I’m happy for you and not jealous at all: V-Day couples activities
So Valentine’s Day is here, and you get to spend it frolicking around with your other half and basking in mutual affection. That’s awesome. No, really. Everyone at the Thresher is so happy for you. Especially me, whose Valentine’s plans entail a very romantic Zoom call with my long-distance partner. Though I can’t participate myself, I’ve rounded up some activities for you lucky little monsters to do with your sweethearts. Go forth, enjoy, and remember to send your single friends an apology Venmo on the 15th.
Purple Glaze
Located in Rice Village, Purple Glaze allows you to paint and decorate premade ceramics, which will then be fired into functional and personal keepsakes. Make surprise gifts for each other (couple’s mugs, anyone?) or collaborate on a joint masterpiece. According to Purple Glaze’s website, pieces are ready for pickup in five days.
Murder By The Book
There’s nothing more romantic than supporting independent businesses. A great pick for the amateur sleuth or bibliophile, Murder By The Book is a specialty bookstore that’s been around since 1980. They boast a huge collection of crime and mystery novels and a super charming ambiance. You and your honey can pick out books for each other, then go home to cuddle and read. Also, they sell puzzles!
A Lego Valentine’s
This one’s for all the cuffed engineers, which is a miracle in itself. In the daytime, enjoy a stroll around the Houston Botanical Gardens to check out their new exhibit Nature Connects, which is running through Feb. 19. The exhibit features larger-than-life sculptures of plants and animals made entirely of Lego bricks, and tickets are only $8 with your Rice ID. Back home, work together to build a Lego bouquet or pair of roses for a nerdy and longer-lasting twist on the traditional gift of flowers.
Cidercade
A $10 entry ticket gets you unlimited plays on over 275 arcade games, including some real classics. There’s lots of opportunities to play co-op or head-to-head, so you can either test your teamwork or remind your boo who’s boss. You can grab food from on-site food trucks and hard cider (hence the name) from the bar. Heads up: Cidercade is 21+ starting at 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.
Movies with a Twist
A movie? For Valentine’s Day? Groundbreaking. But, hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If you’re looking to spice up your date night film-watching, head to Moonstruck Drive In for a retro vibe (and maybe hit a 50’s diner for V-Day dinner) or Rooftop Cinema Club for a spectacular view — just don’t forget a blanket. Both theaters are showing “The Notebook” on Feb. 14, and Rooftop Cinema Club is also doing “Love & Basketball.”
More from The Rice Thresher
New student center to ‘complete’ central quad
Breezeways, arches and outdoor seating will abound at the Moody Center Complex for Student Life set to break ground May 8. The 75,000-square-foot complex was designed by architecture firm Olson Kundig and has an expected completion date of fall 2027.
Best study snacks to fuel your finals
Finals are creeping up on us, and that means hunting season for the best study snacks on and off campus. Below are some that are sure to see you through the most enigmatic paper prompts and puzzling practice questions.
Head over handlebars: a brief history of Beer Bike accidents
In the first heat of the women’s race in this year’s Beer Bike, Melissa Geng said she was biking faster than she ever had, adrenaline pumping through her veins. All was going well, until she crashed into the fence of the alumni viewing area at the turn of her second lap.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.