Episode 395: Wreathing Havoc

Episode notes

It’s our last episode of 2018! We’ll be off next week for the holidays. Paul files suit against his wife, Lizzie. Paul loves to decorate for Christmas but Lizzie doesn’t. He wants to add more to their home in order to create some Christmas magic for their kid. But Lizzie thinks their tree is enough. Who’s right? Who’s wrong?

EVIDENCE

Excerpt from the article Lizzie submitted about the Caganer:

“Moreover, in certain regions of Spain, for example in Catalonia, a Caganer is included in the scene – the figurine of a defecating man. The reason for this is unknown, but it’s purpose might simply be to have a laugh or to bring good luck, as the Caganer is fertilizing the earth.

The Catalonian culture features another lovely tradition that has to do with faeces. A fortnight before Christmas, a caga tió, or ‘defecating log’ is created… For this, a small log is hollowed out and given a face.

In the fourteen days that precede Christmas, the log is ‘fed’ with sweets, fruits and nuts. At Christmas eve, the whole family gathers to sings traditional songs during which the log is hit with a stick. When beaten hard enough, the log will ‘defecate’ and spill its contents.”

The full article on Christmas Decorations and Cultural Differences can be found here.

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Thank you to Travis Marttila for naming this week’s case! To suggest a title for a future episode, like Judge John Hodgman on Facebook. We regularly put out a call for submissions.

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