If you celebrate Christmas, there’s a good chance you’ve sat on Santa Claus’s lap at one time or another. You may have even met the Grinch, who is known to live here in Maricopa. 

That green fuzzy humanoid with an itty-bitty heart was who one family said they were looking for, but the hairy creature they found at Shaun Martin’s Maricopa Meadows home on Friday the 13th lacked a heart at all. 

Martin last night handed out candy canes at his 45595 West Keller Drive home in a 100% decked-out, homemade Krampus costume. It’s the same home that won InMaricopa’s Mysterious Mansion Mayhem Halloween house decorating contest last year. 

Krampus is a popular central European legend, usually depicted as a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes ill-behaved children at Christmastime. He is the devilish analogue of St. Nicholas, with his own 2015 major motion picture to boot. 

“He would put them in a sack and whip them with birch sticks, but you know, we’re not going to get that extreme tonight,” Martin said with a chuckle. 

Instead, Martin, as Krampus, handed out candy canes and took photos with the families. He spun a wheel that magically could tell whether kids had been nice or naughty. 

Alterra resident Samantha Peterson was one of many parents to bring their children to meet Krampus.  

“I’m trying to keep my kids open minded to all different types of cultures and ways people celebrate the holidays,” she said, “I think it teaches a whole different tradition that a lot of people don’t know about.”   

She said she was pleasantly surprised when her children were unfazed by Martin’s spooky appearance, especially 10-year-old Tristin, who has autism. 

“It was really big for him to be comfortable to come out, to actually get in the photo, and he actually took a candy cane,” she said. “That was a big deal.” 

Krampus will likely be outside to meet people for a few more nights this year, Martin said.  He was unsure at the time of publishing what dates but said they will likely align with times that Ride 347 does its Holiday Homes on Parade tours. His home is the third on the lst.

If you don’t get the chance to see him this year, don’t fret, because Martin plans to bring Krampus back next Krampusnacht with an upgraded look.