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 “Tió de Nadal” or pooping log is a beloved Catalan custom.
sbk_20d pictures via Getty Images
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 holiday traditions.
Befana the Witch: Italy’s gift-giving crone
In Italy, Santa isn’t the only one handing out gifts. Befana, a broomstick-riding witch, delivers candy and presents to children on Jan. 5, Epiphany Eve. Legend has it she missed the birth of Jesus and has been searching for him ever since, leaving treats for kids as a sort of cosmic apology.
Befana is especially popular in Southern Italy, where she’s celebrated with warmth and humor. Her grandmotherly image and unconventional story make her a standout in the holiday pantheon – less ho-ho-ho, more hocus pocus.
The Mari Lwyd: Wales’ singing horse skull
Wales might win the award for the creepiest Christmas custom. The Mari Lwyd is a centuries-old tradition featuring a horse skull dressed up with ribbons and mounted on a pole.
Accompanied by a group of singers and performers, the Mari Lwyd visits homes, pubs and other gathering places, challenging those inside to a humorous and clever rhyming competition, almost like a rap battle. The Mari Lwyd’s goal is to win entry into the house and to be welcomed with food, drinks and merriment.
The origins of the Mari Lwyd predate Christianity, but in Wales, it’s a beloved tradition now intricately linked to Christmas.