by Jasper, age 8 from Savannah, asks Tio de Nadal about Catalonia’s unusual Christmas log tradition.
A Letter to Tio de Nadal from Jasper in Savannah, Georgia
Dear Tio de Nadal, my name is Jasper and I am eight years old. I live in Savannah, Georgia, and my cousin told me you are a log that gets hit with sticks, which sounds unbelievable, so here are my questions:
- Do children feed you every night before Christmas so you get full?
- Do children hit you with sticks to make you poop out presents?
- Do children sing special songs while they hit you?
- Do you bring big gifts, or only small ones like nuts and sweets?
- Do you come on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day?
- Do you have actual legs to walk around?
- Do you only visit Catalonia in Spain?
- Do you really poop out candy and small gifts?
- Do you wear a red hat like Santa?
- Wait, you’re a log? Do you actually have a face and little legs?
- Geography: Catalonia is a region in northeastern Spain. What major Mediterranean city is its capital?
- Social Studies: What is the cultural origin of the Tio de Nadal tradition, and how does it reflect Catalonia’s distinct regional identity within Spain?
Confused but curious, Jasper
Tio de Nadal Writes Back
Do children feed you every night before Christmas so you get full?
Yes, Jasper, Catalan children feed me a little bit each night in the weeks leading up to Christmas, covering me with a small blanket to keep me warm and cozy.
Do children hit you with sticks to make you poop out presents?
That’s exactly right, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children gently hit me with sticks while singing, and small gifts and treats magically appear from underneath my blanket.
Do children sing special songs while they hit you?
Yes, there are traditional songs sung during the tapping, cheerful tunes asking me kindly to produce good things and not to leave anything unpleasant behind.
Do you bring big gifts, or only small ones like nuts and sweets?
Mostly small treats, Jasper, things like nuts, dried fruit, and little candies, rather than large toys or gadgets.
Do you come on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day?
Traditionally Christmas Day or the night before, depending on the family, since I am considered a fun addition to the bigger Christmas celebration rather than the only gift giving moment.
Do you have actual legs to walk around?
Not really, no. I am simply a hollowed out log with a painted smiling face, propped up on two little wooden legs that stay perfectly still.
Do you only visit Catalonia in Spain?
Mostly Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, where this particular tradition has been especially beloved for generations.
Do you really poop out candy and small gifts?
In the spirit of the tradition, yes, small treats are hidden underneath my blanket ahead of time, ready to be found once the tapping and singing are finished.
Do you wear a red hat like Santa?
I am usually shown wearing a small red Catalan style cap called a barretina, rather than a full Santa hat.
Wait, you’re a log? Do you actually have a face and little legs?
Exactly, Jasper. I really am just a friendly wooden log with a painted face and two little stick legs propped underneath, which I know sounds unusual compared to other Christmas traditions.
Geography: Catalonia is a region in northeastern Spain. What major Mediterranean city is its capital?
Catalonia sits in the northeastern corner of Spain, and its lively capital city, Barcelona, sits right on the Mediterranean coast, famous for its unique architecture and culture.
Social Studies: What is the cultural origin of the Tio de Nadal tradition, and how does it reflect Catalonia’s distinct regional identity within Spain?
The Tio de Nadal tradition reflects Catalonia’s own distinct culture and language, Catalan, which is separate from Spanish and spoken proudly across the region. Traditions like mine help keep that unique regional identity alive, passed down through generations as a fun, physical, and very Catalan part of the Christmas season.
