In a gingerbread man scary story, what makes him scary could be his desperation. He is constantly running for his life, and this sense of panic and fear is quite eerie. For example, when he is being chased by various predators like the fox or the old couple, his frantic running and the idea that he might be caught at any moment creates a sense of dread.
The muffin man is scary because of the rumors surrounding him. There are stories about people disappearing after going into his bakery, and the strange noises that come from it at night. Also, the fact that he seems so isolated and his muffins have an almost hypnotic allure that might be hiding something more sinister.
Maybe it's his appearance. If he has a tattered poncho and a haggard face, that would be quite spooky.
His appearance. He is tall, thin and faceless. It's just an eerie sight that makes people's skin crawl.
I don't really know specific 'Jangly Man' scary stories off the top of my head. But perhaps it could be a creepy figure that lurks in the shadows. Maybe it makes a jangling noise as it moves, like chains or old keys. It could be that it haunts an old abandoned house, and those who enter at night hear the jangling and see a tall, shadowy figure approaching.
His appearance. With chains jangling and tattered clothes, he looks like a nightmare come to life.
The sound he makes. The jangling noise is really spooky. It gives the sense that he's always near but you can't see him right away.
There are several factors. Firstly, his physical description - tall and lanky with an unclear face - is very off - putting. Secondly, his behavior of preying on the alone and vulnerable at night is quite terrifying. And finally, the fact that he haunts desolate places adds to the overall sense of dread. People are already scared of such lonely and spooky locations, and his presence there just multiplies that fear.
The repetition and the mirror aspect make it scary. Just saying a name five times in front of a mirror is a simple yet spooky action that can lead to a terrifying encounter.
Maybe it's the fact that a lollipop man, who is usually associated with safety and helping kids cross the road, becomes something menacing. It's a subversion of the normal, friendly image we have of them.