Tio de Nadal

Some homes hang stockings from the mantelpiece. Families in Catalonia, Spain, celebrate the run-up to Christmas by placing a Tió de Nadal in front of the fireplace. Although Tió de Nadal translates most wholesomely as “Christmas log,” it is better known as Caga Tió, which we’ll refer to as “Poop Log” to avoid offending anyone’s delicate sensibilities. Feel free to fill in the appropriate four-letter word as needed.

Originally a simple, rough-hewn piece of wood, the tió’s appearance has been upgraded in recent years. Modern iterations stand on two or even four stick legs, have a smiling face painted on the upper end, and often sport a red hat.

Beginning on December 8th, to coincide with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, children must “feed” the tió bits of fruits, nuts, and water, draping it in a blanket to keep it warm, in the hope that their care will awaken its spirit of generosity so it will poop out many gifts on Christmas Day.

The children’s kindness ends there. They must go into another room to pray for the poop log to deliver lots of goodies while the adults surreptitiously place gifts under the blanket. (We’re assuming the log doesn’t have magical powers.) Then the children reenter and beat on the log with sticks to make it defecate while they sing various versions of the Caga Tió song, loosely translated below.

After each verse, a child reaches under the blanket and takes a gift. After opening it, the song begins again. The tió gives candies, nuts, and dried fruits; larger items are believed to be delivered by the Three Wise Men. (Duh!)

The log drops a herring, head of garlic, or onion to indicate there is no more poop to be had. (That part may be magic. We’re not sure of the logistics involved.) At that point, the beatings cease, and the tió is thrown into the fire and burned.

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