The Wondermark 2008 Holiday Store is open.

Whoo, boy, I’ve got a lot to talk about today. Several new products, some promotional offers, and a teaser item. Stick with me, won’t you?

First off the bat: 2009 Calendars are now available for pre-order. I know a lot of people have been waiting for this, because it’s a limited-edition product — now you can stake your claim. (The calendars won’t actually start shipping for a few weeks yet.) If you don’t know what all the ruckus is about, don’t worry — I’ll post a lot more about this product in the coming days and weeks. It’s a really special item.

Come to mention it, I’ve got a brand-new, wholly redesigned store! It’s a quantum leap forward from the old store, and you now have the option to choose your preferred shipping method, bookmark individual products, forward items to friends via email, and add items to an Amazon Universal Wish List. The new store represents a renewal of my commitment to customer service as well. You can even call me on the phone if you have a question about a product or an order! I am here for you, is what I’m saying.

And there’s also a new thing called the Wondermark Circular, which is a quarterly store-only newsletter containing discount codes, information about new products, the occasional flight of fancy and the like. You have the opportunity to sign up for the Circular whenever you buy something from the store: just check the box indicating you’d like to receive “occasional emails about new products, promotions and other news.” The box is unchecked by default, ’cause I ain’t runnin’ no spam operation.

This holiday season, if you order $40 or more worth of any merchandise, I’ll toss in a free one of these:

The Banded Print Sets contain 13 individual prints of some of my favorite comics. Normally $10 each, one of these is free automatically with any order of $40 or more (excluding taxes & shipping; while supplies last). Plus — any order of $75 or more will get all 3 sets free. You don’t have to do anything; it’s all automatic. (This offer also applies to Wondermark T-shirts & posters purchased from TopatoCo — to claim it, just forward me your emailed receipt.)

Did you know I have a whole line of greeting cards? Wondermark holiday cards have been enormously popular every year they’ve been offered. I’m pleased to announce three new card designs for this season: one each of holidays, thank-you, and blank inside (for any occasion). This brings the total number of designs on offer up to 21, and you can mix-&-match your order however you like among all the designs.

There’s also a new desk-easel option for framed comic prints:

And what are these?!

My wife Nikki — a special-effects makeup artist currently working in puppet fabrication for the TV show Robot Chicken — has sculpted and cast these decorative resin pins:

Every pin is hand-painted by Nikki, and the set is available this holiday season only. I expect every one of you to put the little hat directly on top of the little bear, but be warned: the hat won’t fit properly at all.

Finally, a sneak peek at something coming soon:

This will be a poster available from TopatoCo in the coming weeks. It’s, of course, a huge poster-sized version of the “Beard Spotting Guide” from my latest strip collection Beards of our Forefathers, and I think it looks pretty dang boss.

Are you following me on Twitter? Twitter followers got a sneak peek at this poster about a week ago, just one of the many cool tidbits they’re privy to — like a first look at my next book, chances at marked-down nick-and-dent merchandise, or (just the other day) a limited-time discount code good for anything in my new store. If that sort of stuff interests you, it’s worth your while to follow me!

And, before I forget, the domestic U.S. ordering deadline for guaranteed Christmas delivery is December 14th. After the 14th, you’ve probably still got a few days, but I’m not making any promises. (Priority Mail shipping helps.) International orders should really be placed as soon as possible; I can’t make any guarantees. Canada Post is trying to set new records for slowness all the time, as far as I can tell.

Whew! If you’ve made it this far, congratulations. To reward your persistence, enter the code “IREADITALL” at checkout to receive 5% off everything in the new store through midnight Thursday.