In Catalan Christmas tradition, the wooden log that children hit to release presents is called Tió de Nadal.
Tió de Nadal means “Christmas log.” Families traditionally bring the log into the home, give it a painted face and cover it with a blanket. Children may feed it in the days before Christmas. On the appointed day, they strike the covered log with sticks while singing a traditional song, and gifts or sweets are revealed beneath the blanket.
The custom is especially associated with Catalonia and parts of Aragon. The log is often affectionately called Caga Tió, a name referring to its comic idea of “defecating” presents. That playful wording is part of the folklore rather than a description of an ordinary gift box.
Tió de Nadal is distinct from the caganer, another Catalan Christmas figure that appears in nativity scenes.