Tió de Nadal

The Tió de Nadal (Catalan pronunciation: [tiˈo ðə nəˈðal]; 'Christmas Log'), also known simply as tió ('log'), soca or tronc(a) ('trunk'), is a character in Catalan mythology relating to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia, Majorca (known as Nadaler[1]), Aragon, Occitania (Southern France) and Andorra.

The form of the Tió de Nadal found in many Catalan homes during the holiday season is a hollow log about 30 cm (12 in) long.

Recently, the Tió has come to stand up on two or four stick legs with a broad smiling face painted on its higher end, enhanced by a red sock hat (a miniature of the traditional barretina) and often a three-dimensional nose.

Those accessories have been added only in recent times, altering the more traditional and rough natural appearance of a piece of wood.

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

Caga tió, ametlles i torró, i, si no vols cagar, et donaré un cop de bastó!