The Tió de Nadal (roughly "Christmas log"), also known as "Tió" ("log"), or "Tronca" ("trunk") is a mythological personage in Catalan mythology related to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia.

Physically, the tió de Nadal found in many Catalan homes at the holiday season is a hollow log of about 0.3m length, typically standing up on two or four little stick legs, and with a broadly smiling face painted on the higher of the two ends, enhanced by a little red sock hat (a minature of the traditional Catalan barretina) and often a three-dimensional nose.

Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th), one gives the tió a little bit to "eat" every night, and usually covers him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night.

On Christmas day or, depending on the particular household, during a Christmas party, one puts the tió partly into the fireplace and orders it to "poo". (The fire part of this tradition is no longer as widespread as it once was, since many modern homes do not have a fireplace.) To make him "poo" one beats him with sticks, while singing various songs of Tió de Nadal.

The tió doesn't poo out big objects (those are brought by the Three Wise Men), only candies, nuts and torrons. Depending the location in Catalonia, it poos dried figs, and when it stops pooing (because nothing is left) it poos a salt herring, a head of garlic, an onion, or it wees on the ground. What comes out of the tió is a communal rather than an individual gift, shared by everyone present.

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This is just too good to be kitsch! And I though el crapo was the height of everything I ever saw around Xmas in Catalunya! They do have a great sense of humour those Catalans after all............

After "pooing" all that,it's no surprise it has a rather satisfied smile on its face.Just think,if you had a few dozen logs all lined up you could open a restaurant........

I have been telling people about the "El Crapo" figurines, to be met with total disbelief.
The Christmas Log is a great follow up.  ;D PB

After extensive research  ;D - here you are......

No, you've not gone potty - these really are famous figures doing their number twos.
The figurines on the pan are a Christmas tradition in Catalonia where they are known as caganers.
The Pope doing his business is just one of dozens of famous people caught with their pants down by the craftsmen of a workshop in the Catalonian city of Estartit.

They may play like it sometimes but do Barcelona footballers Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Puyol and coach Frank Rijkaard, centre, really deserve this?

The tradition of caganers goes back to the 18th century. The defecating dolls are hidden in nativity scenes to symbolise fertility, hope and prosperity for the future.

Happy Christmas and here's mud in your eye.

And guess what - there is a website too - http://www.caganer.com/

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