In the Advent, mostly the evening before Saint Nikolaus Day or Santa Claus Day you see the "Buttenmandl" or "Krampusse" running through Berchtesgaden, accompanied by Saint Nikolaus. Mostly they are young unmarried guys covered from head to toe in straw (Buttenmandl) or fur(Krampusse), with heavy cow bells on the back, furmasks over their faces and switched in their hands. They usually number twelve and they are headed by Saint Nikolaus. Having been bound in straw in a farmer's barn in the afternoon, the "Buttenmandl" get together at a certain place, say the Lords's Prayer and leave. Headed by Saint Nikolaus with measured steps the "Buttenmandl" run and jump around with the bells rattling loudly.  Saint Nikolaus praises or criticizes the children and distributes small gifts, the children watch the "Buttenmandl" with suspicion and fear.