Christmas is a time for giving, which can be wonderful, but let’s not pretend that it doesn’t also come with its own set of headaches. It’s wicked expensive for a start, plus we all know at least one or two awkward people who it is next to impossible to buy for. If you are anything like me you will end up searching high and low for weeks before saying “fuck it” and ending up buying them a selection box at the till. No one leaves this situation happy; you get the guilt of seemingly putting no thought into their gift, and they get another selection box to add to the pile.

Empty calories and no karma

It’s in the bag!

So, this year, I have a proposal for you to avoid the embarrassment of lackluster gift giving. Most of you will be familiar with TENI from all the good work they do to further trans* rights in this country. What you may not know is that they are running out of funding. This is a big shame, because obviously money for these things doesn’t grow on trees, and without it they can’t continue to do all their (incredibly important) work.

No calories and squillions of karma points!

So how does this fit in with your present buying predicament? Well, this year they have had the very bright idea to start selling Trans Activist Gift Bags! It’s a genius plan really. For €20.13 you get a TENI t-shirt (which is pretty styling even by itself), a years membership to TENI and a trans* activist wrist band (just like all the cool kids wear!) And for an extra tenner on top of that you can get a copy of ‘Touching the Surface: Trans Voices in Ireland.

Sweet

Pretty sweet deal right? It’s the perfect gift for those of us who would maybe like to be more active, but due to family and work and such we just don’t have the time. It’s also perfect for the people in your life who would like to be a better ally. And every purchase is helping keep TENI going, so you know that’s good Christmas karma. So go on, give them a go. Tis the season after all.

You can purchase your TENI gift bags here