Some Christmas traditions stand the test of time. Others… (cough Elf on the Shelf cough) start to feel like a full-time job. So if you’re ready to switch things up this year, allow us to introduce you to one of the wildest holiday traditions on Earth. 🌍
It’s called “Tió de Nadal”, and it comes from Catalonia, Spain. The name translates to “Christmas Log” — but let’s be honest, most people just call it the Pooping Log. 💩🪵
Here’s how it works:
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, families keep a regular wooden log in their home. It has a painted-on face, a little red hat 🎅, two tiny legs in the front, and a blanket covering its back end. (For… reasons.)
The log represents a magical character who will eventually poop out gifts on Christmas Day. 🎁😳
To make that happen, kids:🍽️ Pretend to feed it scraps of food🎶 Sing a special song about it pooping presents🥁 And then BEAT IT WITH STICKS
(Yes. This is encouraged.)
On Christmas morning, after all the singing and stick-beating, the blanket gets lifted… and surprise! The log has “pooped” candy, treats, and small gifts for everyone. 🍬🎁
If you’re wondering where this tradition came from, you’re not alone. Historians think it evolved from old Yule log traditions, mixed with piñata-style gift-giving. And believe it or not, it’s been around for hundreds of years, not something someone made up for TikTok last week.
Instead of burning the log for warmth, families take care of it leading up to Christmas… and in return, it pays them back the only way it can. 💩❤️
So if you’re tired of the same old traditions and want something your kids (and guests) will NEVER forget… maybe this is the year you let a log poop gifts into your living room.
🎄💩✨