumes. I bought some LED, flame lanterns that they could carry, and dressed them up as my elves. I even integrated black, medical face masks (for covid-prevention), which ended up completing the look mysteriously well.

“My elves” serve some great purposes. For one, they give me a lot of confidence, since it’s fun to have my friends participating with me. They’re my security, watching my back and keeping me safe. My elves help manage photos and control crowds. Since my vision is restricted in my mask, they’re my eyes, and tap me on the shoulder, or make sure I don’t gouge someone with my horns. They’re my ears, relaying things children are trying to say to me, but I can’t hear. Being surrounded by these costumed elves also adds to the theatrics of the costume. It’s just cool seeing Krampus walking down the street, surrounded by an ominous group of costumed figures carrying lanterns.