If your family loves quirky traditions, few are as joyfully bizarre, and kid-delighting, as the Catalonian Tió de Nadal, often lovingly called the “Pooping Log.” Part craft project, part story time, part festive silliness, this tradition turns an ordinary piece of wood into a magical creature that “poops” out treats on Christmas. Yes, really! And my kids adore it.
How to Make Your Own Pooping Log for Christmas
My kids LOVE the Poop Log. They love feeding it and keeping it warm. And then getting to whack it with a stick in order to “coax” out the poop. I mean, who wouldn’t love this cute little guy who poops out chocolate?
A Little Backstory: What IS a Pooping Log?
The Tió de Nadal tradition comes from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain. Families would bring home a small log in early December, set it near the fireplace, and “feed” it bits of fruit or bread so it could stay warm and grow strong. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children would gather around, sing special songs, and tap or “encourage” the log to release the goodies it had been “saving.”
While the roots are folkloric, the spirit of the tradition is about care, imagination, and the magic of generosity. Kids learn that kindness such as feeding and caring for the log brings joy (in the form of treats) with just enough silliness to make it truly unforgettable. Core memories right here!
You can read the whole backstory here. And weirdly enough, it isn’t the only “shit-themed” Christmas tradition that Catalon celebrates! They also have a dude that poops behind the nativity! Seriously!
How to Make Your Own DIY Pooping Log
In Catalonia, you can buy a Pooping Log at the store like how we buy our cats Advent Calendars from Trader Joe’s! However, it would be RARE to find a Pooping Log for sale in the United States. But, the good news? You can make your own Pooping Log with simple craft supplies and a quick trip to the backyard!
What You’ll Need
- A small log, 12-18 inches long
- Two sturdy branch slices or wooden dowels for legs
- Red felt for the traditional hat or a Santa Hat
- A black marker or acrylic paint for the face
- Googly eyes (always recommended!)
- A small scrap of fabric or mini blanket
- A drill
- Hot glue gun
- Fabric or small blanket
- Chocolate treats or tiny toys
Step 1: Find a Log
Pick a log with personality! Knots and twists make it extra charming. If you want your Poop Log to stand, glue, epoxy, or screw two small wooden dowels to the bottom as legs. If not, it can just lounge like a legless, little creature.
I found my log on our local Buy Nothing group. I told the group what I was doing and what I was looking for, and someone had the perfect size log! The group had a good laugh and everyone wanted me to share photos of my completed Pooping Log!
My father-in-law then drilled two spots to attach legs. I believe he used an old broom stick for the legs. And he hollowed out a spot in the bum to allow the Pooping Log to … “poop.” I’ve been meaning to paint that area brown … maybe I’ll get to it this year.
Step 2: Give It a Face
On one flat end of the log, paint or draw a big smiling face. Draw on eyes or glue on googly eyes. Add eyelashes or rosy cheeks with a dab of pink paint or crayon if you want a “girl.” This is the part where kids love to participate! No two logs ever look the same.
My husband, the professional artist, drew on the mouth. We added the red nose and then glued on the googly eyes! (Because googly eyes make everything fun!) He instantly came to life!
Step 3: Craft the Hat
Cut a triangle of red felt and roll it into a cone, securing it with hot glue. This becomes the traditional barretina, the Catalan red hat. Pop it on your Tió’s head.
Or … find an old Santa’s hat. I had an extra Santa hat in a baby-size from when my kids were little, so we just repurposed it for the Pooping Log!
Step 4: Make Its Bed
Your Poop Log needs a little blanket to “sleep” under. This also conveniently covers the treats you’ll sneak underneath on celebration day. Use fabric scraps, a dish towel, or festive holiday cloth.
We use an old, red, corduroy blanket.
Step 5: Set Up Its Cozy Corner
Choose a spot where your Poop Log will “live” during the season – a bookcase, fireplace hearth, or side table. The cozier the better. Kids can add stuffed animals, pinecones, or tiny treats around it to make it feel like a special guest.
Ours used to live inside, but the new kittens decided to use the Pooping Log as a scratching post, so now Pooping Log lives outside on the front porch with his hat and cozy blanket. I wonder what the delivery drivers think …
How to Celebrate With Your Kids
This is the heart of the tradition: the daily relationship your kids build with their new wooden friend. And then, their favorite part, getting to whack Pooping Log with a stick, singing a song, and enjoying the pooped out treats.
Feed the Pooping Log
Each night leading up to the holiday, kids can give the log a small “meal” such as a piece of fruit, a cookie, or a handful of cereal. It’s symbolic, so you can remove the food after bedtime, but kids love imagining the log “eating” it. We usually leave some crumbs to really fuel their imaginations!
Tuck It In
Cover your Pooping Log with its cozy blanket before bed. Tell stories about where it came from and what it hopes to bring. You can make up small magical moments – maybe the log wiggles a bit at night, moves around the house, or leaves tiny wood shavings behind.
Sing the Songs
Traditionally, families sing a silly song asking the log to poop treats. You can keep it authentic or invent your own kid-friendly chant. There’s also a prayer, but since we’re not religious, we obviously skip that part. The magic is in the joyful absurdity.
“Pooping log,
log of Christmas
don’t poop salted herrings,
they are too salty
Poop nougats,
they are much better!
Pooping log,
almonds and nougats,
If you won’t poop, I’ll hit you with the stick.”
The Big Moment: The Pooping of the Log
When the big day arrives (Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, New Years, really, whenever you want!), gather the kids around. Sing the song, whack the log, hide little candy, nuts, small toys, or notes of kindness beneath the blanket when no one is looking.
In Catalonia, kids give the log a “gentle” tap with a stick while singing – which you can keep or swap for clapping or dancing. When the blanket is lifted… hooray! The log has “pooped” goodies for everyone.
As I said, my kids really like to “whack” the Pooping Log with a stick – we use a cardboard tube left over from wrapping paper. It’s pretty “gentle” because it isn’t a real stick and usually falls apart, but my kids really like to go for it!
Why Kids Love This Tradition
The number one reason? Candy!
If you’re looking for a holiday tradition that sparks giggles, brings everyone together, and turns an everyday object into pure magic, making your own DIY Pooping Log might be the most memorable project you take on this year!