Madame Bofvén leads a notorious gang of thieves known locally as the Klappsnapparna (the Christmas Thieves), because Christmas is their peak season and Christmas presents are their prey. The gang is now busy with their preparations – cow hooves must be polished, picklocks gathered, and the thieves' lair decorated with counterfeit banknotes. Among the thieves are Bongo, Skuggan, Trollet, and of course Kurre. Kurre is the clumsiest pickpocket in town and grew up in the gang, which has become his family.