By Robin Donovan, via The Associated Press When it comes to holiday traditions, Santa and his reindeer are being upstaged by some quirky and unexpected traditions around the world. From a gift-pooping log in Spain to a mythical cat that punishes lazy Icelanders, these traditions show just how creative and wild the holiday spirit can be. Catalonia’s pooping log This might be one of the most bizarre holiday traditions out there: The “Tió de Nadal” or pooping log .
This beloved Catalan custom involves a wooden log decorated with a face that is fed treats throughout December and kept warm under a blanket. On Christmas Eve, children beat the log with sticks and sing traditional songs to coax it into pooping candy and gifts. You’re not alone if you’re thinking, “What the heck?” But for Catalan families, the Tió de Nadal is a cherished part of the holiday season, blending humor, joy and a unique sense of festive creativity.
The Yule cat: Iceland’s giant feline enforcer In Iceland, Christmas comes with a furry twist - and it’s not the cuddly kind. Meet the mythical Yule cat , said to prowl the snowy countryside looking for anyone who hasn’t received new clothes before Christmas. According to the legend, workers who finished processing the autumn wool before Christmas would receive new garments as a reward.
If they failed, the Yule cat would eat them up. This beloved but slightly ominous holiday legend adds a unique and somewhat eerie flavor to Icelandic holida.
