The Incredible Squatch: The Holiday Card that Never Saw the Light of Day

Holiday Cards in July, and the Story of the Weirdest Thing I’ve Ever Been Paid to Draw

At JayRay, we rarely take ourselves too seriously, and the same goes for our holiday cards.

Proof?

It was late 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic was months away, a certain superhero mega-franchise continued to dominate pop culture and I’d been a graphic designer at JayRay for just over a year. On this particular day, I sat in my office, drawing on a tablet — a routine activity and tool of the trade. The subject matter, however, was a little different than what I’d expected at my super-serious agency job.

I remember thinking to myself, “This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever been paid to draw.”

How did I come to find myself meticulously rendering this monstrosity of an Incredible-Hulk-meets-Sasquatch-meets-Pacific-Northwest-hipster-meets-Santa-Claus? I was working on our annual holiday card, of course.

Traditional isn’t really our style when it comes to our agency cards. Those who have been on the recipient list for a while might recall Jack the Bear’s Dry Winter Night or our take on 2020’s new normal.

This concept was one of our most ambitious: a set of trading cards mashing up infamous local characters — mythical or otherwise — with iconic superheroes. The PNW’s beloved forest cryptid reimagined as a hulking mass of green muscle. Tacoma’s own Jack the Bear and Ivan the Gorilla souped up with capes and origin stories. The trading card mechanics were the best part: instead of the full set, everyone would get a random assortment. We wanted people to post their cards online, compare who got which character and hunt down the ones they were missing. A little FOMO, wrapped in a bow.

While the concept was ultimately scrapped, I still think about the Incredible Squatch seven years later. Not because the idea was perfect, but because it was fearless. Nobody in that room asked whether a superhero Bigfoot was on brand. We just asked whether it was fun, and then we chased it.

I remember thinking to myself, “This is the weirdest thing I’ve ever been paid to draw.”

What’s the secret to a great holiday card?

Sometimes it’s the one with a genuine message of holiday cheer. Sometimes it’s the one that starts with “okay, hear me out.” Either way, here’s what we look for:

1. Start with a spark. The best concepts come from asking “what if” and not immediately talking yourself out of the answer.
2. Let it be a little ridiculous. The cards people remember are rarely the safe ones.
3. Build in a reason to share. Warmth, delight or just something too weird not to show a coworker.

We can make yours too.

Whether it’s a print piece, a digital experience or a full-blown trading card scheme, we love building holiday moments as unique as your brand. Packages typically range from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity, delivery method and production needs. We’ll work with you to find a budget-friendly option that still delivers joy (and ROI).

Ready to sleigh this year’s message?

The holidays may feel far away, but we believe that big ideas take time. Let’s talk now, before your CEO asks for a custom microsite and you wish you’d started in July.

Whether it manifests as a heartfelt greeting card, a choose-your-own-adventure game or bulging green muscles ripping a flannel to shreds, we’re ready to ship the perfect holiday card for your brand, budget and audience. Drop us a note at [email protected] and let’s make some merry.