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2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Activists

Pick great presents for the whole crew

The holidays are right around the corner! For those hard-to-shop-for principled people in your life, use our guide to help you pick a meaningful gift that reflects your loved one’s values.

From kids learning how to share to your reserved yet radical friend, dog lovers to card-carrying union members, we have something for anyone who wants to make the world a better place. Even better, all our games are $10–$15 off when you buy now

When you choose one of our games, you have the added benefit of knowing you’re spending your money with a small, solidarity economy business during the holiday season. All our games are ethically and sustainably made, using the services of unionized and worker-owned businesses for printing and packaging. It’s just another way to show the passionate people in your life that you care about their causes.

2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Activists

Who: cat people; sci-fi and espionage aficionados
What: Space Cats Fight Fascism: The Board Game

Space Cats Fight Fascism: The Board Game is a space-themed game that pits freedom-fighter cats against fascist rats who seek to seize control of the galaxy. 

A board game box with a red cover called "Space Cats Fight Fascism."

Space Cats Fight Fascism: The Board Game

2–4 players

One hour approximate playtime

$29 (normally $40)

Who: dog lovers; post-apocalypse preppers
What: Good Dog, Bad Zombie

Good Dog, Bad Zombie is a cooperative board game where everyone plays together as a heroic dog pack, exploring a post-apocalyptic city. Sniff out scents, bark at the undead, and herd hoomans to safety. Even play the game as your own dog using our custom dog card creator!

A board game on a wooden table with a dark blue backdrop. The game is called "Good Dog, Bad Zombie" and features an illustration of dogs chasing zombies off a cliff.

Good Dog, Bad Zombie

2–4 players

45 to 60 minutes approximate playtime

$28 (normally $45)

Who: the friend who works hard and plays harder
What: STRIKE! The Game of Worker Rebellion

STRIKE! The Game of Worker Rebellion is a cooperative strategy game where players develop rebellion efforts across the in-game city to prevent mega corporations from taking over workforces. Created in collaboration with the labor rights organization Jobs with Justice. 

A board game box with a cover featuring people with fists raised, called "STRIKE"

STRIKE! The Game of Worker Rebellion

2–4 players

One hour approximate playtime

$35 (normally $50)

Who: new friends; kids learning how to share; elders
What: Rise Up: The Game of People & Power

Rise Up: The Game of People & Power is an excellent option for individuals who want to play with family and friends rather than against them. Everyone is on the same team when playing Rise Up, meaning that everybody works together to build power and create social justice success. The game comes in two versions: the strategic version designed for game nights, and the simplified version for young players. 

A board game box on a wooden table. The game cover is yellow with an illustration of a crowd of people holding a picket sign, which says "Rise up!" in all capital letters in purple.

Rise Up: The Game of People & Power

Ages 10+

2–5 players

One hour to one and a half hour approximate playtime

$35 (normally $45)

Who: your BFF’s new partner; creative problem-solvers
What: Game Changer: The Game of Activist Tactics

Game Changer: The Game of Activist Tactics is another fun, fast-paced card game that enables players to organize actions and engage their radical imaginations. It’s easy to play, with one player being the Decider each round, while other players try to convince the Decider that their protest tactic is the best possible choice. Created in collaboration with the Center for Story-based Strategy.

Two boxes of the game "Game Changer" are stacked on a table with a light blue background. The box covers are yellow and show two brown fists raised.

Game Changer: The Game of Activist Tactics

4–8 players

Ages 13+

30 to 45 minutes approximate playtime

$28 (normally $40)

Who: outspoken cousins; crossword puzzle addicts
What: Loud & Proud: The Fast-Paced Social Justice Word Game

Loud & Proud: A Social Justice Word Game is a fast-paced game that utilizes words or phrases printed on cards. Players take turns flipping cards over and facing off using the words and phrases they see. For example, one card might say, “Civil Rights Leader” and other players have to guess the correct answer based on that prompt (Rosa Parks). Correct guesses win the player a card, and the player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.

A dark gray background and the words "Loud & Proud" on the foreground with an image of a bullhorn.

