The magic behind The Pooping Log (aka, Tió de Nadal, Cagatió, or Caga Tió)
It feels like just yesterday that I truly understood the magic of the Tió de Nadal. It was Christmas Eve, and my youngest cousin, only 2 years old, walked into my parents' living room. She was immediately fascinated by the smiling log with eyes staring back at her. And things only got better from there!
After teaching her the famous "Cagatió" song, she sang along with gusto and eagerly started hitting the log with a stick. In that moment, she looked like she’d been possessed—it was absolutely hilarious! Then the magic happened: Tió pooped presents. She couldn’t believe it.
She squealed with joy as she opened her gifts and helped everyone else make Tió poop theirs. The night turned into a whirlwind of laughter, chaos, and sneaky attempts to grab the stick for another chance to coax more gifts from Tió. By 3 a.m., we finally decided Tió had earned his rest and sent him back to the forest—until next Christmas.
I’ve been celebrating Tió de Nadal since I can remember—at home, at school, with friends—but that night, through my cousin’s eyes, I finally understood the magic. Since then, the Pooping Log has become the heart of our family’s Christmas celebration.
Fast forward 25 years, and my husband and I find ourselves in Chicago, far from family but determined not to miss out on the tradition. For our first Christmas in the city, we crafted our own Tió.
It didn’t take long for everyone who saw him to fall in love. Soon, friends started asking for their own Tió. We made a few as gifts, but then friends of friends started requesting them too. That’s when we decided to open our Etsy shop.
But we didn’t stop there. Our mission to spread the love for Catalan holiday traditions continues to grow. In addition to handcrafted Tió de Nadal, we now offer our own branded apparel and accessories—celebrating the humor and charm of the Pooping Log. We’ve also started importing traditional caganers: whimsical nativity figurines depicting famous characters or everyday people in, let’s say, a very natural pose—pooping. These cheeky figures are a beloved part of Catalan nativity scenes, symbolizing humility, humanity, and a touch of humor during the holiday season.
Tió de Nadal, or The Pooping Log, holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a tradition we’re committed to preserving and sharing, whether in Catalonia, the U.S., or even Timbuktu!
Whether you’ve grown up with these traditions or are discovering them for the first time, we’d love to craft your family’s very own Tió de Nadal or Pooping Log. Let’s spread the magic—and the laughs—together!
