Logs can poop gifts! Who knew?

Press release of the day is from Tucson's Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum and includes this detail:

Unique to the event is the Traditional Tio' de Nadal of Catalonia ("Pooping Log"), a Catalan tradition dating back several centuries. Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), the family brings a tio' (log) into the house, covers it with a blanket so he will not be cold and feeds it every night until Christmas Day. On Christmas Day the children continuously hit it with a stick while they sing a song so it will poop gifts (usually treats). If the child has been good, they get treats. If they were bad, it poops sardines. Hence the name Caga Tio' (Poop Log). Children (and children at heart) attending Luminaria Night will be able to hit the log to see if they were good or bad this year!

Here's the whole release, for the Living History Luminaria Night coming up this Saturday, Dec. 12:

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum (Presidio Museum) will celebrate the season colonial style at its Living History Luminaria Night on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 6-9 pm. Localists receive a 50% discount on admission to the event.

The Presidio comes to life lit in Luminarias. Visitors will enjoy Mexican hot chocolate and cookies, fresh tortillas cooked on the comal, The Night Before Christmas read in English and Spanish, and a “make-your-own holiday decoration” craft area. Holiday music will be played by a variety of musicians: Betty Creegan on guitar, Todd Martin on the organ, and the Bill Brinckerhoff Flute Ensemble. Living history interpreters will be on hand, and soldiers will practice their drills and fire a four-pound bronze cannon, a replica of the cannons used at the Presidio in the late 1700s.

Unique to the event is the Traditional Tio' de Nadal of Catalonia ("Pooping Log"), a Catalan tradition dating back several centuries. Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), the family brings a tio' (log) into the house, covers it with a blanket so he will not be cold and feeds it every night until Christmas Day. On Christmas Day the children continuously hit it with a stick while they sing a song so it will poop gifts (usually treats). If the child has been good, they get treats. If they were bad, it poops sardines. Hence the name Caga Tio' (Poop Log). Children (and children at heart) attending Luminaria Night will be able to hit the log to see if they were good or bad this year!

The Museum Shop will also be open for unique holiday shopping ideas. This is a unique opportunity to visit the Presidio Museum in the evening. Enjoy old world holiday décor and ambiance during this beautiful Southwest tradition.

Admission to Living History Days is included in the $3 museum admission price. Children 14 and under and Presidio Trust members are free. Living History Days are normally held every second Saturday from 10 am – 3 pm each month from October through April. The event this month on Dec. 12 is The Presidio’s Annual Luminaria Night, which is held from 6-9 pm.

The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum is located on the northeast corner of the original Presidio. The Museum is a re-creation of the Tucson Presidio built in 1775. Docent tours give visitors a glimpse of what life in the Presidio was like for soldiers and other residents. Additional highlights include a 150-year-old Sonoran row house and a prehistoric pit house. The Presidio Museum is managed by the Tucson Presidio Trust for Historic Preservation, a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to guide and aid in the interpretation of history at the Presidio San Agustín through research, education and living history experiences.