@register.simple_tag(takes_context=True)
def value_if_active(context, return_value, view_names):
    """ {% value_if_active 'contacts' 'class="active" %}
    {% value_if_active 'contacts contacts/about' 'class="active" %}
    {% value_if_active 'contacts*' 'class="active" %} - glob syntax
    """
    request = context['request']
    try:
        view_name = resolve(request.path).view_name
        for vn in view_names.split():
            if fnmatch(view_name, vn):
                return return_value
    except Http404:
        return ''
    return ''