A Catalan Christmas: The unique traditions of the Tió de Nadal and the Caganer

With the arrival of the Christmas season, festive markets spring to life all across Catalonia.

In cities large and small, and even in many villages, Christmas trees, decorations, and twinkling lights transform the streets into a magical display of holiday cheer.

But two icons stand out in these markets: the Caganer and the Tió de Nadal. What are these curious traditions, and where do they come from?

Tió de Nadal

In Catalonia, unlike in most countries, Santa Claus does not visit on December 24. Instead, the gift-giving duties are taken up by the Tió de Nadal, also known as the Caga Tió or simply El Tió. 

The Tió is essentially a " pooping log " - a wooden log that, when Christmas arrives, dressed in a traditional red hat and painted with a cheerful, smiling face, "poops" presents for the little ones. 

More importantly, for the Tió to "poop," it must be well-fed. Starting on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), children are encouraged to feed the log a little every day to keep it well-nourished and ready for the big event.

Careful attention is also given to the Tió’s comfort, as children cover it with a blanket to ensure it stays warm during the cold winter months.

The climax of the tradition - the appearance of the gifts - occurs on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. After weeks of feasting on offerings, the tió is ready to deliver.

To help things along, Catalan children grab sticks and enthusiastically whack the Tió while singing a special song.

Finally, the Tió’s blanket is lifted, and sweets or small presents are revealed, delighting the children.

El Caganer

If you visit Christmas markets in Catalonia, you’ll notice Caganers everywhere. These figurines portray traditional peasants wearing the iconic red cap called a barretina—and they are, quite literally, depicted in the act of pooping. 

The term Caganer translates to "pooper," and these unique figures have been part of Catalan culture since at least the 18th century. Traditionally, they are placed in nativity scenes—yes, right in the stable alongside baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and the donkey. 

The roots of this peculiar custom lie in pagan rituals, much like many of our festive traditions, which evolved from celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Over time, the tradition expanded beyond the original peasant figurines. Today, Caganers are often crafted to resemble celebrities, adding a humorous twist to the practice.

The company that played a significant role in popularizing celebrity Caganers is Caganer.com, which now offers around 700 different designs featuring famous faces. 

The best-selling Caganer of all time is footballer Lionel Messi. However, in recent years, the figurine of Donald Trump saw a surge in popularity, particularly around the U.S. election season. 

This year, some of the standout new Caganers include FC Barcelona’s midfielder Dani Olmo, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr., Girona FC striker Cristhian Stuani, and brothers Iñaki and Nico Williams, who both play for Athletic Bilbao.