Neither did Christmas in Thailand.
We spent a few Christmases overseas. Our first December / Christmas away from home was in Thailand.
It was warm. Tropical. Humid enough that nobody was dreaming of wool sweaters or snowflakes.
Our Christmas dinner included green curry.
A Thai waiter sang Feliz Navidad.
We built a snowman out of sand and gave him a Santa hat.
The next year we stayed in Malaysia for the holiday and made a special trip to a street in Kuala Lumpur known for carrying artificial Christmas trees because apparently it had never occurred to us that moving halfway around the world might complicate our annual decorating traditions.
None of it made sense.
And all of it was wonderful.
Looking back, I remember very little about the gifts.
I remember the stories.
The waiter singing, the sandy snowman in Thailand.
The hunt for a Christmas tree in Malaysia.
The insanely decorated malls.
The way our family laughed at the ridiculousness of trying to recreate a Texas Christmas in tropical weather.
Maybe that's why I've always had a soft spot for Christmas in July.
It makes absolutely no sense.
It's hot outside.
Nobody needs a blanket coat right now because of weather.
Nobody is drinking hot cocoa.
There are no Christmas lights hanging from the storefront.
And yet, every year, it's one of our favorite traditions at Sapana.
Partly because it's our biggest sale of the year.
And partly because it gives us an excuse to revisit pieces that deserve a second look.
For Christmas in July, we pull a collection of coats in festive reds and greens—the kinds of pieces that would look right at home in a holiday card.
We also include a few surprises!
Some are pieces I've always loved that somehow haven't found their person yet.
Christmas in July is their moment.
Not because they're less special.
Because timing is funny.
The right thing sometimes arrives at the wrong time.
And sometimes the right person arrives later than expected.
So this year we're celebrating Christmas in July the same way we celebrated Christmas in Thailand.
With a little creativity.
A little flexibility.
A few things that don't quite belong together.
And a reminder that some of life's sweetest memories come from the traditions that make the least sense.
If you've had your eye on a blanket coat, this is the time.
Our Christmas in July Collection* is 40% off all month long.
Or until these one-of-a-kind pieces find their homes.
*not every coat will be on sale - only those in our Christmas in July Edit.
The Edit goes live, Thursday, July 2nd at 7:30p CST.
At Sapana, we believe the best pieces carry stories. Some have traveled halfway around the world. Some have waited patiently for the right person. And some are finally having their Christmas moment in the middle of July.