Loud & Proud: The Fast-Paced Social Justice Word Game

3-6 players

Ages 12+

20 minutes approximate playtime 

$25 (normally $35)

Who: TESA Collective fans who want more fun
What: Expansion packs

In addition to our popular base game Space Cats Fight Fascism, the Secret Meowssions expansion is available to add extra depth and adventure to the gameplay that activists already love. 

For lovers of Good Dog, Bad Zombie, come not one but two expansion packs to keep the post-apocalyptic fun going: Unlikely Allies, a mini-expansion, and Weird Smells, the larger expansion pack. 

Items included in the "Secret Meowssions" expansion pack spread out on a table, including several different kinds of cards.

Secret Meowssions expansion pack

$12.50 (normally $25)

Items included in the "Weird Smells" expansion pack spread out on a table, including several different kinds of cards.

Weird Smells

$15 (normally $25)

Weird Smells & Unlikely Allies

$20 (normally $30)

Who: the whole family; a community center; your collective
What: Activist Game Night Bundle

Not sure who will like which game best? Planning on staying in for multiple game nights this winter? Get our Activist Game Night bundle, which has our three most popular games at a significant discount. Games included:

  • STRIKE! The Game of Worker Rebellion, a strategic, cooperative, and beautifully-illustrated board game about building a city-wide uprising to stop a mega-corporation’s takeover. 
  • Space Cats Fight Fascism—Exactly what it sounds like. Play as a band of rebel cats trying to stop fascist rats from taking over the galaxy! 
  • Rise Up: The Game of People and Power, a board game about building people power and winning together to create social change—even when the cards are stacked against us.
A composite photo: two people playing a board game at top, then three different board game contents below.

Activist Game Night Bundle

Includes: STRIKE! The Game of Worker Rebellion (2–4 players), Space Cats Fight Fascism (2–4 players), and Rise Up: The Game of People and Power (2–5 players)

$95 (usually $130)

Who: doting cat parents; the reserved yet radical friend
What: Raised Paw Shirt

On top of the Space Cats Fight Fascism game, we also offer these Raised Paw shirts inspired by the board game. Take your fight against fascist rats on the go.

A person with light skin wears a black tshirt with a yellow outline of a cat raising its paw on it.

Raised Paw Shirt

Unisex

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

$23 (normally $35)

Who: visionaries; the sibling who wears corrective lenses
What: Laser Eyes Shirt

Another apparel piece for individuals who enjoy Space Cats Fight Fascism. This Laser Eyes shirt might be just the thing your activist friend is looking for.

A person with dark skin wears a dark blue tshirt with an illustration of a cat wearing an orange collar with dark red light beams shining out of their eyes.

Laser Eyes Shirt

Unisex

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

$23 (normally $35)

Who: beekeepers; members of your local worker-owned co-op
What: Co-ops Rock Shirt

This “Co-ops Rock” t-shirt will help your activist friend show the world their co-op pride. Any activist will love this piece, either by itself or as a set with one or more of the Space Cats Fight Fascism apparel pieces.

A person with curly hair and medium brown skin wears a white tshirt with a honeycomb design on it, that says "Coops Rock!"

Co-ops Rock Shirt 

Unisex

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

$23 (normally $35)

Who: rabble rousers; card-carrying union members
What: STRIKE! Shirt

Show off your worker and labor pride with this awesome STRIKE! Shirt, based on one of our best-selling board games.

A light-skinned person wears a black shirt with the word "Strike!" in red on it.

STRIKE! Shirt

Unisex

Sizes: S, M, XL

$10 (normally $35)

Find something special for the activists that you love and value— shop the TESA Collective. 

All of TESA Collective’s games are ethically and sustainably made, and domestically manufactured. TESA Collective’s games are unique, fun, and strive to capture the spirit of activism. 

Want to get holiday season deals on our most popular games, and learn about the release of new games before everyone else? Sign up for our newsletter, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Don’t forget to pre-order the re-release of Co-opoly: The Game of Cooperatives, and check out our array of other games in addition to the titles mentioned in this guide.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the TESA Collective.

Support Our Work

TESA is proud to lead the development of games, tools, and programs for social change. You can support our work while having fun: buy our games about changing the world. TESA can also work with you to build a game, program, or tool for your cause!